A San Francisco cocktail is a variation on the classic martini, with a sweet twist. Made with sloe gin, vermouth, and bitters, it’s a smooth and elegant drink.

about this San Francisco cocktail

If you love a gin martini, but are looking for something a little different, this San Francisco cocktail is for you. This little number’s been flying under the radar, but it definitely deserves a place on your cocktail recipe roster.

This drink first popped up in a cocktail book from the UK. Talk about a plot twist, right? A San Francisco drink making its debut across the pond!

The real beauty of this low ABV cocktail is it’s flavor because it is very unique for a martini. The flavor is fruity and dry, herbaceous and slightly sweeter than a classic cocktail. You get lovely aromas and flavors with every sip, so it’s just an all-around fantastic cocktail for those who love gin.

To us, it’s very old school meets modern-day with the revival of so many older cocktails coming back to star on cocktail menus. I’m surprised I have seen it in the best bars, but the one I had originally made me make my own version to share with you all.

ingredients

gin. Use sloe gin in this recipe, if possible! Some brands we recommend are Hayman’s Sloe Gin or Sipsmith Sloe Gin.

vermouth. You will need both dry and sweet vermouths for this recipe. Make sure that you are buying a good quality of both!

bitters. This cocktail uses a combination of Angostura bitters and orange bitters. Feel free to switch it up!

cherries. Brandied cherries make for the best garnish for this cocktail.

this recipe’s must-haves

All you need to make this drink is a cocktail shaker, jigger, and cocktail strainer!

I like to use coupe glasses, but you can also use a martini glass instead.

here’s how to make a san francisco cocktail

shake

Place your cocktail glass or martini glass in the fridge or freezer to chill while you make the cocktail. It’s better to chill the glass versus using an ice-filled glass which will dilute the drink.

Add all of the ingredients for the cocktail to a shaker filled with ice.

strain

Strain into the chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with brandied cherries and serve.

tips and tricks

use high quality ingredients. When you are making a spirit heavy cocktail, it’s best to use the best ingredients possible to achieve the best flavor.

check your vermouth. Did you know that Vermouth can expire sooner than other spirits? You generally need to use it up within three months, so be sure to check to make sure it’s still good to use.

More tasty gin cocktails to sip on: Gin Sling | Blackberry Gin Fizz | Strawberry Gin Smash | Watermelon Gin Cocktail | Irish Coffee

are there two san francisco cocktails?

There are two San Francisco cocktails! The first one is the one you see in this post (more detail in the next question on that!). However, the second modern San Francisco cocktail is totally different than the original! It is made with vodka, banana liqueur, grenadine, and tropical fruit juices. The difference is big between the classic cocktail and the fruity drink.

Of course, we prefer the very different sloe gin-based san francisco cocktail to the tropical sweet vibes!

where did this San Francisco cocktail originate?

The original San Francisco cocktail comes from the *Cafe Royal Cocktail Book *****published in the UK Bartenders Guild in 1937. This cocktail book was a collection of recipes from the 1920’s and 1930’s, which have sense been made into standards we know and love today (ex. the margarita!).

Though it isn’t a cocktail that originated in the city of San Francisco, I feel like the smooth sophisticated flavor could totally be it.

can I change up the bitters?

Yes, this is my favorite way to play with the cocktail recipe! The original combination is orange bitters and Angostura bitters, but you can really use a variety of other flavors. We like to use smoked orange or cherry for the fruity element. You could also try alpino, chocolate, or any other favorites that you might have on hand.

what is the difference between sloe gin and gin?

Traditional gin is distilled with juniper berries and other botanical ingredients, however, slow gin is made by infusing gin with slow berries and sugar. Therefore sloe gin is a bit sweeter and fruitier than traditional gin! We like to use sloe gin in this recipe, but you can also use traditional gin.

Need some inspiration for your next gathering? Check out my easy appetizer recipes page!

what to serve with a San Francisco cocktail

This cocktail goes with a variety of foods! I personally like to serve it as a pre-dinner drink (aperitif) because it goes so well with olives, cheeses, and other pickled items that are usually found on a charcuterie board.

The martini variation also pairs well with steak so fire up the grill to make a grilled NY strip steak or easy steak fajita foil packets.

more easy classic cocktails to make

A Patron margarita is fresh and vibrant, using only fresh citrus juice to make the Patron tequila really sing.

This bitter and balanced aperol negroni is a fantastic signature drink for your next cocktail party.

A chili salty dog is a spicy twist on the classic recipe, making it even more flavorful and juicy.

Try a bourbon manhattan cocktail, using bourbon instead of rye whiskey!

A paper plane cocktail is a modern classic, with a unique flavor profile that you will love.

Finally, if you make this San Francisco cocktail recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

Want to know when I come out with a new recipe or the latest news? Sign up for my newsletter!

san francisco cocktail

A classic low ABV cocktail that's a sweeter twist on a martini.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 cocktail

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equipment

• Double Jigger
• cocktail shaker
• OXO Steel Cocktail Strainer

ingredients

• 1 oz sloe gin
• 3/4 dry vermouth
• 1 oz sweet vermouth
• 1 dash Angostura bitters or aromatic bitters
• 1 dash orange bitters
• Brandied cherries for garnish

instructions

• Add gin, both vermouths, and both bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well.
• Strain into a chilled martini or coupe glass.
• Garnish with brandied cherries. Serve.

video

nutrition

Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 0.02g | Sodium: 0.3mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 0.2g | Iron: 0.01mg

Calories: 94kcal

Cuisine: English

Category: Booze

Mix up the perfect Patron Margarita with just a few simple ingredients. Fresh lime juice, Cointreau, and Patron Silver Tequila make this cocktail the best margarita for any occasion.

about this patron margarita recipe

If you are looking for the best margarita ever, you have come to the right place. A classic Patron margarita is one of our favorite recipes to shake up whenever friends come over, whether it’s a random last minute happy hour or a Taco Tuesday party.

There’s nothing better than sipping on a fresh classic margarita made with simple ingredients. I mean, it’s better when you are sipping it on a beach in Mexico, but that isn’t my daily reality…That’s what a margarita is MEANT to be. No margarita mix, no simple syrup, no crazy amounts of ingredients. Just fresh flavor and great taste.

This isn’t just any margarita, though. We’re talking about a Patron margarita – smooth, crisp, and with just the right kick to get the good times rolling. The best part is that you only need three ingredients total to make this drink!

With a few simple steps, you’ll be serving up drinks that taste like they came from your favorite bar. We’ve been making it for everything from casual BBQs to dinner parties, and it always goes down a treat.

Cheers to good friends, good times, and great margaritas!

ingredients

tequila. We recommend using top shelf Patrón Silver tequila for this well-balanced cocktail. You can use your favorite brand as well, or change things up by using anejo or reposado tequila.

cointreau. Cointreau (or Grand Marnier) are preferred. You can also use triple sec, but the flavor is better when you use a high quality orange liqueur. The orange notes are ideal to balance the tequila and fresh citrus juice.

lime. Fresh lime juice is key to making this margarita taste the best. You can use store bought, but we find that it is usually too tart. Fresh lime wedges are used for garnish and for rimming the glass.

salt. Use either flaky sea salt or coarse kosher salt to rim the glass.

this recipe’s must-haves

To make this recipe, grab your favorite jigger, cocktail shaker, and cocktail strainer!

You can serve your margarita in margarita glasses, double old fashioned glasses, rocks glass, or your favorite cocktail glass. Heck, even a mason jar will work.

here’s how to make a patron margarita

rim the glass

Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a glass. Run the rim through a salt on a plate to rim it. Fill with ice and set aside.

shake

Add tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice to a shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake until chilled through.

strain cocktail

Strain the margarita into the prepared cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime wedge or lime wheel, and serve.

tips and tricks

use fresh lime juice. Yes, this really does make a difference in the taste of the margarita! Since there are only three ingredients, make sure they are the best.

try out different citrus. Try out some different fresh citrus options by using a mix of lemon and lime juices, or using grapefruit juice to make a paloma variation of the cocktail.

variations

make it spicy. There are a couple of ways you can make this cocktail spicy for an extra kick! Add a couple slices of jalapeño to the shaker before shaking the cocktail. You can also add a spicy rim by using Tajin or another spicy blend to rim the glass for a spicy spin.

add some fruit. Make it a fruity margarita by adding a handful of chopped fruit to an empty shaker with the lime juice. Muddle the fruit until broken down, then add ice and remaining ingredients, finishing the cocktail as instructed. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, mango, and pineapple are all really tasty! You can also simply add in some fruit puree to the cocktail.

use a sugar rim. Change up the rim from salt to sugar for a sweet element to counter the tartness of the margarita!

More tasty margaritas to try out: Chili Lime Margarita | Pomegranate Margarita | Texas Margarita | Raspberry Margarita

what kind of patron should I use in this recipe?

We like to use Patron Silver Tequila in this simple recipe, but you can honestly use your favorite Patron Tequila! You can also opt for your own favorite tequila brand, if desired.

can I make this in a big batch?

For a big batch to serve 8 people, you will need 2 cups tequila, 1 cup Cointreau, and 1 cup freshly squeezed lime juice. Combine ingredients in a pitcher. Add in ice and stir until the mixture is thoroughly chilled. Pour into glasses filled with ice and serve!

can I make the margarita ahead of time?

You can easily make this margarita ahead of time in a big batch! Instead of adding ice to the pitcher and stirring, simple add everything to a pitcher, stir and stash in the refrigerator. You can make the margaritas up to 3 hours ahead of time.

When ready to serve, add in a bunch of ice and give it a good stir before serving.

Need some inspiration for your next happy hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with a patron margarita

A Patron margarita goes with so many different recipes, but the classic pairing is always tacos. Shredded beef tacos, crispy chicken tacos, chipotle chicken tacos, and cilantro lime chicken avocado tacos are some of our favorites!

If you are serving a batch of these margaritas for a party, it’s easy to pair the with your favorite appetizers. A classic chunky salsa with homemade tortilla chips or a spicy cheesy jalapeno popper dip make for excellent choices that everyone will love.

more tasty tequila recipes

Give the classic smash cocktail a tequila twist with this tequila sage smash. With savory sage and bold tequila, this recipe is a winter favorite.

Celebrate strawberry season with a strawberry tequila fizz that fruity, tart, and bubbly.

With just 4 ingredients, limeade margaritas are perfect for a party!

Finally, if you make this patron margarita recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

Want to know when I come out with a new recipe or the latest news? Sign up for my newsletter!

patron margarita

Simply the best fresh margarita recipe!

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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 cocktail

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equipment

• cocktail shaker
• jigger
• OXO Steel Cocktail Strainer

ingredients

• 2 oz Patrón Silver tequila
• 1 oz Cointreau or Triple Sec
• 1 oz fresh lime juice
• Flaky sea salt for the rim
• Lime wheels for garnish
• Orange wheels for garnish

instructions

• Run a lime wedge around the edge of the glass to wet it. Run the rim through a plate of salt. Fill with ice and set aside.
• Add Patron tequila, Cointreau, and lime juice to a shaker filled halfway with ice. Shake until chilled through.
• Strain into the prepared cocktail glass.
• Garnish and serve.

video

nutrition

Calories: 225kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.03g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 43mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 14IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Calories: 225kcal

Cuisine: Mexican, Tex Mex

Category: Booze

The classic Disaronno Sour is the ideal balance of sweet and sour. All you need is a handful of ingredients to make this classy cocktail. Our recipe breaks it down step-by-step so you can make it easily at home!

about this disaronno sour

Say hello to the Disaronno Sour – a simple cocktail that looks elevated and sophisticated, but is deceivingly simple to make.

Now, I know what you might be thinking. “Disaronno? Isn’t that some fancy Italian liqueur?” Well, yes. But don’t let that intimidate you!

I was first introduced to Disaronno back in college when I knew a guy who was OBSESSED with it. To me, this 30-something guy was totally classy as he sipping the nutty liqueur over ice whenever we hung out. I never was converted to drinking it straight, but I fell in love with turning it into cocktails when I first tasted a Disaronno sour.

I first discovered this gem of a drink at a fancy cocktail bar, where the bartender mixed it up with such flair that I thought, “I could never make that at home.” But then I did some research (and by research, I mean I asked the bartender for the recipe after a couple of drinks 😉), and it turns out, it’s actually super easy to make.

This is one of my favorite cocktails to make to celebrate at the end of a meal, whether it’s a party or it’s a random Friday night while I catch up on Bridgerton… IYKYK.

So let’s dive into what makes this cocktail so tasty!

ingredients

Disaronno. An amaretto liqueur, this is the primary ingredient in the disaronno sour!

bourbon. Use your favorite bourbon for this cocktail. We reach for a nice mid-price range option like Bulleit or Woodford Reserve.

lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice will give this cocktail the best possible flavor! You can also use store bought lemon juice, but note that it is usually more tart than fresh lemon juice. Do not use sour mix as it will alter the final flavor.

simple syrup. we make out own simple syrup, since all you need is equal parts water and sugar. Here’s how to make simple syrup if you would like the full tutorial! You can also purchase the sugar syrup at the store (grocery store or liquor store).

egg white. While the egg white is optional, we highly recommend using to to achieve the foamy topping for the drink.

this recipe’s must-haves

To make this cocktail, you will need the standard cocktail making equipment. You will need a jigger to measure ingredients, a cocktail shaker to make the cocktail, and a cocktail strainer.

We like to serve this cocktail in coupe glasses!

here’s how to make a disaronno sour

shake

Pour in all of the ingredients to an empty shaker. Shake well to build up the foam. This will take about 15 to 30 seconds.

shake again

Add a handful of ice cubes to the shaker. Shake again until chilled.

serve

Strain into your favorite cocktail glass. Garnish with brandy cherries or a lemon slice, as desired.

tips and tricks

chill the glass! For a frosted glass finish, fill your cocktail glass with ice or pop it in the freezer as you make the cocktail. Remove the ice before pouring in the cocktail.

shake well, both times. The first time you shake the cocktail without ice is to build up the foam. The second time you shake it is to chill it well with ice!

adjust flavoring as desired. You can take a sip straight from the shaker before serving it if you want! Then you can easily adjust the cocktail if you want it sweeter (add more simple syrup) or more sour (add more lemon juice).

More shaken cocktails to sip on: Cherry Vodka Sour | Aperol Sour | Sparkling Whiskey Sour | Jameson Whiskey Sour

do I have to use the egg white?

You do not have to use the egg white in the cocktail if you prefer not to. The egg white is what gives the cocktail its foamy top, so you will miss out on that textural element!

what is Disaronno?

Disaronno is an Italian liqueur which is a brand of amaretto. Amaretto has a unique almond flavor, and this particular brand has been around since 1525. Funny enough, the liqueur doesn’t contain any actually almonds! It is a blend of herbs, fruits, and burnt sugar with a warming finish.

I don’t have a cocktail shaker! What can I use instead?

You can use a mason jar or any jar with a lid that seals well.

Need some inspiration for happy hour? Check out my cocktail recipes page!

what to serve with a disaronno sour

Amaretto is best paired with flavors like chocolate, citrus, red fruits like red plums, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Since it is usually served after dinner, we suggest pairing this cocktail with dessert! Here are some ideas to get you started:

A decadent chocolate bourbon caramel tart is incredibly easy to make! It’s one of those wow-worthy desserts that doesn’t require a ton of steps or complicated technique.

Triple chocolate brownies are our favorite brownie recipe ever!

Blackberry lemon icebox cake is a no-bake dessert that’s citrusy and bright.

For something more like a simple sweet snack, crockpot cinnamon almonds are perfect for a party.

more sour cocktail recipes

One of my favorite sour cocktails is this cherry amaretto sour. You can even use Disaronno in this recipe. It’s perfect for summertime!

For another cherry sour cocktail, this cherry bourbon sour is ideal for bourbon lovers.

A classic Boston sour is made with just a handful of ingredients for a balanced sweet and sour cocktail.

If you love amaretto, try this Italian amaretto margarita!

Finally, if you make this disaronno sour recipe, please be sure to give this recipe a star recipe rating on the recipe card and/or leave a comment! I love to hear when you all make recipes, and I do take the time to respond to every single comment.

Feel free to drop questions below too, if you have them!

Oh and be sure to tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest if you make the recipe! I love being able to see these recipes come to life in your homes – it’s my favorite thing to look through those photos. It really means the world to me!

Want to know when I come out with a new recipe or the latest news? Sign up for my newsletter!

disaronno sour

A balance of sweet, sour, and nutty makes this classic cocktail an instant favorite.

No ratings yet

Print Pin

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 cocktail

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equipment

• Double Jigger
• Boston Shaker
• OXO Steel Cocktail Strainer
• Coupe Glasses

ingredients

• 1 1/2 oz Disaronno amaretto liqueur
• 3/4 oz bourbon
• 3/4 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/4 oz simple syrup
• Egg white optional
• Lemon slice for garnish
• Brandied cherry for garnish

instructions

• Pour all ingredients in a shaker. Shake well to build up the foam, about 15 to 30 seconds.
• Add in a handful of ice, then shake until chilled.
• Strain into a cocktail glass.
• Garnish with a lemon slice and brandied cherry.

video

nutrition

Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.2g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 8mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Calories: 204kcal

Cuisine: Italian

Category: Booze