San Francisco Cocktail

Pro tips

• Chill your coupe or cocktail glass with ice water before straining to keep the drink cold longer.
• Use a bar spoon to stir gently for 20-30 seconds; over-stirring dilutes the balance of spirits.
• Equal-part vermouths (3/4 oz each) are critical—verify your bottle sizes match to maintain the intended flavor profile.
• Add both dashes of bitters last after stirring to prevent them from settling at the bottom.

Substitutions

• Old Mr. Boston Sloe Gin → Tanqueray Sloe Gin or Bols Sloe Gin (consistency in proof and flavor)
• Sweet Vermouth → Dolin Vermouth de Chambéry (lighter, floral alternative)
• Dry Vermouth → Noilly Prat Extra Dry (herbaceous, more pronounced botanicals)

Equipment

mixing glass · bar spoon · jigger · strainer · coupe glass or cocktail glass

What is sloe gin and can I substitute it?

Sloe gin is a dark, fruity liqueur made from sloe berries and gin. If unavailable, use regular gin with a splash of crème de cassis or blackberry liqueur as a substitute.

Should this cocktail be shaken or stirred?

This cocktail should be stirred in a mixing glass with ice for 20-30 seconds to chill and dilute properly, then strained into a coupe or cocktail glass.

What type of bitters work best?

Angostura and orange bitters are the traditional choices. A dash of each creates balance; use Angostura if choosing only one.

What glassware is recommended?

Serve in a coupe glass or cocktail glass chilled beforehand for the best presentation and temperature retention.

Can this recipe be scaled for multiple drinks?

Yes, multiply all ingredients by the number of servings and batch-stir in a mixing pitcher before distributing into individual glasses.