Southside Cocktail

Origins

The “Southside cocktail,” a drink with a Prohibition-era connection, is often linked to the South Side of Chicago, where Al Capone’s gang dominated. The South Side of Chicago, controlled by gangsters like Al Capone, was known for its “bathtub gin” (poor-quality, homemade spirits).

Bartenders on the South Side were creative in masking the harsh taste of the local spirits, often using fresh, aromatic ingredients like citrus and mint.

The Southside cocktail, with its blend of gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and mint, became a way to make the “bathtub gin” more palatable and enjoyable

Ingredients

2 ounces Otter Creek Distilling Gold Gin

1 ounce Fresh Lime Juice

1 ounce Gomme Syrup

6-8 Mint Leaves Fresh

Instructions

Add mint leaves to smaller shaker tin, and lightly muddle.

Add the rest of the ingredients to the shaker with ice.

Shake mildly for about 10 seconds, so as not to pulverize the mint.

Double strain into a coupe cocktail glass.

Garnish with fresh mint

*traditional Gomme Syrup recipe can be found in our bartenders book or come and visit our Distillery for more information.