The Southside cocktail recipe is a gin mint cocktail that tastes like a gin mojito or maybe a mint gimlet. It’s one of the easiest and most delicious cocktails to serve at your next dinner party. It’s a classic cocktail recipe that deserves to be in your top five because it’s the perfect sip, like how the Chambord Gin and Tonic has made quite an impression on many of you.

I know every time I make a new cocktail, I say, “this is my new favorite,” but I mean it this time! The citrusy, sweet, minty, and botanical flavor in this cocktail is irresistible and downright delicious. This is the cocktail you make for dinner parties, brunch, and ladies’ night, and it would even be a great signature wedding cocktail. Don’t sleep on this one!

Southside cocktail history

This cocktail can be traced back to 1916, but as with many cocktail recipes, its origins are subject to speculation. It has been said that it gets its name from the South Side district of Chicago, Illinois, as the drink may have been the preferred beverage of Al Capone, whose gang dominated Chicago’s South Side.

According to the International Bar Association via Wikipedia, The gin imported by Capone’s rivals on the North Side of Chicago was smooth and usually consumed with ginger ale. However, the gin consumed by Al Capone’s gang had a rougher finish and required more sweeteners to make it palatable. Thus the South Side was born.

Some also say the South Side may have originated from the Southside Sportsmen’s Club on Long Island.

Southside Cocktail Ingredients

Lemon or lime juice. I used lemon juice because I prefer lemon and gin, but either or both will work in this cocktail.

Fresh mint leaves for mixing and garnish. Try to choose some good-looking mint.

Simple Syrup for sweetness. I use a 1:1 mix of sugar and hot water.

Dry Gin such as Tanqueray, St. George, Bayab, or any gin you like the best.

How to make a Southside cocktail

Start by adding the mint and lemon juice to a shaker and gently muddle the mint to release the oils. Be careful not to break the mint by muddling too hard because it will release a bitter taste into your drink. If it’s easier, stir the mint into the lemon juice.

Add in the simple syrup, gin, and ice, then shake the cocktail until it’s chilled.

Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a mint sprig. The purpose of double straining is to prevent the mint and ice from getting into the cocktail.