Southside Cocktail

The Southside cocktail is a crisp, refreshing gin drink that’s packed with fresh mint and citrus—kind of like a gin mojito. If you’re into light, bright cocktails, this one’s definitely worth a spot in your summer rotation.

This classic drink has been around for over a century, with the earliest recipe dating back to 1916 - it’s even on the official list of International Bartender Association cocktails. As for the name? Some say it came from the swanky Southside sportsmen’s club on Long Island. Others say it was from the South Side of Chicago—possibly even a favorite of Al Capone. Either way, it’s a cocktail with a bit of mystery and a lot of flavor.

It's the perfect drink for a hot day or a laid-back cocktail hour.  The Southside is one of those classic drinks that never goes out of style.

Ingredient Notes

You only need a few simple ingredients to make this classic cocktail recipe.

• Gin - The flavor of the gin really shines in this drink so choose a good quality gin.  A London dry gin is my favorite to use in this recipe. 
• Lime juice - Freshly-squeezed lime juice is always best when it comes to  cocktails. This drink doesn't have a lot of ingredients so it is worth using the best of each kind.  As an alternate, you can use freshly-squeezed lemon juice in place of lime. 
• Mint - Fresh mint leaves are gently muddled to make this drink and are a key component of this cocktail.
• Simple syrup - A touch of sweetness to balance out the cocktail perfectly.  I always make my own simple syrup for mixing cocktails.  You could also use maple syrup or agave syrup instead if preferred. Feel free to adjust the amount of sweetness to your personal preference.

See the recipe card for ingredient list with measurements.

How to Make a Southside Cocktail

This gin cocktail is quick and easy to make. You will need a cocktail shaker, muddler, citrus juicer, jigger and strainer to make this cocktail. Most of those items should be included in a standard cocktail kit.

• STEP 1: Add the mint leaves and lime juice to a cocktail shaker.
• STEP 2: Gently muddle the mint a few times to release its juices.
• STEP 3: Fill the cocktail shaker with ice and add in the gin and simple syrup. Shake for about 30 - 60 seconds.
• STEP 4: Double strain the cocktail to remove any bits of mint.  Pour into a chilled cocktail glass. Gently smack the mint garnish and place it on top before enjoying it immediately.

South Side Cocktail Variations

• Mocktail Version: To turn this South Side Cocktail into a non-alcoholic mocktail, simply replace the 2 ounces of gin in the recipe with your favorite alcohol-free gin. The drink will still be full of flavor and delicious.
• Southside Fizz Cocktail: This variation involves topping the drink with club soda. This makes the cocktail extra refreshing and bubbly. Adding soda water also waters down the alcohol a bit which makes it a great daytime drink option.
• Sake Southside Cocktail: A tasty, Japanese spin on a classic cocktail! To make this variation, replace the traditional gin with sake (Japanese rice liquor). This makes for a unique and flavorful drink!
• Southside Royale Cocktail: This is a bubbly, sparkling champagne version of the classic cocktail. The drink is topped with champagne or sparkling wine before serving.

More gin cocktails to try:

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