San Francisco Cocktail Drink

San Francisco Cocktail

A shot of Gavin Wrigley looking to the camera in a dimly lit room
Written by
Gavin Wrigley
Andrea
Tested by
Andrea Ottaiano

Are you craving a timeless drink? This San Francisco Cocktail recipe is just what you need! Use easy ingredients to make a tasty cocktail whenever you like.

San Francisco Cocktail Recipe

Cool off with this easy San Francisco Cocktail recipe! Mix Sloe Gin, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, and bitters for a perfect fall drink.

Prep time:

1 minute

Mixing time:

1 minute

Servings:

1

Calories:

121 kl

Ingredients

  • 1 oz Sloe Gin
  • ½ oz Dry Vermouth
  • ½ oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 dashes of Orange bitters
  • 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters
  • Ice cubes
  • Cherry, for garnish

Equipment

  • Mixing Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Strainer
  • Cocktail Glass

Instructions

  • Prep Service Glass: Chill your cocktail glass with some ice cubes.
  • Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes of Orange bitters and 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters into the mixing glass.
  • Add Dry Vermouth: Measure and pour ½ oz Dry Vermouth into the mixing glass.
  • Add Sweet Vermouth: Add ½ oz Sweet Vermouth to the mix.
  • Add Sloe Gin: Pour 1 oz Sloe Gin into the mixing glass.
  • Prep Mixing Glass: Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well mixed.
  • Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish: Place a cherry into the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Sloe Gin: If you don't have Sloe Gin, you can use regular gin and add a splash of berry liqueur for a similar flavor profile. I've also tried using plum wine instead of Sloe Gin, which adds a unique twist.
  • Dry Vermouth: In a pinch, you can use white wine with a small splash of dry sherry to mimic the dryness of vermouth.
  • Sweet Vermouth: If you're out of sweet vermouth, opt for port wine or try using red wine with simple syrup to balance the flavors.
  • Bitters: If you don't have angostura and orange bitters feel free to experiment with any other kind of bitters you have available. 

Making a Pitcher of San Francisco Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of sloe gin, 4 oz of dry vermouth, and 4 oz of sweet vermouth, along with 16 dashes of orange and 8 dashes of Angostura bitters.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the sloe gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, and bitters with ice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled cocktail glasses, garnish each with a cherry, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Sloe Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and do a reasonable job mimicking gin's botanicals. Add some berry syrup for the sloe flavor.
  • Vermouth Substitute: Use non-alcoholic white grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar for dry vermouth and pomegranate juice with a bit of honey for sweet vermouth.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

The standard recipe is vegan-friendly since it contains no animal products. However, some brands may use animal-derived ingredients in their production process. Ensure that your products are vegan-certified.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
121
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
0.02
g
0
%
Sodium
 
2
mg
0
%
Carbohydrates
 
11
g
4
%
Fiber
 
0.2
g
1
%
Sugar
 
7
g
8
%
Potassium
 
46
mg
1
%
Protein
 
0.2
g
0
%
Vitamin A
 
5
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
3
mg
0
%
Iron
 
0.1
mg
1
%

 

San Francisco Cocktail Drink

San Francisco Cocktail Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Jump to Video
Cool off with this easy San Francisco Cocktail recipe! Mix Sloe Gin, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, and bitters for a perfect fall drink.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 121

Ingredients
 

  • 1 oz Sloe Gin
  • ½ oz Dry Vermouth
  • ½ oz Sweet Vermouth
  • 2 dashes of Orange bitters
  • 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters
  • Ice cubes
  • Cherry - for garnish

Equipment

  • Mixing Glass
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Stirrer or Bar Spoon
  • Strainer
  • Cocktail Glass

Instructions

  • Prep Service Glass: Chill your cocktail glass with some ice cubes.
  • Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes of Orange bitters and 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters into the mixing glass.
  • Add Dry Vermouth: Measure and pour ½ oz Dry Vermouth into the mixing glass.
  • Add Sweet Vermouth: Add ½ oz Sweet Vermouth to the mix.
  • Add Sloe Gin: Pour 1 oz Sloe Gin into the mixing glass.
  • Prep Mixing Glass: Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes.
  • Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well mixed.
  • Strain and Serve: Strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.
  • Garnish: Place a cherry into the glass for garnish.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Sloe Gin: If you don't have Sloe Gin, you can use regular gin and add a splash of berry liqueur for a similar flavor profile. I've also tried using plum wine instead of Sloe Gin, which adds a unique twist.
  • Dry Vermouth: In a pinch, you can use white wine with a small splash of dry sherry to mimic the dryness of vermouth.
  • Sweet Vermouth: If you're out of sweet vermouth, opt for port wine or try using red wine with simple syrup to balance the flavors.
  • Bitters: If you don't have angostura and orange bitters feel free to experiment with any other kind of bitters you have available. 

Making a Pitcher of San Francisco Cocktail:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 8 oz of sloe gin, 4 oz of dry vermouth, and 4 oz of sweet vermouth, along with 16 dashes of orange and 8 dashes of Angostura bitters.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the sloe gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, and bitters with ice. Stir well.
  • Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled cocktail glasses, garnish each with a cherry, and serve immediately.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

  • Sloe Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and do a reasonable job mimicking gin's botanicals. Add some berry syrup for the sloe flavor.
  • Vermouth Substitute: Use non-alcoholic white grape juice with a splash of apple cider vinegar for dry vermouth and pomegranate juice with a bit of honey for sweet vermouth.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

The standard recipe is vegan-friendly since it contains no animal products. However, some brands may use animal-derived ingredients in their production process. Ensure that your products are vegan-certified.

What is a San Francisco Cocktail?

A San Francisco Cocktail is a drink made of sloe gin, dry vermouth, sweet vermouth, and bitters. It’s easy to make because the ingredients are stirred together and garnished with a cherry. This cocktail offers a unique blend of flavors, making it stand out among other classic cocktails.

A side shot of a San Francisco cocktail in a cocktail glass on a white coaster placed on a turquoise tray surrounded by a green cloth, a bar spoon and a jigger

What is a San Francisco Cocktail made of – The ingredients

For making a San Francisco Cocktail, you’ll need these ingredients:

  • Sloe Gin: Adds a fruity, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of tartness.
  • Dry Vermouth: Contributes a dry, herbal note to balance the sweetness.
  • Sweet Vermouth: Provides a rich, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor.
  • Orange Bitters: Enhances the drink with a citrusy bitterness.
  • Angostura Bitters: Adds depth and complexity with its aromatic spices.
  • Cherry (for garnish): Offers a touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Sloe Gin, dry and sweet vermouth, orange bitters and angostura aromatic bitters laid out on a white bar table

How do you make a San Francisco Cocktail?

Learn how to create a San Francisco Cocktail with our easy steps:

1
<p>Chill your service glass.</p>

Chill your service glass.

2
<p>Add 1 dash of Angostura bitters in a mixing glass for added depth.</p>

Add 1 dash of Angostura bitters in a mixing glass for added depth.

3
<p>Add 2 dashes of orange bitters to the mixture.</p>

Add 2 dashes of orange bitters to the mixture.

4
<p>Measure and add 1/2 oz of dry vermouth to the mixing glass.</p>

Measure and add 1/2 oz of dry vermouth to the mixing glass.

5
<p>Add 1/2 oz of sweet vermouth to the mix.</p>

Add 1/2 oz of sweet vermouth to the mix.

6
<p>Finish with 1 oz of sloe gin.</p>

Finish with 1 oz of sloe gin.

7
<p>Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes to chill the drink.</p>

Fill your mixing glass with ice cubes to chill the drink.

8
<p>Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well mixed.</p>

Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well mixed.

9
<p>Strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.</p>

Strain the mixture into your chilled cocktail glass.

10
<p>Place a cherry into the glass for garnish.</p>

Place a cherry into the glass for garnish.

History and Origin of the San Francisco Cocktail

Bartenders created the San Francisco Cocktail in the early 20th century. They combined sloe gin with dry and sweet vermouths, adding bitters for extra complexity. The drink itself appeared for the first time in the “Cafe Royal Cocktail Book” published in 1937 from the United Kingdom Bartender Guild. This unique blend of flavors quickly became popular in local bars due to its balanced taste and easy preparation.

A San Francisco cocktail, shot from above, in a cocktail glass on a beige surface surrounded by Sloe Gin, dry and sweet vermouth, orange bitters and angostura aromatic bitters

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FAQ

How many calories are in a San Francisco Cocktail?
A serving typically contains around 150-200 calories, depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used.
How strong is a San Francisco Cocktail?
Its alcohol by volume (ABV) is approximately 15-20%, which translates to about 30-40 proof.
What alcohol is used in a San Francisco Cocktail?
The primary alcohol used in the cocktail is sloe gin, dry vermouth, and sweet vermouth.
In which glass is a San Francisco Cocktail served?
Bartenders usually serve a San Francisco Cocktail in a chilled cocktail glass.
What does a San Francisco Cocktail taste like?
It offers a balanced taste with fruity sweetness from the sloe gin, herbal notes from the vermouths and a hint of bitterness from the bitters.
What is the ratio of ingredients in a San Francisco Cocktail?
The typical ratio for a San Francisco Cocktail is 1 part sloe gin, 1/2 part dry vermouth, 1/2 part sweet vermouth, and a couple of dashes of orange and angostura bitters..
How is a San Francisco Cocktail served?
Bartenders serve the San Francisco Cocktail "up," meaning it is stirred with ice and then strained into a chilled glass without ice.

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