Cocktail of the Week: Palace Hotel Tokyo Tentadora

By Olivia Cuccaro

Tentadora

1.5 oz Bacardi 8
1/2 oz beet juice
3 dashes fresh ginger juice
1 pinch cinnamon powder
1/3 oz fresh lemon juice
1/3 oz sugar syrup

To create this cocktail pour all of the ingredients noted in the attached into a Boston shaker and shake well. Double-strain into a chilled glass and garnish with an orange peel. Perfume the cocktail with a splash of orange zest.

What’s in a name? If this week’s cocktail looks tempting, its title speaks to just that: in the Spanish language, tentadora translates to temptress. Sabine Nakamura Delettre, the first female bartender at the Palace Hotel Tokyo’s Royal Bar, crafted this scarlet-hued drink after the characteristics of a strong female. The muted flavor of beet juice blends with refreshing ginger and cinnamon to complement the 45 ml of Bacardi 8, a blend of barrel-aged reserve rums with notes of apricot and vanilla. Strong indeed.

“The inspiration behind this deep, scarlet red cocktail can be summed up in three words – ‘strong, modern, woman,’” said Sabine Nakamura Delettre, in speaking to Elite Traveler. “I wanted to create a spicy cocktail that exudes the substance, strength and sensuality of a woman who fights for whatever she’s passionate about. And so Tentadora has become an especially popular choice among our female clientele. We’ve also noticed that customers who simply want to try something new and out of the ordinary have come to really enjoy it as well.”

With dark wood, rich leather and a counter restored from its 1961 debut, the Royal Bar exudes a classic sophistication that is revitalized with Delettre’s fresh and feminine take on the cocktail program.

For an opulent overnight after drinks at Royal Bar, reserve the 2,260 sq ft Palace Suite. The Palace Suite overlooks the Wadakura Fountain and Imperial Palace Plaza, featuring a master bedroom with king-size bed, vanity, dressing room, marble bathroom with dual sinks, shower and soaking tub with jets. In earthy tones with gold accents, the contemporary suite also includes a spacious living room, service kitchen, dining area with table for 12 and can be connected to a Club Deluxe King room for additional space.