Looking for an easy sipper? Look no further than the Eastside cocktail. This drink is crisp and refreshing and perfect for a hot summer day.

eastside cocktail with cucumber and mint on glass

What is an Eastside Cocktail?

The Eastside cocktail is a refreshing, herbal, minty, cucumber concoction. It has a crisp and refreshing taste from the cucumber and mint. And the gin adds in a herbal or botanical flavor.

Gin is made from juniper berries which tend to have an almost pine like flavor. It also incorporates a wide variety of other herbs, spices and citrus flavors. It is a very robust, multi-flavored liquor.

The Eastside Cocktail is pretty similar to the Southside cocktail. The only difference between the two is the addition of the muddled cucumber to this drink.

The crisp, minty flavor of this drink is so perfect for hot summer days. It is a perfect sipping cocktail for days by the pool or summer BBQs.

How to Muddle Ingredients

For this cocktail you have to muddle both the mint leaves as well as the cucumber. When you muddle ingredients, the goal is to simply get some of their juices or flavors mixed into the drink. You want to be sure that you do not smash or pulverize the ingredients too much.

Mint can be particularly potent if you muddle it with too much gusto. So, when muddling in this drink, just remember, less is often times more.

How to make this drink:

Though this cocktail isn’t as simple as just tossing some ingredients together, it’s still not too difficult to make. And the refreshing crisp taste is worth the time.

Equipment:

Ingredients:

2 oz gin
.75 oz simple syrup
1 oz lime
Ice
3 Cucumber Slices
10 mint leaves

Instructions:

Step one

Before you get started making the drink, you want to gather all of your ingredients as well as your glass, muddler, shaker and jigger.

Step two

Next, fill your glass full of ice. You can use either a gimlet or a rocks glass for this drink.

Step three

Then, you want to slice your cucumber into three or so medium thick slices. And then toss those into cocktail shaker.

Step four

Next, grab your mint and pick off or around 10 leaves and also toss those in your cocktail shaker with your cucumber.

Step Five

Grab your jigger and measure one ounce of lime juice. Pour that into your Shaker with your cucumber and mint.

Step six

Again using your jigger measure ¾ of an ounce of simple syrup and add that to the shaker.

Step Seven

Take your muddler, place it in your cocktail shaker and gently grind the cucumber mint lime and simple syrup concoction. Be sure to not be too rough, just enough pressure and motion to get the flavors and juices out of the mint and cucumber.

Step Eight

Once you have muddled the cucumber and mint leaves you can use your jigger to add 2 oz of gin to your shaker.

Step Nine

Put the top on your shaker and shake ingredients for around 15 or 20 seconds.

Remove the top, put the Hawthorne strainer on your shaker and pour the liquid from your shaker to your rock’s glass over your ice.

Step Ten

For the garnish, you will cut one additional slice of cucumber. Cut a small notch in the side of the cucumber and place it on the rim of your glass.

Grab a small sprig of mint leaves and add that to the side of the glass as well.

And with that it’s ready to enjoy!

Recipe