Easy Classic Gin Cocktail : Eastside Recipe

This post is going to show you exactly how to make the classic cocktail the Eastside.

The Eastside is a cocktail that was inspired by the Gimlet! A gimlet is a cocktail that has gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. The Eastside takes an even fresher route and adds cucumbers and mint! A magical combination to say the least.

With the addition of cucumber, the Eastside stands apart from its close friend the Southside. The Eastside is probably the number one recommendation for someone out there just stepping into the gin world! I promise this is one of the most refreshing, easy to drink, and easy to make cocktails you will ever try!

Perfect for sipping on a warm Summer day, and fun to make for a party or a group of friends. Let’s get right into it!

“Eastside”

What You Will Need

Alcohol:

The main spirit for this Eastside cocktail is gin! I will be using Plymouth Gin. Since we are making an entry level gin cocktail, I figured we will also use an entry level London Dry Gin! Plymouth Gin meets all the requirements to be called a London Dry Gin but it is much more approachable. On the palate you will enjoy citrus, coriander, cardamon, and black pepper! The juniper is smoothed over by these flavors as well as the botanicals that are present. Overall this is an excellent gin to have in your home bar! I got my bottle at Total Wine and More but you can find this at Bevmo, grocery stores, and most liquor stores!

Citrus and Other Fresh Ingredients:

The fresh citrus that will be used in this Eastside cocktail is Fresh Lime Juice! Squeezing your own fresh juices is a MUST when making cocktails. Your cocktails will be elevated instantly! Don’t worry, no one will judge you for the pre fresh juice days, we’ve all had to do what we had to do! In the photo above I am using my stainless steel hand-pressed citrus juicer. If you’re ready to start using fresh juice, this is the tool for you! This may be one of my favorite additions to my home bar. I have never owned a juicer that was so easy to squeeze, had a pour spout, and also was able to fit multiple pieces of fruit in at once. It has been a game changer for my home bar! If you’re ready to take your cocktails to the next level you can check out a citrus juicer just like mine RIGHT HERE!

The ingredients that make this Eastside cocktail so refreshing and soothing are the Fresh Cucumber Slices and Mint Leaves! I always find that cucumber has a faint, yet profound flavor in cocktails. It’s almost like its there and it isn’t. What you can taste from the cucumber rind is delicious and you get an overall sense of refreshment during each sip. Mint immediately brightens a cocktail and will make the cucumber and fresh lime juice sing! Honestly this tastes like a cocktail you would most likely be able to get at a spa!

These fresh ingredients blend so well with the Plymouth Gin making this one of the smoothest gin cocktails out there. Get these ingredients at any local grocery store! For one cocktail I usually just buy one bushel of mint and one cucumber, but if you are making for a group buy as much as you will need. These are never bad ingredients to have a little bit extra of!

The sweetness in this Eastside cocktail comes from Simple Syrup. If there’s one thing that this syrup is, it would have to be SIMPLE. Different recipes call for different ratios depending on sweetness, but we will be using the simple ratio of 1:1. This means 1 part white sugar, to 1 part hot water.

• In a pot on the stove add desired amount of water.
• Bring water to a simmer and add equal parts of white sugar.
• Lower the heat as you stir the ingredients together.
• Once you have a syrup like consistency like in the photo above pull it off of the heat!
• All done!

The great thing about simple syrup is that it will last in the fridge for up to 3-4 weeks! If you plan on making multiple cocktails for friends, or more cocktails throughout the month then make a larger batch.

I love to store my syrups and juices in glass bottles like the one pictured above. These bottles fit pour spouts beautifully, add a professional look to your home bar, and fit in the fridge with ease! I found a really cool set on Amazon that comes with labels, spouts, tops, and more! You can check it out RIGHT HERE! Always remember to label and date your product so you and your friends can enjoy your cocktails at their highest quality.

 

The last ingredient is completely optional but one that I love including! I love adding just a pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt. In this Eastside cocktail the salt will enhance the citrus. I also love the how the salt plays with the flavor of the fresh cucumber. I feel that it makes the cucumber more prominent and the cocktail a little more bold overall. You can pick up Himalayan Pink Salt at any grocery store near you! Pink salt is my preference, but please use whatever you have on hand!

Bar Supplies:

The main thing you will need to make any cocktail with is a quality shaker! I swear by the Boston Shaker. I love having two tins to build a cocktail in and shake. I love the range of motion and dilution you get while using this shaker as well. I have always used a Boston Shaker at bars and in my home bar! There’s lots of techniques used for shaking different cocktails which always makes it fun and interesting.  If you want to check out a shaker just like mine you can RIGHT HERE! No doubt a home bar essential.

The next item that you won’t be able to function without is a Bar Jigger. An amazing cocktail is balanced, beautiful, and consistent. You can attain all three of those requirements by using a bar jigger. Bar jiggers help you precisecly measure your cocktail ingredients making sure you have a stunning drink every single time! My jigger in the photo above ranges from 1/4 oz to 2 oz. You can check out a jigger just like mine RIGHT HERE!

I do have to say that when I just began bartending, I used a jigger that was a little more simplified. This particular jigger had only one side, a pour spout, and very clear measuring lines. While I was learning it helped me grow my skills and get better everyday! If you want to check out the exact jigger I used and recommend for beginners I will leave it RIGHT HERE!

To muddle the fresh ingredients in the Eastside cocktail you will need a Bar Muddler! A muddler allows you to break down ingredients before you shake them. This allows oils, juices, and rinds to be expressed and released for extra flavor. In the photo above you can see that I am pushing down on the cucumbers and mint, and twisting.

Whenever there is a syrup involved in a recipe, in this case simple syrup, I like to add it into the tin and muddle a little more. I feel that this adds even more flavor for the syrup to soak in before shaking the cocktail! If you are interested in getting a muddler of your own I will link the exact muddler I used to use in the bar all the time RIGHT HERE!

Since the Eastside cocktail is full of fresh ingredients, we will most definitely be Double Straining! Double straining is a simple technique that involves using a Hawthorne Strainer and a Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer in conjunction with each other. This technique is mostly used when a cocktail is served UP.

A hawthorne strainer stops large items from the tin from entering into your clean glass. A fine mesh cocktail strainer will get any additional shredded ingredients or tiny shards of glass from entering your finished product. Double straining will really give you a clean and polished cocktail. Alas, if you enjoy tiny bits of cucumber and mint in this Eastside cocktail then just use the hawthrone strainer! You can check out a hawthorne strainer just like mine RIGHT HERE and a fine mesh cocktail strainer like mine RIGHT HERE!

I also must mention that you will need ICE. Lots of people have fridges with an ice dispenser which is perfect for you to use. Alas, if you do not have accessible fridge Ice, AKA ME, you will have to freeze your own! As you see above I use a silicone perfect ice cube tray. I will link an identical one that comes with a LID right HERE! I am lucky enough to have a cocktail store near me as well that  carries perfect ice in every size but that is not always the most affordable option. I would still suggest you check if any such stores exist near your location! Although a little more pricey, definitely worth it in quality!!!

I do recommend that if you are starting to create multiple cocktails at home, you should invest in your own personal little Bartending Kit. Most come with everything you will need as a beginner while others provide several items for more complex creations. I will put links to both a beginners set, and a more advanced set on Amazon below!

Beginners Kit : HERE

Advanced Kit : HERE.

Let’s Build!