The Southside Cocktail is a classic gin cocktail that is so easy and delicious, you need to give it a try! Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and mint!
Classic Gin Cocktails
This week has been about revisiting some classic gin cocktails! On Tuesday, I shared a White Lady Cocktail. The White Lady Cocktail was really similar to today's cocktail with lemon juice and gin, but instead of a simple syrup is gets it's sweetness from the Cointreau (orange liqueur.)
As I delve deeper into cocktail making and craft cocktails, it is so interesting to see how most cocktails are riffs of other cocktails. Taking out this, putting in that. Kind of like cooking when you choose whether to add raisins or not, add an extra clove of garlic or make the choice between fresh thyme or parsley.
To continue to grow in my cocktail making skills, I'm going to continue to revisit these classic cocktails. They are the basis that most of the craft cocktails come from.
Ingredients to Make a Southside Cocktail:
You only need 4 ingredients to make this easy classic cocktail!
Gin - We used a Plymouth Gin. Plymouth Gin is one of the oldest distilleries in the UK. It is more drier than a London Dry and a bit earthier. It's one of our favorite gins to use in a gin and tonic.
Simple Syrup - we usually make a batch of this and store it in the fridge. It lasts about a month in the fridge. Homemade Ginger Simple Syrup would work really well with these flavors!
Lemon - fresh squeezed is always best!
Mint.
How to Make a Southside Cocktail
To make this cocktail add the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and mint leaves to a cocktail shaker. Fill the shaker with ice about ¾ full. Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds, then strain into a martini or coupe glass and garnish with mint.
The hardest part of making this cocktail is juicing the lemon! Seriously!
Tip - before juicing a lemon, I use a channel knife or a vegetable peeler to remove some zest. I store them in a little jar in the freezer to use in recipes that call for a lemon twist garnish or in food recipes that need lemon zest.
This Southside Cocktail is so good!! It is refreshing with the botanical flavors of the gin pairing beautifully with the lemon juice and then the fresh mint!
This is a cocktail recipe that you want to have in your repertoire. It's so easy and so elegant. I'm going to be making these all season long when my mint is thriving! I even love these so much that I cut off a few mint sprigs to root so that I can grow mint in my house all winter long!
More Delicious Gin Cocktails:
Tart Cherry Negroni - take a classic negroni on a fruity spin with tart cherry juice!
Blackberry Cocktail - a favorite fruity cocktail!
Gin Mojito - another favorite gin and mint cocktail!
Hibiscus Collins - because pretty pink cocktails are always welcome here!
Midori Gin and Tonic - my cocktail answer to St. Patrick's Day green beer!
For even more be sure and follow my Gin Cocktails and Recipes Board on Pinterest.
Southside Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin dry
- ¾ ounce lemon juice freshly squeezed and strained
- 2 teaspoons simple syrup
- 6 mint leaves plus more for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker combine the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and mint leaves.
- Fill the shaker ¾ full with ice.
- Put a lid on the shaker and shake vigorously for 15 seconds.
- Strain into a martini glass and garnish with fresh mint.
Amanda M Mason says
That Plymouth Gin looks and sounds so delish! Such a pretty cocktail, too! I love a simple beverate and that is what this one is! Simple and delish!
Karyl Henry says
I haven't had gin in AGES, but I'm loving the simplicity of this cocktail! This would be great for the rest of summer as a refreshing drink for the hot days.
Pam Greer says
You have to try it!
Jo says
What an amazing cocktail. Very refreshing, and flavors are perfect. On hot summer afternoon, a glass of this cocktail would be amazing
Pam Greer says
It is absolutely perfect for hot summer afternoons!
Tammy says
Oooh this looks so beautiful and elegant. I love mint and lemon...perfect end of season cocktail.
Pam Greer says
It is!
Cathleen @ A Taste of Madness says
4 ingredients?? I am already sold! This sounds like my kind of drink to kick off the weekend 🙂
Kelly Anthony says
This southside cocktail looks so refreshing and has another way for me to try my new favorite liquor.
Pam Greer says
It's so good, you'll have to let me know what you think!
Rebecca Blackwell says
A good friend of mine came by tonight with a whole bunch of fresh mint from her garden. What did we do with it? Added it to these cocktails! Delicious recipe!
Pam Greer says
So glad you liked it!
Elaine Benoit says
I love a good gin cocktail and this Southside martini looks absolutely fabulous!! I love that you used Plymouth gin! Can't wait to make this cocktail for my sister and family this weekend!
Pam Greer says
Gin cocktails are the best!
Chef Dennis says
I've always loved cocktail and I know the best when I see one! This cocktail looks really refreshing. The flavor is really perfect
Pam Greer says
It's so good!
Gloria | Homemade & Yummy says
This looks summer patio perfect. I know there are still some nice summer days left this season. I will give this a try....and enjoy an afternoon with a book.
Pam Greer says
Perfect with a book!
Amanda says
I just love this cocktail for the summer! With all the floral and citrusy notes from the gin and then the brightness from the mint and lemon, there isn't a more refreshing summer cocktail. Thanks for sharing!
Pam Greer says
So glad you like it!
Andrea Metlika says
The flavors of the lemon and mint sound so refreshing. Great cocktail to share with friends on a weekend.
Pam Greer says
It is refreshing and so good!
Tatiana says
It would be the perfect cocktail to welcome my guests to the party. It looks very fresh and tasty!
Pam Greer says
It would be! It's so good!
Jas @ All that's Jas says
Such a classy cocktail. I love your tip about freezing the lemon peel! Why didn't I think of that? 🙂
Pam Greer says
It took me forever before I finally realized to do it!