At first sight, many might mistake the Southside cocktail for a Mojito that somehow ended up in a weird glass. And despite the similarities to the Cuban drink are undeniable, the Southside is a different drink for a reason.
If you ask bartenders to describe a Southside cocktail, you will often hear: it is similar to a Gimlet with mint or a gin-based Mint Julep. However, even though these comparisons all are plausible, neither captures the essence of this cocktail.
What is in the Southside Cocktail?
The recipe for a flawless Southside Cocktail is simple. You only need Dry Gin, freshly squeezed lime juice, rich simple syrup, and some fresh mint leaves. Yet, you need to follow a few tips to make this cocktail to perfection.
Best Gin for a Southside Cocktail
It is easy to get lost with all the different types of Gin on the market. So I want to give you my favorite Gin for a great Southside Cocktail.
I like a quality classic Dry Gin. Nothing too fancy, a solid mid-range Dry or London Dry Gin is a great choice. For instance, A Beefeater 24 is great, Rutte Dry is also a fine option, and if your budget is a little tight, a good old regular Beefeater will also do the trick.
Mint
Muddle it gently to release the sweet and aromatic notes from the leaves. If not handled carefully, the mint leaves will bring a bitter taste to your drink.
As for the garnish, you obviously wouldn't want to muddle the mint. Instead, gently smack the sprig of mint before adding it to the cocktail. Why? Because when smacking it, the mint will release essential oils, and they will lift your cocktail to the next level.
The citrus component
Another crucial point is the citrus component. There are all kinds of variations for it. Some use only lemon juice, others only lime juice, and Hugo Ensslin used a mix of both in his Southside Fizz cocktail.
Ultimately, there is no wrong or right here, and the decision is absolutely up to your tastebuds. - We prefer lime, though. Also, stick to fresh juice and stay away from packed juices.
Pro Tip
And finally, double strain your Southside Cocktail. That's necessary to ensure that only tiny mint bits enter your glass. Otherwise, it spoils the drinking experience, and in the worst case, you end up having torn mint leaves sticking to your teeth.
History
There are many stories about the origin of the Southside cocktail. For one, the New York's Club21 claims it for themselves. And when researching, there are quite some people who agree with that.
However, on digging a little deeper, it seems they were more likely responsible for making it popular than for actually creating this Gin cocktail.
The Southside first appeared in written form in Hugo Enslinn's "Recipes for Mixed Drinks" in 1916. But it wasn't named Southside back then but "Southside Fizz,". Therefore, subsequently, it contained a splash of soda water.
Alternative stories
Now there are two alternative stories which are also quite famous. They both would explain how the drink got its name, as well. The first one tells us that it got invented at Southside Sportsmen's Club on Long Island.
That used to be a private club where folks from Manhattan met for hunting, fishing, and drinking. And a drink frequently served there was the Mint Julep, and allegedly this cocktail evolved into the Southside at one point.
The other story is related to the south side of Chicago. Some believe that it was one of Al Capone's favorite drinks when he controlled the south side of Chicago.
Capone's rivals from the northern part of the city also had their drink, the northside. That was a mix of Gin and ginger ale.
But because the Gin Al Capone imported was a bit rougher, it needed more sugar and citrus to hide the harsh notes of the spirit. And just like that, ostensibly, the South Side Cocktail, or Southside, was born.
Ingredients
- 2 oz Dry Gin
- 1 oz Lime juice
- 0.5 oz Rich simple syrup
- 6-7 Mint leaves
Instructions
- Add mint leaves and lime juice into your cocktail shaker and muddle gently.6-7 Mint leaves, 1 oz Lime juice
- Then put in your Gin and syrup as well as plenty of ice. Start shaking your cocktail until it is well chilled.2 oz Dry Gin, 1 oz Lime juice, 0.5 oz Rich simple syrup, 6-7 Mint leaves
- Double strain into a cocktail glass to ensure you remove all bits of mint leaves.
- Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint or mint leaf