San Francisco (Café Royal Version) Cocktail Recipe

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WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

San Francisco (Café Royal Version) is an easy-to-make stirred drink made with Sloe Gin that dates all the way back to 1937.

“It’s an undeniable classic, and we want to see it on more cocktail menus around the world,” declares Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.

But why wait for your favorite cocktail bar to add it to their menu? With our simple drink recipe, you can impress your friends by mixing this elegant and fruity cocktail in your own kitchen.

How To Make a San Francisco (Café Royal Version) Cocktail

“Super delicious and super simple,” says Rico. “It’s super sweet. You’ve got both worlds of two different Vermouths, both dry and sweet, balancing it out and you have that Sloe Gin.”

What You’ll Need

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

How to Mix

Use a Jigger to measure and pour Dry Vermouth into a Mixing Glass.
Measure and pour Sweet Vermouth into the Mixing Glass.
Measure and pour Sloe Gin into the Mixing Glass.
Add one dash of Angostura Bitters.
Add one dash of Orange Bitters.
Add Ice Cubes into the Mixing Glass.
Use a Bar Spoon to stir the mixture until ice cold.
Place a Julep Strainer over the Mixing Glass and pour the mixture directly into a Nick & Nora Glass.
Place a single Cherry on a Cocktail Pick, then insert it into your drink with the Cherry submerged in the Glass.
Sip and enjoy!

The History of the San Francisco (Café Royal Version)

Little is known about the history of the San Francisco (Café Royal Version), except that it appeared in a cocktail book published in 1937 by the United Kingdom Bartenders Guild.

Made with Sloe Gin, Dry Vermouth, Sweet Vermouth, and both Orange and Angostura Bitters, this cocktail is wonderfully complex, fruity, and aromatic.

“There is another modern version, which is more like a Tall Drink and contains Pineapple Juice,” explains Rico. “This version is more like a riff on the Blackthorn No. 1. The Black Thorn No. 1 is crafted with equal parts French Vermouth, Italian Vermouth, and Sloe Gin, along with Orange Bitters and Angostura Bitters.

In other words, the San Francisco (Café Royal Version) is essentially the same as the Blackthorn No. 1. with different measurements.

Tips for Making the San Francisco (Café Royal Version)

Cherry picking
When selecting Cocktail Cherries for this drink, you might be wondering what Cherries you should use. Rico recommends using Maraschino Cherries. There’s something truly luscious and decadent about the taste of Maraschino Cherries, especially in this drink.
Use plenty of ice when mixing
“You want to get as much ice as possible into your Mixing Glass,” explains Rico. “The more ice, the colder it will be. The colder it is, the higher control of dilution of your drink, 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.”
Chill your Glassware
Speaking of a perfectly chilled drink, Rico explains: “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.”

This is most certainly the case with the San Francisco. Believe us, it will make all the difference to the drink experience.
Choose your favorite Gin
If you have a favorite Sloe Gin, you should use that. After all, taste is personal and it’s your drink. In the video, you’ll see Rico uses Plymouth Sloe Gin.

Variations of the San Francisco (Cafe Royal Version)

Café Royal Vodka
In the video, you’ll see Rico make a version of the San Francisco (Café Royal Version) where he swaps Sloe Gin for Vodka.

He follows the exact same recipe combining one part Dry Vermouth and one part Sweet Red Vermouth, but instead of Sloe Gin, he measures and pours one part Absolut Vodka, together with the traditional Angostura Bitters, and Orange Bitters.

To maintain the viscosity and the sweetness of the Liqueur in the original, he then adds a couple of Bar Spoons of Maraschino Syrup, which bring out the red fruit flavors. And it’s delicious.

“Is it a direct comparison? No. Is it a great drink? Yes,” he says. But don’t just take Rico’s word for it, try it yourself.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for the San Francisco (Café Royal Version)

We recommend serving the San Francisco (Café Royal Version) in a Nick & Nora Glass.

Unsure about the different types of glassware? Read our article on the different types of glasses for cocktails.

To garnish this drink, simply skewer a single Maraschino Cherry on a Cocktail Pick and place it the directly into your Glass. Perfectly elegant.

Do you have to use Sloe Gin to make the San Francisco?

“Yes, you do,” answers Rico. Why? “Because it’s a Sloe Gin drink”. Sloe Gin has a sweeter, fruitier taste, which is essential to the San Francisco (Café Royal Version).

What is the difference between Sloe Gin and regular Gin?

Regular or traditional Gin is distilled with Juniper Berries and other botanicals, whereas Sloe Gin is actually a Gin-based liqueur made by infusing Gin with Sloe Berries and Sugar.

Sloe Berries, also known as Blackthorn, look very similar to Blackberries but taste very, very different. The taste can be described as tart and astringent.