1.) Good as Gold
San Francisco has an amazing cocktail scene, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that many of your favorite drinks originated in the city. Whether it’s a classic martini or a new-fangled cable car check, you’re bound to find a recipe you love in the gallery ahead. Plus, the drinks will leave you as foggy as the city they’re from (which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on the person). Click through to check them out.
2.) Martini
There are several theories regarding the origins of this classic cocktail. Some believe it was invented in 1860s at the Occidental Hotel. While a more fun legend claims a miner who struck it rich wanted to celebrate at an East Bay bar, which was all out of champagne. Supposedly all they had was gin, vermouth, bitters, maraschino liqueur, and lemon. Hence, the martini was born! Get the recipe.
3.) Pisco Punch
Pisco is a grape-based brandy from Peru, but it’s been imported to San Francisco since the 1830s. Duncan Nicol, owner of the Bank Exchange Saloon, paired it with pineapple, lime juice, sugar, distilled water, and gum arabic to make the now infamous fruity cocktail. However, he never shared his exact recipe with patrons. Some suspect it may have contained cocaine which was still legal at the time. Get the recipe.
4.) Mai Tai
While there is some debate over where the Mai Tai was created, most believe it was concocted by Victor J. Bergeron, a.k.a. Trader Vic in Oakland in 1944. After his Tahitian friend tasted his blend of Jamaican rum, triple sec, lime juice, and orgeat syrup, he exclaimed ““Maita’i roa e!“ which translates to “very good.” We agree—the tiki-bar must-haves are indeed that! Get the recipe.
5.)Tequila Sunrise
The now classic combination of tequila, orange juice, and grenadine was perfected in Sausalito in the 1970s. It gained fame when Mick Jagger tried it at a private party at the Trident. It became his drink of choice for the rest of his 1972 tour. Get the recipe.
6.) Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is obviously native to Ireland, but a San Francisco bar is credited with introducing the drink to Americans. Jack Keoppler, owner of the Buena Vista, partnered with travel writer Stanton Delaplane to recreate the drink. After several failed attempts (they forgot to age the cream properly, oops), they finally got it right and helped spread the drink across the map. Get the recipe.
7.) Cable Car
This modern day classic is an updated take on a sidecar. Invented in 1996 at the Sir Frances Drake Hotel’s Starlight Room, this cocktail combines spiced rum, orange curaçao, lemon juice, and simple syrup and is perfection. Get the recipe.
8.) California Milk Punch
While this drink has its origins in the Gold Rush, it’s enjoyed a major revival recently. It’s another pisco-based drink, but here’s where things get weird. You add milk and green tea syrup to it, age that mixture for three days, then strain it through cheesecloth to remove all the curdled bits. It may sound funky but it’s actually a worth a try. Get the recipe.
9.) Boothby
The signature cocktail of William T. “Cocktail Bill” Boothby, a bartender at the historic Palace Hotel in San Francisco, contains sweet vermouth, bourbon, bitters, and a splash of champagne. Think of it as a more elegant twist on a Manhattan. Get the recipe.
10.) Gold Rush
A Gold Rush is a more flavorful variation of a whiskey sour, in which honey is substituted for simple syrup. While it may not have originated in San Fran, its name is indebted to Bay Area. Get the recipe.
11.) Gold Leaves
And speaking of gold, the precious metal is an amazing way to glam up any drink. It’s the ultimate San Fran garnish. Check out our guide to cooking with gold for more inspiration.
