The origins of this lime and gin based cocktail recipe are hotly disputed. Some say the Southside came from the South Side District of Chicago, where Al Capone’s gang once ruled supreme, maintaining the flow of gin into the area during prohibition (this could have even been Al Capone’s favourite cocktail!). Others claim that the cocktail originated in New York, at the Southside Sportsmen’s Club in Long Island.

Wherever this zesty tipple was born, we are just glad it made it over the pond for us to enjoy today! Cheers!

Southside

Ingredients

60ml gin
30ml lime juice
15ml simple syrup
small handful of fresh mint leaves
salt to rim the glass (optional)
lime slice, to garnish

Method

Add all of the ingredients to a shaker (apart from the salt) with plenty of ice and shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass or champagne coupe, then garnish with a slice of lime.

Optional salted rim: For a flavoursome twist, add salt to a plate so it covers the base and a small glug of gin to another plate. Place your glass facing down in the gin so the rim is moistened, then do the same into the salt until the entire rim is coated with the crystals. Do this before starting the cocktail recipe.