This simple Eastside Cocktail recipe will brighten your spring! It's the perfect drink for the season with Gin, lime juice, simple syrup, and fresh mint and cucumber.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
197
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- 1 oz fresh lime juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 6-8 mint leaves
- 2 cucumber slices
Equipment
- Shaker
- Muddler
- Strainer & Fine-strainer
- Coupe Glass
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Chill your coupe glass.
- Muddle: In your shaker, muddle 2 cucumber slices.
- Add Mint: Add 6-8 mint leaves into the shaker
- Add Ingredients: Pour in ¾ oz simple syrup, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and 2 oz Gin.
- Shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake it well until well combined.
- Strain: Fine strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a cucumber wheel or mint sprig if desired.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Gin: If you're out of Gin, vodka is a great substitute that will allow the other flavors to shine through. For a more floral note, try using elderflower liqueur instead.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Bottled lime juice can work in a pinch if fresh limes aren't available. However, I always recommend fresh when possible for the best flavor.
- Simple Syrup: If you don't have simple syrup, you can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over heat. Alternatively, agave nectar or honey can be used for a different sweetness profile.
Making a Pitcher of Eastside Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher serving 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That's 16 oz of Gin, 8 oz of fresh lime juice, and 6 oz of simple syrup. You'll also need about 48-64 mint leaves and 16 cucumber slices.
- Mix: Muddle the cucumber slices in a large pitcher. Clap the mint leaves between your hands and place them into the pitcher. Add the Gin, lime juice, and simple syrup, add ice cubes and stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into individual chilled coupe glasses, garnish as desired, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; several on the market do an excellent job of mimicking the botanical flavors of Gin.
- Proceed As Usual: Replace the Gin with the non-alcoholic substitute and follow the rest of the recipe for a refreshing, non-alcoholic Eastside Cocktail.
Making it Vegan:
- Simple Syrup: Ensure your syrup is not made with sugar processed with bone char or other animal-derived products. Alternatively, use agave nectar as a sweetener, which is naturally vegan.
- Proceed As Usual: With this adjustment, your Eastside Cocktail will be vegan-friendly. Enjoy!
What is an Eastside Cocktail?
An Eastside Cocktail is a gin-based cocktail made of fresh lime juice, simple syrup, cucumber slices, and mint leaves. It’s relatively easy to make; however, it requires some preparation time as the cucumber must be muddled and the drink itself needs to be shaken. The Eastside Cocktail is a variant of the Southside Cocktail with an added twist of cucumber for a refreshing taste. This drink stands out due to its unique combination of ingredients that balance sweet and tart flavors while offering a delightful freshness from the cucumber and mint.
What is an Eastside Cocktail made of – The ingredients
Get ready to mix an Eastside Cocktail with these ingredients:
- Gin: The primary spirit provides the cocktail with its robust and aromatic base.
- Lime Juice: Adds a tart, citrusy flavor that balances out the sweetness of other ingredients.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the cocktail and helps to blend the flavors.
- Mint Leaves: Infuse the cocktail with a refreshing, herbal note.
- Cucumber Slices: Enhance the drink’s freshness and add a crisp, clean finish.
