Eastside Cocktail Recipe

Picture this: it’s a sunny afternoon, and you’re chilling on your patio with your besties, sunglasses on, feeling like you’re starring in one of those lifestyle commercials. A refreshing Eastside Cocktail is in hand, boasting the crisp allure of cucumber, a hint of mint, and that zesty kick of lime—a concoction that just screams summer vibes. Cheers to lounging and living your best life! 🍸☀️

The Eastside Cocktail is a drink I take a particular pleasure in making. Its ingredient list is small but includes some of my favorite flavors.

And the balance it achieves is really lovely: an ice-cold, invigorating drink whose flavor is as complex as it is refreshing. Muddle the mint leaves and cucumber slices in the bottom of a shaker, then add ice and the rest of the ingredients.

Shake vigorously, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a simple mint sprig.

Eastside Cocktail Recipe Ingredients

• Gin: A juniper-flavored spirit, aromatic and crisp.
• Lime Juice: Fresh lime adds tangy acidity and vitamin C.
• Simple Syrup: Sweetens to balance the cocktail’s sour notes.
• Mint Leaves: Refreshing aroma, cooling flavor, aids digestion.
• Cucumber Slices: Light, hydrating, subtle earthiness.

Eastside Cocktail Recipe Ingredient Quantities

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup
• 6 mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
• 2 cucumber slices
• Ice cubes
• Optional: Mint sprig or cucumber slice for garnish

How to Make this Eastside Cocktail Recipe

1. Muddle the mint leaves and cucumber slices in a cocktail shaker with the intent of making them release their flavors.

2. Place the gin, uncomplicated lime juice, and straightforward syrup into the shaker.

3. Chill the ingredients by filling the shaker with ice cubes.

4. Close the shaker tightly. Shake it hard for about 15 seconds to make sure everything is well combined and ice-cold.

5. Pour the blended mixture into a cocktail glass that is very icy and very clean. You want the glass to be cold, and to be able to really appreciate the visual effect of the mint leaves and cucumber. If you want to catch mint bits and cucumber pulp, use a strainer with small enough holes that it can catch those things. If you’re fearless, you can omit the straining, and essentially end up with a virgin mojito with blended cucumber. After you strain, you can garnish it with mint leaves (fresh as well as blown up by the blender).

6. You may add a mint sprig or another slice of cucumber for a garnish that will make your drink look and taste even better.

7. Enjoy the refreshing taste of the Eastside Cocktail by serving it immediately.

8. If you want, you can scale the ingredients up to make a batch, but for the best flavor, shake each serving to order.

9. You can adjust the lime juice or simple syrup to taste, depending on personal preference for tartness or sweetness.

10. For the best flavor and aroma, always use fresh ingredients.

Eastside Cocktail Recipe Equipment Needed

1. Cocktail shaker
2. Muddler
3. Jigger (or measuring tool for liquid ingredients)
4. Knife (for slicing cucumber and lime)
5. Cutting board
6. Strainer (optional, for removing mint bits and cucumber pulp)
7. Cocktail glass
8. Ice cube tray (for making ice cubes)

FAQ

• Can I use any type of gin for the Eastside Cocktail?Certainly, any old gin will do, but London Dry Gin is often the favored choice for its razor-sharp flavors and precise botanical balance.
• How do I make simple syrup at home?Combine equal parts of water and sugar in a saucepan, heat until the sugar is dissolved, then let cool before using.
• Can I substitute lime juice with lemon juice?Although lime juice is the traditional choice, you can use lemon juice instead; it will offer a slightly different flavor profile.
• Is it necessary to muddle the mint and cucumber?Indeed, muddling is one of the best methods for releasing the essential oils and flavors that make a cocktail not only “something to sip and savor” but also “aromatic and delightful,” as F. Paul Pacult write in his book Kindred Spirits: A Connoisseur’s Journey Through the Cocktail Renaissance.

  Muddling in a glass helps release the essential oils that produce the pronounced flavors that make a cocktail not only “something to sip and savor” but also “aromatic and delightful.”

• What kind of ice is best for serving?Utilize conventional ice cubes, for they melt at a steady rate and ensure that the beverage remains cold while not too quickly moving toward a state of more dilution.
• Can I add extra mint leaves for a stronger mint flavor?Of course, if you want to increase the minty freshness in your cocktail, you can muddy in more mint leaves. Use your judgment, and err on the side of mint, if you like. Acts to keep in mind when making the cocktails—influences that can change the flavor from intended—are overmuddling, doing it too vigorously, and undermixing, which can lead to the wearing off of flavors.

Eastside Cocktail Recipe Substitutions and Variations

1 oz vodka instead of the gin for a different base spirit.
A substitute for lime juice is 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Substitute 3/4 oz agave syrup for simple syrup to achieve a different sweetness profile.
Instead of mint leaves, use 6 basil leaves to experience a uniquely flavored twist.
2 slices of zucchini instead of cucumber slices for a slightly different taste and texture.

Pro Tips

1. Use Fresh Ingredients: Always use the freshest mint leaves and cucumbers available. Fresh ingredients will significantly enhance the flavor and aroma of your cocktail.