Gin has a long and storied history that is closely tied to the history of San Francisco. During the Gold Rush of the mid-19th century, gin was a popular drink among the city's residents and visitors, and was often used to mask the harsh taste of inferior alcohol. In addition, many of the city's historic bars and saloons, such as the Buena Vista Cafe and the Palace Hotel, have long-standing traditions of serving gin-based drinks.

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There are several gin brands that are produced in San Francisco. Some of the most popular ones include:

St. George Spirits - St. George Terroir Gin is a highly aromatic gin that is made with local botanicals, including Douglas fir, California bay laurel, and coastal sage.

2. Distillery No. 209 - No. 209 Gin is a modern gin that is distilled with a blend of traditional and unconventional botanicals, including bergamot orange peel, cardamom, and cassia bark.

Picture source: distillery 209

3. Anchor Distilling Company - Anchor Distilling produces a range of spirits, including Junipero Gin, which is a classic gin that is distilled with juniper berries, coriander, and other botanicals.

4. Raff Distillerie - Raff Distillerie produces a variety of spirits, including their flagship gin, Blade Gin, which is made with 11 botanicals, including juniper berries, orange peel, and lavender.

Picture source: old world spirits

5. Seven Stills - Seven Stills produces a range of spirits, including their Diving Dreams Gin, which is distilled with botanicals such as cucumber, lemon peel, and lemongrass.

These are just a few examples of the many gin brands that are produced in San Francisco.

San Francisco also has a rich cocktail culture, and many classic cocktails have been created or popularized in the city. While there are many cocktails that feature gin, here are a few examples of gin cocktails that are closely associated with San Francisco:

1. Martinez - The Martinez is believed to be one of the precursors to the modern Martini and is said to have originated in San Francisco in the late 1800s. It typically features gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and orange bitters.

Picture source: theBar.com 

2. Southside - The Southside is a refreshing gin cocktail that is made with gin, fresh mint leaves, simple syrup, and lime juice. While its exact origins are unclear, it is often associated with the Prohibition-era speakeasies of San Francisco.

Picture source: Food Network

3. Gin Fizz - The Gin Fizz is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed in San Francisco and around the world for over a century. It typically features gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water, and is often garnished with a lemon twist.

Picture Source: Moody Mixologist

Similarly, these are served up at some of the best gin bars in the world. The most popular ones include : 

1. Whitechapel: Whitechapel is the vision of mixologist Alex Smith (Novela, Gitane, Gather, Honor Bar), Smuggler’s Cove owner Martin Cate, and John Park (Novela, Kaiyo).

Whitechapel is not just a destination for gin lovers, but for everyone looking to experience remarkable cocktails and expertly prepared food in an incredible setting.

2. Coqueta: Coqueta, the Spanish restaurant owned by renowned chef Michael Chiarello, not only offers delectable Spanish tapas but also boasts a bar that serves more than 80 different types of gin. In addition to a vast selection of tonics, which includes five varieties from a small town near Cadiz and their own house-made tonics, the bar serves gin cocktails that perfectly complement the tapas platters.

The cocktail menu at Coqueta features various versions of Spanish G&T, such as East Indies and Spanish Holiday. Among the regulars, the Barça is a must-try gin and tonic, made with Bloom gin, grapefruit, juniper, local rosemary, and Fever-Tree tonic.

Picture source: OpenTable 

3. Third Rail: Third Rail is a cocktail and jerky bar tucked away on a quiet street in San Francisco’s Dogpatch neighborhood. The bar is the result of the collaboration between barkeep Jeff Lyon and Chef Phil West, two lifelong restaurant guys who worked together at West’s restaurant, Range. 

Their cocktails feature fresh, seasonal ingredients, high-quality spirits, and hand-cut and hand-crushed ice. A third Rail is also a great place for a simple shot and a beer. What really sets us apart is jerky. Some of it is smoked, some of it is dehydrated, some of it is vegetarian, and all of it is delicious!

4: Horsefeather: Nestled in the sophisticated neighborhood of Divisadero, this bar boasts a serene front terrace adorned with lush plants, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely brunch accompanied by some expertly crafted cocktails. The interior design of the bar is loosely inspired by the American Arts & Crafts period, adding a touch of class to the casual ambiance.

Bring your friends along and savor a variety of full meals and shareable plates inspired by different cultures and cuisines. For gin lovers, the Apres Ski cocktail is a must-try, with its bright and refreshing flavors of cucumber & dill infused aquavit, gin, genepy des Alpes, fino sherry, eucalyptus, salted aloe, and ski lift spritz. Other gin-based cocktails like the California Cooler are also worth exploring.

5:Bellota: Inspired by the regional cuisines and traditions of Spain, Bellota has crafted an eclectic menu of meats grilled on a wood-fired hearth, inventive paellas, fresh seafood, medium-sized tapas, imported charcuterie, and cheeses, as well as slow-roasted vegetable dishes.

The Spanish-focused cocktail menu features Spain’s cocktail of choice, the Gin Tonic. The all-Spanish wine list emphasizes small producers and growers and features sherry on tap. 

Bellota is part of The Absinthe Group, a collection of San Francisco restaurants and drinking establishments created by proprietor Bill Russell-Shapiro, and led by operations director Eric Vreede.

With a mix of both industrial and hand-crafted design elements, the dining room captures the surrounding urban cityscape and channels an airy, Mediterranean setting. The space invites you to relax with live music at the bar, host events in the private dining area, or enjoy front-row seating around the open kitchen with a custom hearth, the heart, and soul of Bellota.

Picture source: Bellota