The Southside

Today’s clever cocktail is a cross between a Gimlet and Mojito.  As with many cocktails its origins are vague, it potentially coming from Chicago’s Southside or from the Sportsmen's Club on Long Island.  Regardless, it was first introduced around the time of prohibition and has evolved from there into the contemporary recipe we offer you today.  It has a great refreshing nature with lovely aromatics from a combination of mint and gin.  It can be enjoyed traditionally served chilled a straight up or tall with the addition of ice and soda in a version known as the Southside Spritz.

The Southside

In a shaker glass add:

• A Small Handful of Fresh Mint Leaves
• 1 Ounce Fresh Squeezed Lemon Juice
•  ½ Ounce Simple Syrup

Muddle gently to release the mints aromatics then add:

• 2 Ounces of London Dry Gin
• Ice to Fill the Shaker

Shake till painfully cold then double strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.

Variation: Strain over ice into a tall glass and top with club soda for a Southside Spritz.