How to Make a Southside Cocktail – A Refreshing Mint & Gin Classic
August 4, 2022 2025-05-22 20:13How to Make a Southside Cocktail – A Refreshing Mint & Gin Classic
How to Make a Southside Cocktail – A Refreshing Mint & Gin Classic
If you’re a gin lover looking for a fresh twist, the Southside cocktail is a must-try. With muddled mint, lemon juice, and a touch of sweetness, it’s like a cool breeze in a glass. Keep reading to learn how to make it — and the smooth trick to getting the mint just right.
" Southside "
🍸 The Southside Cocktail: A Speakeasy Classic
The Southside cocktail dates back to the early 1900s, making appearances in classic recipe books like Hugo Ensslin’s Recipes for Mixed Drinks. Its exact origin is up for debate — some say it was born on the South Side of Chicago, others point to the Southside Sportsmen’s Club on Long Island.
Regardless of its roots, the drink rose to fame during the Prohibition era, especially in speakeasies where gin needed a little herbal help to taste smoother. The Southside became a stylish, refreshing favorite, blending mint, lemon, and gin into a crisp concoction that’s still served at upscale bars today.
Here's what you need to make it yourself
Ingredients
60 ml ( 2 oz ) Gin
22.5 ml ( 0.75 oz ) Simple Syrup
3-4 Mint Leaves
Half Lemon Squeezed
Garnish : Lemon Wheel on a Cocktail Pick
Steps to do it
- Drop 3-4 mint leaves into the Blossoming Cobbler & Muddle them gently using the Thin Mid Muddler
- Add in the Gin, Simple Syrup & Half Lemon Squeezed using the Diamond Spouted Single Jigger & The Lemon Destroyer
- Pour ice into the shaker using the Stainless Steel ice Scoop
- Shake Well
- Fine Strain the mix using the Classic fine Mesh Strainer into the Classic Coupe Glass
- Garnish with a Lemon Wheel on a Cocktail Pick
Cheerio !
💡 Mint Muddling Tips for the Southside
When muddling mint, don’t crush it aggressively — that’ll release bitterness and ruin the drink’s vibe. Instead, gently press or twist the leaves 3–4 times to release the oils.
Pro move? Add the lemon juice and simple syrup first, then muddle the mint in that mix — it helps extract the flavor without bruising the mint.
We experimented with muddling dry mint too (just for fun), but trust us — mixing it with the juice and syrup gives you that fresh, balanced hit of minty magic.
How do you muddle your mint? Drop a comment and let’s trade secrets 🍃
