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San Francisco

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (50)
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1/2 fl oz Ketel One Vodka
1/2 fl oz Cointreau L'Unique triple sec liqueur
1/2 fl oz Giffard Banane du Brésil liqueur
1 1/2 fl oz Pineapple juice
3/4 fl oz Orange juice (freshly squeezed)
1/3 fl oz Monin Grenadine Syrup
1/4 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)

How to make

Glass

Photographed in an UB Koto Collins 35cl

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COLLINS GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of pineapple wedge.

Method

  1. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  2. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with pineapple wedge on rim.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 7/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 5/10

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of San Francisco contains 246 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.6 standard drinks
  • 12.75% alc./vol. (25.51° proof)
  • 21.9 grams of pure alcohol
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History

Unknown, but almost certainly not originally from the city of San Francisco in California. It certainly originated before 1992, as that's when I first encountered this cocktail.

Review

Long, fruity, slightly sweet and vodka-laced.

Variations/similar cocktails

This fruity drink should not to be confused with the very different sloe gin-based San Francisco cocktail which dates from pre-1937.

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Gallery

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Comments & Discussion

Carlo Ju
On one unfortunate day when I ran out of pineapple juice, I suddenly found myself craving a San Francisco. So, in a moment of desperation, I replaced the 45 ml of pineapple juice with orange juice, bringing the total to 67.5 ml of orange juice, plus 7.5 ml of lemon juice.

I have a feeling I’m going to be drinking this quite often from now on
score: 1
Simon Sedgley Premium Member
Fruity indeed...delightfully so. We also tried a rum version, substituting 30ml light gold and 15ml agricole for the vodka. And we split the lime and orange juice 50:50 with 15ml each. Worked nicely for us but, next time, we might reduce the agricole contribution to the rum a bit.
score: 1
Gavin McCarthy
All ingredients I used are identical to the brands specified in the recipe above).

Don’t agree about it being too banana forward, it’s a nice background note that melds seamlessly.

What it is, however, is cloyingly sweet, to an absurd degree. There is no conceivable way this could be a 5/10 on the sweet-dry/sour scale! I even made it a second time, figuring I’d absent-mindedly tripled the grenadine or some-such.
score: 0
Matt B
This is very banana forward, and it could probably use to be dialed back a bit so it doesn't overwhelm the other flavors.
score: 1
tihy romain
+ lime juice
score: 2
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
I've tweaked the recipe to include lime juice, but I've kept it on the sweet side as, in my experience, that's part of this fruity cocktail's appeal.
score: 1
Arild Anda
Your review on the Banane du Brésil inspired a purchase and an urge to do some experimenting on alternative versions of this one. The vodka cedes the leading part to Damoiseau 5 ans rhum agricole. The obvious working title is “Saint-François”, after a town conveniently situated just south of the Damoiseau distillery on Guadeloupe. A splash of absinthe and Peychaud’s is also at play, and lime juice instead of orange juice. Perhaps a bit Clairin Sajous too — marvellous with the banane.
score: 0
Arild Anda
Wow. I never expected to see this one again. I bought one for a girl I liked on the ferry from Stavanger to Newcastle in 1988, on her request. My first attempt at being a gentleman in a bar.
score: 8
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
Around the same year I first came across this cocktail in Gran Canaria.
score: 6