Name: Southside Cocktail Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 10 mint leaves; 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice; 2 oz gin; 1 oz simple syrup; Fresh mint sprig (for garnish)

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The Southside Cocktail is a classic cocktail made with a combination of gin, fresh mint leaves, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup.

Smooth shot of southside cocktail , mint, lemons and cocktail tools on a table.

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Beat the heat with a refreshingly herbal Southside cocktail. This bright and vibrant gin-based sipper combines the cooling flavors of fresh mint, tart lime juice, and a touch of sweetness.

This delicious cocktail recipe is the perfect combination of a mint julep and a limoncello gin cocktail. With fresh mint leaves, lemon juice, gin, simple syrup, and garnished with a mint sprig, this drink was made for warmer weather.

Watch 🎥 How to Make a Gin Southside

What Is a Southside Cocktail?

The history of the Southside Cocktail are difficult to pinpoint. However, the oldest known printed recipe of this drink was written in Recipes for Mixed Drink, written by Hugo Enslinn in 1917. The drink began as the South Side Fizz, slowly morphing into the classic drink we all know today – the Southside Fizz.

Another origin story is that the drink became popular during the prohibition era due to Al Capone smuggling gin into Chicago’s South Side. However, the gin wasn’t smooth. It was quite harsh and bitter, leading people to add ingredients like citrus and sugar to make a more palatable drink, like our limoncello spritz. Cocktail historians have also argued that the drink could have been created at the Sportsmen’s Club in Long Island.

Whether it came from the South side of Chicago or the Southside Sportsmen’s Club in Long Island, the Southside Cocktail is a classic gin cocktail with a refreshingly sweet finish.

Close up of a southside drink in a cocktail glass with fresh mint.

What You’ll Love About this Gin Cocktail

EASY – this recipe only takes 5 minutes to whip up, making it the perfect pick-me-up.
REFRESHING – the mint and fresh lemon juice produce a vibrant, zesty cocktail that will cool you off better than a good sweat.

What You Need to Make a Southside Cocktail

Mint leaves – add a refreshing twist.
Freshly squeezed lemon juice – adds a kick of tanginess.
Gin – use your favorite brand.
Simple syrup – adds a hint of sweetness to counteract the testiness from the lemon and the fresh, piney flavor of the gin. You can make your own simple syrup if you like.
Fresh mint sprig – for garnish and a bright herbaceous pop.

How to Make a Southside Cocktail

Add the mint leaves and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker or mixing glass and muddle.
Pour the gin and simple syrup into the shaker and shake well.
Strain into a coupe glass and serve with a fresh sprig of mint.

Lemon juice being poured into a cocktail shaker.

Expert Recipe Tips

For a tangy twist, use fresh lime juice instead of lemon juice.
For a hint of fizz, add a splash of club soda.
Make this cocktail in batches for parties or brunch.

How to serve this cocktail

Pour your drink in a coupe glass, martini glass, or any basic cocktail glass. Serve as an afternoon cocktail to sip on before or after dinner as a light refreshment.

This mint cocktail is a refreshing drink, perfect for sipping after a long hot day. If you’ve got 5 minutes, you can make this classic Southside Cocktail.

Mint sprig in a smooth southside cocktail with cocktail jigger and lemon on table.

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Whether you want to try a new cocktail or you just feel like sipping on something light, this Southside Cocktail is the perfect choice. If you try this recipe, please rate the recipe card and leave a comment down below to help out the next reader!