It’s the last weekend of April and the weather is warming up, making this vintage cocktail the perfect drink for sipping on the porch. Tart citrus blended with fresh mint, simple syrup and a really good gin all make for a great drink to soak up these longer spring days.
The South Side is a cocktail that predates Prohibition. There are as many versions as there are legends to its history but one thing is for sure, it’s bright and refreshing.
Finding Meyer lemons at the market was all the inspiration needed to pull up this classic recipe. They’re a touch sweeter with a subtle note of orange, but still with that vibrant brightness you expect from a lemon. This cocktail is also full of fresh mint puréed with the lemon juice and a touch of simple syrup. Finish with a great gin offering beautiful flavors of juniper, spices and citrus.
You’ll want a batch of simple syrup at the ready. I confess, there’s always a batch in my fridge (You can’t make sweet tea without it!) It’s simple to make and the extra syrup is nice to have on hand.
Some recipes finish the cocktail in a shaker full of ice, then serve chilled straight up in a coupe, while others stir in the gin and pour it over ice. Both are delicious, so your choice!
And though it’s not quite hot outside, we know those days are right around the corner. So pour up a drink and enjoy the sunshine!
South Side Cocktails
For the simple syrup:
1 cup water
2 cups sugar
For the cocktails:
¾ cup simple syrup
1-⅓ to 1-½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 9 to 10 lemons
¼ cup fresh mint leaves, packed when measuring
¾ cup good gin, such as Plymouth
Ice for serving
Extra lemon slices for serving, optional
To make the simple syrup:
Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. Keep any extra simple syrup refrigerated.
To make the cocktails:
Pour ¾ cup of the simple syrup and 1-⅓ cups of the lemon juice into a blender.
Toss in the mint leaves and blend on medium speed until very smooth.
Transfer the mixture to a pitcher and stir in the gin.
You can additional simple syrup or lemon juice to suit your taste.
Fill a cocktail glass with ice and slide a slice of lemon down the side for garnish.
Pour the drink over the ice and serve.
Makes 4 cocktails.
South Side Cocktails
Equipment
- small saucepan
- Blender
Ingredients
- For the simple syrup:
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups sugar
- For the cocktails:
- ¾ cup simple syrup
- 1-⅓ to 1-½ cups freshly squeezed lemon juice, about 9 to 10 lemons
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, packed when measuring
- ¾ cup good gin, such as Plymouth
- Ice for serving
- Extra lemon slices for serving, optional
Instructions
- To make the simple syrup:
- Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. Keep any extra simple syrup refrigerated.
- To make the cocktails:
- Pour ¾ cup of the simple syrup and 1-⅓ cups of the lemon juice into a blender. Toss in the mint leaves and blend on medium speed until very smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a pitcher and stir in the gin. You can additional simple syrup or lemon juice to suit your taste.
- Fill a cocktail glass with ice and slide a slice of lemon down the side for garnish. Pour the drink over the ice and serve.
