Kaffe Royal Cocktail Recipe

RECIPE BY: RICARDO DYNAN
WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Kaffe Royal is a new stirred drink inspired by the Sloe Gin classic, the San Francisco (Café Royal Version), using Absolut Vodka instead of Sloe Gin.

“This version is very, very clean. Is it a direct comparison? No. Is it a great drink? Yes,” shares Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.

Fruity, rich and sweet. Could the Kaffe Royal be your new favorite drink?

How To Make a Kaffe Royal

What You’ll Need

• Jigger or Measuring Instrument 
• Mixing Glass
• Bar Spoon
• Nick & Nora Glass (or Cocktail Glass)
• Julep Strainer
• Paring Knife

How to Mix

1. Use a Jigger to measure and pour Dry Vermouth into a Mixing Glass.
2. Measure and pour Sweet Vermouth into the Mixing Glass.
3. Measure and pour Absolut Vodka into the Mixing Glass.
4. Add two dashes of Angostura Bitters.
5. Add two dashes of Orange Bitters.
6. Use your Bar Spoon and pour two Bar Spoons of Maraschino Syrup into the Mixing Glass.
7. Add Ice Cubes into the Mixing Glass.
8. Use a Bar Spoon to stir the mixture until ice cold.
9. Place a Julep Strainer over the Mixing Glass and pour the mixture directly into a Nick & Nora Glass.
10. Use a Paring Knife to cut a disc of Orange Zest from an Orange
11. Squeeze the Orange Zest over the Glass before dropping it in.
12. Sip and enjoy!

What is a Kaffe Royal Cocktail?

The Kaffe Royal is a vodka twist on the sloe gin classic, the San Francisco (Café Royal Version). It was created in 2024 by Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador. It not only substitutes sloe gin for vodka but also uses maraschino syrup.

What Does a Kaffe Royal Cocktail Taste Like?

Sweet, rich and fruity. “Those Maraschino flavors are coming through, perfectly balanced by both Vermouths,” says Rico. “The reason for adding the maraschino syrup is because the base spirit of the San Francisco (Café Royal Version) is sloe gin, and we want to make sure we still have some of the viscosity.”“

We want to make sure we still have some of that sweetness coming through that’s in the liqueur and that we still have some of those red fruit flavors bursting through,” he continues.

The History of the Kaffe Royal Cocktail  

The Kaffe Royal is a new cocktail created in 2024 by Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador. 

It’s a Vodka twist on the Sloe Gin classic from the 1930s, the San Francisco (Café Royal Version).

While making the classic stirred drink for an episode of ‘Absolut Drinks with Rico’, Rico wanted to see if he could make a Vodka variation. Right then and there, the Kaffe Royal was created.

It follows the same recipe as the San Francisco (Café Royal Version) but swaps out the Sloe Gin for Vodka and adds Maraschino Syrup.

Tips for Making the Kaffe Royal 

• Use Plenty of Ice in your Mixing Glass
  When stirring the mixture in your Mixing Glass, be sure to add plenty of Ice Cubes. “The more Ice, the colder it will be. The colder it is, the higher the control of dilution, meaning you won’t get a watery drink very quickly and you can really stir it to get that perfect balance you’re looking for,” explains Rico.

• Chill Your Glass in Advance
  “If you’re making these stirred down drinks, which are going to be served straight up in small glasses, one of the best things you can do is chill your glasses,” says Rico.

  Now, what happens if you have guests coming over and your freezer is already full? Rico offers a handy tip: fill your glasses with Crushed Ice, all the way to the top, then add Soda Water or tap water. Let the glasses stand until chilled. Simple yet effective!

Variations of the Kaffe Royal

San Francisco (Café Royal Version)
The Kaffe Royal is, of course, a variation of the San Francisco (Café Royal Version). So, if you want to make the classic with Sloe Gin instead of Vodka, be sure to check out our cocktail recipe for a San Francisco (Café Royal Version).

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Kaffe Royal

We recommend serving the Kaffe Royal in a Nick & Nora Glass or a Cocktail Glass. 

When it comes to garnishing, while the original San Francisco (Café Royal Version) uses a single Maraschino Cherry, Rico recommends a disc of Orange Zest for the Kaffe Royal, as it already incorporates the Maraschino Cherry flavor from the Maraschino Syrup.