In honor of National Cocktail Day (March 24th), we invite you to revisit our favorite drinks in San Francisco. In a town that loves its liquor, it can be hard to distill the essence of SF down to just 50 drinks to try before you die. But we managed. Remember to pace yourself.
* Denotes a new tipple on this year's list.
1. Shot of Fernet-Branca with a Ginger Beer Back. R Bar. (TenderNob), 415-567-7441
(Photo by Zoe Lonergan)
2. Dublin Honey.The Ice Cream Bar. (Cole Valley)
3. Pina Colada. The Slanted Door. (Embarcadero)
4. Greyhound's Tooth.* Spruce. (Presidio Heights)
5. Yakuza 5.0.*Pabu. (Financial District)
6. Death in the Afternoon.* Maven. (Lower Haight)
7. BIX Sidecar. Bix. (Jackson Square)
8. Fog City Milk Punch. Fog City. (Embarcadero)
(Photo by Jen Siska)
9. Copa Verde. Padrecito. (Cole Valley)
10. House "Cappuccino." Tosca Cafe. (North Beach)
11. Tommy's Margarita. Tommy's Mexican Restaurant. (Richmond)
(Photo by Ashley Batz)
12. Irish Coffee. Buena Vista Cafe. (Fisherman's Wharf)
13. Bloody Mary. Zeitgeist. (Inner Mission)
(Photo courtesy of The Tonga Room)
14. Tonga Mai Tai. The Tonga Room. (Nob Hill)
15. Smuggler's Rum Barrel. Smuggler's Cove. (Hayes Valley)
16. Rattlesnake. Beretta. (Mission)
17. Frank Lloyd Wright.* Bourbon & Branch. (Tenderloin)
(Photo by Sarah Brickey)
18. House Whiskey Cocktail. *The Hideout at Dalva. (Mission)
19. Rye Gin Old Fashioned.* Bar Agricole. (SoMa)
20. Bartender's Choice.* Trick Dog. (Mission)
21. Kentucky Buck.* Rickhouse. (Financial District)
22. Martini Du Nord.* Cafe Du Nord. (Castro)
23. Gin & Celery.* ABV. (Mission)
24. Navy Gimlet.* The Interval at Long Now. (Fort Mason)
25. Shot-O-Sarsaparilla.* Boxing Room. (Hayes Valley)
(Photo by Aubrie Pick)
26. House Old Fashioned.* Trou Normand. (SoMa)
27. Dr. Crawford's Pick-Me-Up.* The Devil's Acre. (North Beach)
28. Penelope.* 15 Romolo. (North Beach)
29. Cherry Bounce.* Comstock Saloon. (North Beach)
30. Summit Cocktail. Nopa. (Nopa)
(Photo by Aubrie Pick)
31. Pimm's Cup. Starbelly. (Castro)
(Photo by Allison Webber)
32. After the Gold Rush. Holy Water. (Bernal)
33. Ramos Fizz. The Cliff House. (Outer Richmond)
34. Latch-key Tea. Butter. (SoMa)
(Photo courtesy of Brass Tacks)
35. Knife in the Water. Brass Tacks. (Hayes Valley)
36. The Martuni.* Martuni's. (Mid-Market)
37. Shirley's Soda Fountain.* Clock Bar. (Union Square)
(Photo by Virginia Miller)
38. 2 Birds, 1 Stone.* Lolo. (Mission)
39. 20th Century.* Stookey's Club Moderne. (Lower Nob Hill)
40. Jay Gatsby.* Novela. (SoMa)
41. The Bank Exchange.* Dirty Water. (Mid-Market)
42. Gran Cobbler.* Forgery. (SoMa)
43. Galapagos. Absinthe. (Hayes Valley)
(Photo courtesy of Rye)
44. Old Fashioned Cure-All. Rye. (Tenderloin)
45. (Brandy) Stinger. Twin Peaks Tavern. (Castro)
46. Castaway.* Liholiho Yacht Club. (Lower Nob Hill)
47. Negrowler.* Cockscomb. (SoMa)
48. Ital 75.* Delarosa. (Marina)
49. Must You Ask.* Schroeder's. (Financial District)
(Photo courtesy of Coqueta)
50. Tonic de Cortez. Coqueta. (Embarcadero)
** Like chefs, our bartenders are mixing up seasonal concoctions, so be sure to call ahead to confirm that the tipples in question are on the menu.
