For the curious home bartenders out there, I've set aside a dedicated list of all the ingredients you'll need. Now let's dive into the history.
The South Side has two competing origin stories, both fascinating. The most romantic places it in the Prohibition-era Chicago, in the hands of Al Capone's gangsters on the South Side of the city: the gin they received was so harsh they added mint and lemon to make it drinkable. A more refined parallel theory places it at the South Side Sportsmen's Club of Long Island, a Victorian-era hunting club frequented by J.P. Morgan and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
Whichever origin you prefer, the South Side became the house cocktail of the 21 Club in New York, the legendary speakeasy frequented by the elite of the Prohibition era. Today it is an understated classic, the fresher, more elegant cousin of the Mojito, with gin in place of rum and an aristocratic posture that has survived almost a century.
To make this recipe shine, pair a great story with great tools. A barman kit like the one I use from Amazon is the perfect starting point: compact, complete, and ready. For those ready to take the next step, a professional cocktail bar station is a real game-changer — think of it as your personal speakeasy.