The Story Behind The Southside
Falling somewhere between a Gimlet and a Mojito, the Southside is a quaffable and refreshing cocktail combining the herbaceousness of gin with mouthwatering limes and the cooling quality of freshly plucked mint.
There are many rumors surrounding this cocktail — that it was the favorite drink of infamous gangster Al Capone, who ruled Chicago’s South Side and mixed it up with his signature bathtub gin; that it actually hailed from Long Island’s Southside Sportsmen’s Club; or that it was popularized at historic New York speakeasy 21 Club.
Some even debate if it’s lemons or limes that should be squeezed into the drink; limes are used below to harken back to a more tropical feel. For a Tom Collins variation, try a Southside Fizz by topping the drink off with soda water. The Southside is no shrinking violet. It’s bold, refreshing, and currently one of the most popular cocktails on the planet. Take a look at the full list and see what other drinks made the cut.