Get a little fresh with this cool, cucumber-infused cocktail.
When I lived in New York City, there was a cool spot on the Lower East Side called Libation. Based on its name, you’re probably guessing that this establishment served alcoholic beverages. And you’d be correct. Unfortunately, this bar no longer exists, but a cocktail created there in 2004 by George Delgado still does… a contemporary spin on the classic Southside, this one is naturally named the Eastside.
Muddling cucumber and mint, this gin and lime juice infused elixir can be topped off with club soda. This option will brighten up your drink, cutting the flavors of the tart citrus as well as enhancing the fresh notes from the infused ingredients. This was how the original Libation version of the cocktail was served, but at the bar Milk and Honey, it was served straight up with no carbonated mixer and became very popular. In fact, most recipes I’ve seen for the Eastside omit the club soda.
The original Southside cocktail was a favorite of Prohibition-era gangster Al Capone. Mixing lemon juice, sugar and mint together to mask the harsh and horrid taste of bootleg bathtub gin, the drink survived through the years to become a boozy icon, standing alongside other classic tipples like the Manhattan, Martini and Old Fashioned.
This cucumber-infused refreshment from the newer Eastside helps cement it in the hallowed halls of hoochdom. If the evening is too hot and you need a little cooling down, a few sips of this will give you chills, but in a good way.
What is the Best Gin to Use in an Eastside Cocktail?
Any crisp and juniper-forward London Dry gin will help make your Eastside jump with lovely herbaceous botanicals. I do highly recommend trying this drink with a refreshing Hendrick’s gin, a Scottish spirit made with notes of cucumber and rose. Your beverage will be all the more thirst-quenching with the extra fresh flavors that the Hendrick’s provides. It’s one of my favorite gins and I always have a bottle or two on the shelf.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 2 cucumber slices
- 5 mint leaves and a sprig of mint for garnish
Instructions
- Add the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Add cucumber slices to the shaker and muddle them vigorously to release their flavor.
- Add mint leaves to the shaker and gently press them with the muddler to release their aromatic oils without shredding them.
- Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds.
- Double strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a cucumber slice or a sprig of mint.
Nutrition
FAQs & Tips
Chill a coupe in your freezer for up to fifteen minutes before pouring your Eastside into it. Garnish with a sprig of mint and slice of cucumber.
I wouldn’t recommend storing and saving any cocktail that includes muddled ingredients. The flavors may become too intense if infused too long. This drink is best when made and served fresh.
Each serving will be around 290 calories, so this isn’t the lightest drink on the menu.
Yes, you can. If you find the flavors of the Eastside too pronounced, club soda will lighten your cocktail up a bit.
Similar Drinks to the Eastside Cocktail
If the Eastside tickled your fancy and piqued your interest in other drinks like it, you’ll be pleased to know that there are a number of cocktails out there that favor the one we made tonight. Twist & Toast has a generous array of sweet, tart and robust recipes that are easy to make as well as drink. Try out some of these below and you might just discover your new, favorite sipper.
- Southside Cocktail – The Eastside wouldn’t exist without this classic 1920s libation.
- French Gimlet – St. Germain adds a gentle floral sweetness to this gin-based dram.
- Gin Mojito – Try your next mojito with gin instead of rum for a more herbaceous experience.
- Bourbon Smash – Strong, refreshing, tart and tangy, the Bourbon Smash is a perfect companion on a hot evening.
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