8 Summer co*cktails to Make Right Now + Recipes (2024)

We may not see the sun as often as we like, but San Francisco enjoys a summertime bounty and exceptional bar talent that yield the best seasonal libations. We’ve gathered eight of our favorites from bars and restaurants around town and adapted them for your next summer gathering.

1. Rocky Ford atBenjamin Cooper

We love Benjamin Cooper, the five month-old co*cktail spot that serves impeccable drinks and pristine oysters in a clandestine walk-up near Union Square. The modern, exposed concrete space is warmed by vintage furnishings, colored votives and the good juju of owners Mo Hodges & Brian Felley of former Big fame. Their Rocky Ford is a seamless mezcal drink with a gentle tang from citrus and Kina Lillet, rounded out by a Bolivian pisco, Sangani 63 (championed by filmmaker Steven Soderbergh). The especially floral version of the spirit informs the drink, but feel free to sub any other pisco in its place.

Method: Shake all ingredients with ice; double strain into a chilled coupe glass; garnish with melon ball and mint sprig. To make melon syrup: blend one melon with ½ cup sugar and strain.

Photo by Giancarlo Paterlini

2. Blueberry-Sage co*cktail at1760

Polk Street’s 1760 is one of the more underrated co*cktail destinations in the city. Skilled bar manager Christopher Longoria brightens his drink menu with seasonal fruits and herbs throughout the year. His Blueberry-Sage co*cktail— which just won a Farmward Bound drink competition—sips bright and floral with fresh blueberries before herbaceousnotes of sage and deep, rich undertones of maple syrup and rye kick in. It’s a delicious summer sipper that's worth the moderate effort.

Blueberry-Sage co*cktail

Method: Add first four ingredients to co*cktail tin and muddle. Add remaining ingredients, shake, and double strain into small rocks glass. Add 2 small ice cubes. Garnish with 2 blueberries on a pick.

3. Banana Hammock atTSK/TSK

Upcoming TSK/TSK on Divisadero is a fun pop-up from local co*cktail vets— you’ll recognize many from the bar at the late Hapa Ramen—that embraces guilty pleasures. It’ll feature food by Bacon Bacon and four slushie machines cranking out spiked, frozen drinks like a blue Electric Margarita and strawberry-and-beet fueled The Beet Down. The Banana Hammock is their take on a Pina Colada adapted for a contemporary palette. It’s an icy, not overly sweet drink with a rich aroma of coconut and pleasant complexity thanks to the inclusion of a dry sherry and scrumptious French banana liqueur.

Photo courtesy of Novela

4. Watermelon Peppercorn Punch atNovela

Stylish punch house Novela just celebrated their second anniversary by introducing punch versions of classic co*cktails (think Negroni and Old Fashioned punches on tap). We tapped them for a group recipe to impress at your next summer bash. The Watermelon Peppercorn Punch is an easy drinker that’s naturally sweet from watermelon and balanced by mild herb notes. Don’t be intimidated by the lengthy recipe. Ingredients are easy to source and come together quickly.

Watermelon Peppercorn Punch

Method: Combine all ingredients, fine strain once. Serve over ice and garnish with Fresh Nutmeg.

White Oleo Saccharum

Black Pepper Thyme Tea

Photo byBalthazar Digital Media

5. Brazilian at15 Romolo

The handsome North Beach co*cktail den pours a little south of the border sunshine with this deceptively simple drink. What might cheekily be called “no hair of the dog” takes advantage of the funky deliciousness of Avua Cachaça, an exceptional version of Brazil’s sugar-cane based spirit. Make it when you can’t decide between rum or tequila.

6. Pimm’s No 3 Cup byCognac Room

Downtown’s Gaspar recently rebranded their sexy second-floor lounge as the Cognac Room featuring an encyclopedic collection of brandies and a staggering menu of 50 new and classic brandy co*cktails. Included in the list is an updated version of that Wimbledon staple, the Pimm’s Cup. The utterly delicious, summer cooler fills the air with the fragrance of cucumber and mint. Find it on the Cognac Room's weekday happy hour menu along with savory bites like oysters, devilled eggs, and pomme frittes.

Pimm's No 3Cup

7. Pan-Pacific Sling atRedwood Room

One of San Francisco’s most gorgeous rooms, The Redwood Room, honored their 100th year by (finally!) crafting a co*cktail list with locals in mind. Anthony Kim’s SF take on a Singapore Sling is made with local Pisco brand Encanto, Small Hand Foods and the City's shot of choice, Fernet. It’s a full-flavored, tiki-esque highball with a rich blend of pineapple, cherry, lemon and a pleasingly tart snap.

Photo byDarren Edwards

8. Front Porch Swing byElixir

Best known for its notable whiskey collection, Mission spot Elixir finds room for this floral, white sangria on its seasonal co*cktail menu.

Front Porch Swing

Method: In a mixing glass add the half orange wheels, grape halves, leaves of one mint sprig and all liquid ingredients. Fill with ice to 3⁄4 full and shake lightly for 10 seconds. Dump all contents into a large wine glass and garnish with a slapped mint sprig.