San Francisco’s distinct neighborhoods are part of the City’s charm. Diverse, historical, and always intriguing, the unique regions draw curious global visitors who are eager to experience the palpable vivacity offered by each. In homage to these varied neighborhoods, and inspired by the Louis Vuitton Guide of cities around the world, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco food and beverage team has created a cocktail extravaganza—Neighborhood Cocktails of San Francisco—celebrating the City’s various neighborhoods. Inspired by the verve and vibe of each locale, the hotel’s skilled bartenders experimented and concocted until they achieved what they consider soulful cocktail expressions of these iconic San Francisco destinations. A beautifully illustrated bar menu leads guests through eight celebrated regions, with libations to match.
Exuding an elegance that is at once both chic and casual, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco’s glamorous lobby lounge, with its city skyline views, is the perfect spot in which to take this San Francisco tipple tour where each of the cocktails is more than Instagram-worthy. (Set your phone to video for the ‘Karl.’) Settle in for the evening and start at The Ritz-Carlton’s Nob Hill home base, with the ‘Welcome Home,’ served within a golden pineapple vessel: Volcán Reposado, Ancho Reyes Liqueur, Freshly Pressed Pineapple Juice, and Grilled Pineapple Turbinado, before heading on to….
Chinatown, ‘Good Fortune,’ Tanqueray Rangpur, Lime, Mint, Kumquat and Ginger
Golden Gate, ‘Karl,’ celebrating the City’s inimitable fog. A white Mystique Bubble is spritzed upon this Belvedere Vodka, Red Grape/Hibiscus, Elderflower Liqueur, and Aquafaba cocktail, awaiting a finger poke which releases a foggy stream of white vapor.
Japantown, ‘Honshin,’ with Glenmorangie X, Sayuri Sake, Yuzu, Peychaud Bitters, Aquafaba, and Seasonal Blossom Syrup
Presidio, ‘Sutro Spritz,’ a sophisticated cocktail, as beautiful as it is delicious: Hennessy V.S.O.P., Tart Cherry, Cointreau, Xocolatl Bitters, and Veuve Clicquot Champagne
North Beach, ‘Negroni Sevillano,’ celebrating the neighborhood’s Italian heritage: Barrel-Aged Mix of Tanqueray Sevilla, Campari, and Jerez de la Frontera Vermouth, smoked tableside
Castro, ‘Euphoria,’ Belvedere Vodka, Freshly Pressed Raspberries and Strawberries, and Limoncello are served within a rainbow sugar-coated martini glass.
For martini purists, allow the bartenders to surprise and delight with their Tanqueray Martini of the Day, shaken to perfection in the historic, hand-cranked Imperial Shaker.
Photos courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco