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The Chai-Horchata at 1760.
The Chai-Horchata at 1760.
Wes Rowe

13 Hot Cocktails to Enjoy on Cold San Francisco Nights

When the temps drop, these warm boozy beverages will warm you right up.

by Daisy Barringer
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The Chai-Horchata at 1760.
| Wes Rowe
by Daisy Barringer

Oh, the weather outside is frightful... Okay, so maybe not frightful, but it sure is cold in San Francisco this winter. The good news is that with frigid temperatures comes seasonal cocktails to warm your bones. Shake off the chill with one of these alcohol-fueled hot beverages that are definitely a step up from pouring whiskey into your coffee (though no one will judge you if you do).

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Americano Restaurant & Bar

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Grown-up hot chocolate should have two things: booze and a spicy kick. Americano’s Hot Scotch Chocolate delivers on both. It’s an indulgent concoction of Bruichladdich Scotch, Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate, house-made whipped cream, and chili powder. Being an adult has never tasted so good.

8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 278-3777
(415) 278-3777
Josua Perez

Balboa Cafe

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Skip dessert in lieu of Balboa’s Hot Apple Pie cocktail (Tuaca, hot apple cider, cinnamon) topped with whipped cream. This classic restaurant also offers two other classic winter cocktails: Hot Buttered Rum and a Warm Egg Nog… The only problem you'll have is deciding which one to order (first).

3199 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 921-3944
(415) 921-3944
Balboa Café

Belga

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Mulled wine has been around since the second century, when the Romans incorporated it into their drinking rotation, but the mulled wine at Belga is brand new to the menu. A sachet of cloves, cinnamon sticks, and allspice berries add spice to the full bodied beverage which instantly warms your insides.

2000 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 872-7350
(415) 872-7350
Belga

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Bluestem Brasserie

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When Karl the Fog rolls in, order his namesake cocktail from Bluestem Brasserie to keep you warm and cozy. It’s a cozy mix of brandy, Bénédictine, Frangelico, coffee liqueur, coffee, and, best of all, a toasted marshmallow meringue on top. You’ll also want to try the Hot Austrian Punsch (wine, sugar, Stroh’s Austrian Rum, orange, cloves, cinnamon, and spices), a recipe that husband-wife owners Stacy and Adam Jed brought to the restaurant after a trip to Vienna to visit family. Adam asked his aunt how everyone could be so happy in the freezing cold and she replied, “It’s the Punsch!” As it turns out, she was right.

1 Yerba Buena Ln, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 547-1111
(415) 547-1111
Stephen Herbert

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Boxing Room

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Nothing says "winter cocktail" like a hot toddy, but Boxing Room takes it a step further with its Spiced Apple Cider Hot Toddy. There's a warm kick of spiced apples and the Meyers’ Dark Rum gives it a smooth molasses finish. Order some Cajun-boiled peanuts to snack on while you sip and you’ve got yourself the perfect cold weather treat.

399 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 430-6590
(415) 430-6590
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El Techo de Lolinda

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You might think it's too cold to enjoy on of SF's best rooftop bars, but thanks to wind screens, heat lamps, and the Rosa Maria, a hot cocktail with Appleton Rum, ginger syrup, lemon juice, and ancho reyes, garnished with rosemary sprig, orange peel, grated cinnamon, there's no reason you can't sit back and enjoy the view in total comfort.

2518 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 550-6970
(415) 550-6970
El Techo de Lolinda

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Elixir

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Elixir is bringing back the Tom and Jerry, a classic that dates back to the 1800s and signifies the beginning of the holiday season. A house-made batter of eggs, sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla is stirred with hot frothed milk and served in a mug with a stirring spoon. You can also get a twist on hot buttered rum that features a house-made batter of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon, mixed with Appleton Estate Gold Rum, spices, and served with vanilla ice cream.

3200 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-1633
(415) 552-1633
Darren Edwards

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Locanda

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Take off your hat and mittens and let the Locanda Cider warm you up. It's a new addition to the menu and includes your choice of rum or whiskey, Bates & Schmitt organic cider, capano antica, and allspice dram.

557 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-6800
(415) 863-6800
Locanda

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Myriad Gastropub

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You might not be able to take an actual hayride this winter, but the The Hayride (Cardamaro Vino Amaro, Ramos Pinto White Port, apple cider, Degroff’s Pimento bitters, cranberry juice, cloves and cinnamon) at Myriad Gastropub is even better because there’s not actual hay involved and it’s a hot cocktail with tasty booze.

2491 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 525-4335
(415) 525-4335
Courtesy of Myriad Gastropub

Presidio Social Club

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Afternoon tea just got a whole lot better thanks to the Drunken Earl (Wild Turkey Rye, Drambuie, and earl grey tea) at Presidio Social Club. Or, if you’re in the mood for something sweet, try the Hot Mint Chocolate (Brancamenta & house made hot chocolate). Not a tea or hot chocolate drinker? No worries: the PSC House coffee with a secret blend of liquors and topped with whipped cream was made just for you.

563 Ruger St, San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 885-1888
(415) 885-1888
Chloe Jackman

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Reverb Kitchen & Bar

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This neighborhood spot is the perfect place for some delicious snacks and a new-to-the-menu John the Conqueror (Buttered El Dorado 5 year, pineapple gum, jerk spice, all spice dram, angostura bitters, nutmeg, lime zest, compound butter). Pair it with the donuts because one should never go to Reverb and not order the donuts.

2323 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 441-2323
(415) 441-2323
Reverb Kitchen & Bar

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Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

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Be careful; the Smooth Killer at Tony's Pizza Napoletana is just that. Drink more than one of the wintery cocktail (Wild Turkey rye whisky, fresh lemon, honey, amaretto, hot infusion-siphon tea with cinnamon, vanilla, orange, jasmine, and cloves) and it might just knock you off your feet.

1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 835-9888
(415) 835-9888
Katherine Guzman

Also featured in:

1760

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The Chai-Horchata at 1760 looks like a cappuccino, but surprise! It's actually a boozy mix of Cognac, Rum Chata, house chai blend and steamed milk. Though you'll have to wait until 5 p.m. to get it during the week, you should definitely order it instead of coffee at the weekend brunch.

1760 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 359-1212
(415) 359-1212
Wes Rowe

Also featured in:

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Americano Restaurant & Bar

8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Grown-up hot chocolate should have two things: booze and a spicy kick. Americano’s Hot Scotch Chocolate delivers on both. It’s an indulgent concoction of Bruichladdich Scotch, Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate, house-made whipped cream, and chili powder. Being an adult has never tasted so good.

8 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 278-3777
(415) 278-3777
Josua Perez

Balboa Cafe

3199 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Skip dessert in lieu of Balboa’s Hot Apple Pie cocktail (Tuaca, hot apple cider, cinnamon) topped with whipped cream. This classic restaurant also offers two other classic winter cocktails: Hot Buttered Rum and a Warm Egg Nog… The only problem you'll have is deciding which one to order (first).

3199 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 921-3944
(415) 921-3944
Balboa Café

Belga

2000 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Mulled wine has been around since the second century, when the Romans incorporated it into their drinking rotation, but the mulled wine at Belga is brand new to the menu. A sachet of cloves, cinnamon sticks, and allspice berries add spice to the full bodied beverage which instantly warms your insides.

2000 Union St, San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 872-7350
(415) 872-7350
Belga

Bluestem Brasserie

1 Yerba Buena Ln, San Francisco, CA 94103

When Karl the Fog rolls in, order his namesake cocktail from Bluestem Brasserie to keep you warm and cozy. It’s a cozy mix of brandy, Bénédictine, Frangelico, coffee liqueur, coffee, and, best of all, a toasted marshmallow meringue on top. You’ll also want to try the Hot Austrian Punsch (wine, sugar, Stroh’s Austrian Rum, orange, cloves, cinnamon, and spices), a recipe that husband-wife owners Stacy and Adam Jed brought to the restaurant after a trip to Vienna to visit family. Adam asked his aunt how everyone could be so happy in the freezing cold and she replied, “It’s the Punsch!” As it turns out, she was right.

1 Yerba Buena Ln, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 547-1111
(415) 547-1111
Stephen Herbert

Boxing Room

399 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102

Nothing says "winter cocktail" like a hot toddy, but Boxing Room takes it a step further with its Spiced Apple Cider Hot Toddy. There's a warm kick of spiced apples and the Meyers’ Dark Rum gives it a smooth molasses finish. Order some Cajun-boiled peanuts to snack on while you sip and you’ve got yourself the perfect cold weather treat.

399 Grove St, San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 430-6590
(415) 430-6590
Facebook

El Techo de Lolinda

2518 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

You might think it's too cold to enjoy on of SF's best rooftop bars, but thanks to wind screens, heat lamps, and the Rosa Maria, a hot cocktail with Appleton Rum, ginger syrup, lemon juice, and ancho reyes, garnished with rosemary sprig, orange peel, grated cinnamon, there's no reason you can't sit back and enjoy the view in total comfort.

2518 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 550-6970
(415) 550-6970
El Techo de Lolinda

Elixir

3200 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Elixir is bringing back the Tom and Jerry, a classic that dates back to the 1800s and signifies the beginning of the holiday season. A house-made batter of eggs, sugar, nutmeg, and vanilla is stirred with hot frothed milk and served in a mug with a stirring spoon. You can also get a twist on hot buttered rum that features a house-made batter of brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon, mixed with Appleton Estate Gold Rum, spices, and served with vanilla ice cream.

3200 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 552-1633
(415) 552-1633
Darren Edwards

Locanda

557 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Take off your hat and mittens and let the Locanda Cider warm you up. It's a new addition to the menu and includes your choice of rum or whiskey, Bates & Schmitt organic cider, capano antica, and allspice dram.

557 Valencia St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 863-6800
(415) 863-6800
Locanda

Myriad Gastropub

2491 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

You might not be able to take an actual hayride this winter, but the The Hayride (Cardamaro Vino Amaro, Ramos Pinto White Port, apple cider, Degroff’s Pimento bitters, cranberry juice, cloves and cinnamon) at Myriad Gastropub is even better because there’s not actual hay involved and it’s a hot cocktail with tasty booze.

2491 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 525-4335
(415) 525-4335
Courtesy of Myriad Gastropub

Presidio Social Club

563 Ruger St, San Francisco, CA 94129

Afternoon tea just got a whole lot better thanks to the Drunken Earl (Wild Turkey Rye, Drambuie, and earl grey tea) at Presidio Social Club. Or, if you’re in the mood for something sweet, try the Hot Mint Chocolate (Brancamenta & house made hot chocolate). Not a tea or hot chocolate drinker? No worries: the PSC House coffee with a secret blend of liquors and topped with whipped cream was made just for you.

563 Ruger St, San Francisco, CA 94129
(415) 885-1888
(415) 885-1888
Chloe Jackman

Reverb Kitchen & Bar

2323 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

This neighborhood spot is the perfect place for some delicious snacks and a new-to-the-menu John the Conqueror (Buttered El Dorado 5 year, pineapple gum, jerk spice, all spice dram, angostura bitters, nutmeg, lime zest, compound butter). Pair it with the donuts because one should never go to Reverb and not order the donuts.

2323 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 441-2323
(415) 441-2323
Reverb Kitchen & Bar

Tony’s Pizza Napoletana

1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133

Be careful; the Smooth Killer at Tony's Pizza Napoletana is just that. Drink more than one of the wintery cocktail (Wild Turkey rye whisky, fresh lemon, honey, amaretto, hot infusion-siphon tea with cinnamon, vanilla, orange, jasmine, and cloves) and it might just knock you off your feet.

1570 Stockton St, San Francisco, CA 94133
(415) 835-9888
(415) 835-9888
Katherine Guzman

1760

1760 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109

The Chai-Horchata at 1760 looks like a cappuccino, but surprise! It's actually a boozy mix of Cognac, Rum Chata, house chai blend and steamed milk. Though you'll have to wait until 5 p.m. to get it during the week, you should definitely order it instead of coffee at the weekend brunch.

1760 Polk St, San Francisco, CA 94109
(415) 359-1212
(415) 359-1212
Wes Rowe

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