Eastside recipe
A garden-fresh gin sour with cucumber, mint, lime, and just enough sweetness to make it disappear quickly.
Method: Shake ·
Glass: Coupe glass ·
Time: 4 min ·
Difficulty: Intermediate ·
Family: The Daiquiri Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin
- 3/4 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 3/4 oz Simple Syrup
- 3 Cucumber Slices
- 6 Mint Leaves
How to make a Eastside
- Gently press cucumber and mint in the bottom of a shaker—do not pulverize them.
- Add gin, lime juice, syrup, and ice.
- Shake hard for 12 seconds.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe.
- Garnish with cucumber and a lightly slapped mint sprig.
Garnish
Cucumber ribbon and mint sprig.
Pro tip
Muddle mint softly. Bruised, shredded mint releases bitterness and makes the drink taste grassy instead of fresh.
History of the Eastside
The Eastside grew out of the Southside and became a modern Los Angeles favorite in the 2000s. Cucumber turns a classic gin sour into something cooler and more fragrant.
Flavour profile
Fresh, Cucumber, Herbal, Citrus
Variations
- Eastside Rickey — Serve over ice in a highball and top with soda.
- Vodka Eastside — Use vodka for a cleaner cucumber-and-mint profile.
- Spicy Eastside — Add one thin jalapeño slice before shaking.
Practise making the Eastside in the free Virtual Bar game.