Now Presenting: The Southside Cocktail

Possibly because of how long they have been around, or possibly due to what I refer to as the “broken telephone” effect but either way pre-prohibition cocktails have an aura of mystery around them. Today we are heading to the Southside, or would that be into the Southside? This drink was confusing to say the least, but with an element of intrigue that I could not pull myself away from.

Dates and named be damned, this weeks cocktail has so many twists and turns it is nearly impossible to keep them all straight. There are versions calling for lemon juice, versions calling for lime juice, heck there are even some that recommend a mixture of lime and lemon juices. Splash of Angostura bitters, sure why not? About the only thing consistent with the Southside recipes is that they all call for citrus, gin, sugar (in some form) and a healthy helping of fresh mint. Some cocktails are cut and dry, they are how they are and make no excuses. Others have seemingly endless opportunities for customization and the Southside definitely has a number of documented versions to choose from.

After trying this cocktail what did you not like about it, too strong, no problem! Mixing it down with club soda is called a Southside Fizz. Want to mix it down but dress it up at the same time, yea someone has done that as well. It is called the Imperial Southside and it is mixed with champagne.

Glassware you ask, yet another story of do as you feel. With drinks of all kinds, from beers to whiskies, cocktails to highballs, every drink has a specific style of glass they should be served in. Not this drink! From a coupe glass served neat to a rocks glass over ice use whatever glass is handy. Rules don’t seem to apply to this drink, and that is not altogether a bad thing.

Our Best Version of Events:

2 oz. gin

1 oz. simple syrup

½ oz. lime juice

5 large mint leaves

Shake, double strain and serve over ice in a rocks glass.