Refresh yourself with this quick West Side Cocktail recipe! Blend lemon vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, fresh mint, and club soda for an ideal summer drink.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 195
Ingredients
- 2 oz Lemon Vodka - originally Charbay Meyer
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 8-12 leaves fresh mint
- 1 oz club soda - to top up
- Ice cubes
- Mint sprig or leaf - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Martini or Coupe Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill a Martini or Coupe glass with ice. Give it a quick stir and set it aside.
- Add Mint: Drop 8 to 12 fresh mint leaves into the shaker.
- Add Sugar: Add ¾ ounce of simple syrup.
- Add Lemon: Add 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Add Lemon Vodka: Measure and pour 2 ounces of lemon vodka into the shaker as well.
- Shake Well: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Add Club Soda: Open the shaker and add a dash (approx. 1 ounce) of club soda inside. Swirl it gently 3 or 4 times.
- Strain: Take the Coupe or Martini glass and discard the ice inside. Then, using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the shaken drink into the chilled glass.
- Garnish: Garnish with a mint sprig or leaf and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Lemon Vodka: If you don't have lemon vodka, use regular vodka and add a bit more fresh lemon juice for that citrus kick. You can also prepare your own by infusing the peel of a lemon into a bottle of vodka: peel the lemon and carefully remove the white part from the peel you’ve been extracting. Express the peels, drop them into the bottle, and let it rest for 2-3 days for the flavor to infuse. Strain to remove the peel and store it in a cool, dark place.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch, but I prefer fresh for its vibrant flavor. Fresh lime juice can be an interesting twist if you're out of lemons.
- Simple Syrup: You can make your own simple syrup by dissolving sugar and water in equal parts over low heat. Honey syrup (2 parts honey mixed with 1 part water) is another great alternative for a richer taste.
- Club Soda: Any sparkling water will be used to prepare this cocktail.
Making a Pitcher of West Side Cocktail:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of lemon vodka, 8 oz of fresh lemon juice, 6 oz of simple syrup, approximately 8 oz. of club soda, and 5 handfuls of fresh mint leaves.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the lemon vodka, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup. Take the mint leaves, smack them between your hands to release their aromatic oils, and drop them into the pitcher. Stir well and leave it to rest for 15 minutes for the flavors to infuse.
- Stir and serve: Add ice and stir well. Strain to remove the ice and the mint leaves and pour immediately into chilled Martini or coupe glasses. Top up each drink with a splash of club soda, garnish with a mint sprig of fresh leaf and serve immediately. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Vodka Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic vodka or gin substitute; these are available and mimic the flavor profile quite well.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The West Side cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including vodka, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. If you’re in doubt, always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is a West Side Cocktail?
A West Side Cocktail is a vodka-based drink made of lemon vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, and club soda. This refreshing cocktail is easy to prepare and offers a delightful balance of citrusy and minty flavors, perfect for warm weather.
What is a West Side Cocktail made of – The ingredients
Use these ingredients to mix a West Side Cocktail:
- Lemon Vodka: Adds a citrusy kick and serves as the base spirit.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: Enhances the citrus flavor and adds freshness.
- Simple Syrup: Sweetens the cocktail and balances the tartness of the lemon juice.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Infuse a refreshing, aromatic element into the drink.
- Club Soda: Lightens the cocktail and adds a fizzy texture.
- Ice Cubes: Chills the drink and keeps it refreshing.
- Mint Sprig or Leaf (optional): Garnishes the drink, adding visual appeal and extra aroma.
