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    Home All Cocktails

    Eastside Cocktail

    Published: Jun 3, 2022 · Modified: Mar 24, 2023 by Kimberly · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · Leave a Comment

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    Side view of an Eastside cocktail in a nick and nora cocktail glass with a cucumber and mint garnish, with the text Eastside Cocktail above the drink image.
    Side view of an Eastside cocktail in a nick and nora cocktail glass with a cucumber and mint garnish, with the text Eastside Cocktail above the drink image.

    The refreshing Eastside Cocktail is a delicious delicious gin-based drink made with cucumber, lime, and mint. It's an amazing combination to sip on a hot afternoon! This drink is a riff on a Southside cocktail, with the cucumber added to make it even more refreshing.

    Close up view of the Eastside cocktail on a gray countertop with a zigzag cucumber strip garnish and a sprig of mint.

    Just as the Southside can be considered a riff on the classic Gimlet, the Eastside cocktail recipe adds on to the formula by adding fresh cucumber. This addition is inspired, as the bright flavor goes perfectly with the lime and mint.

    You can also check out this Cucumber Gin Spritzer for a light summertime drink with similar flavors!

    Jump to:
    • Eastside Cocktail History
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Top tip
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Eastside Cocktail History

    The classic Eastside cocktail was developed by bartender George Delgado in 2004 at Libation in New York City. He served the drink as a highball with ice and seltzer. 

    Another bartender, Christy Pope, took the idea to another NYC bar called Milk & Honey, where it changed more into the style we normally see today (serving it up, without ice).

    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you'll need to have on hand to make an Eastside cocktail.

    • Gin - I used Hendrick's Gin in this cocktail, which is a great fit since it already has some cucumber flavors in it. A London dry gin would also work great.
    • Lime juice - preferably fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
    • Simple syrup - you can use store bought, or see my simple syrup recipe for how to make your own.
    • Fresh mint - this brings loads of flavor! Fresh is best for the mint.
    • Fresh cucumber - this is really the star ingredient here! It's used in the drink itself as well as a garnish.
    Ingredients needed to make an Eastside cocktail together on a gray countertop.

    Substitutions

    This is a pretty simple recipe, so substituting anything will change the taste a lot. Here are some things you can substitute:

    • Gin - if you don't have gin (or you're not a gin person), you can use vodka. Technically this can't be called an Eastside, but it'll have a lot of the same flavors and still taste great. Or, tequila blanco would work as well.
    • Lime juice - You can substitute the lime juice with lemon juice, which will make the drink a tiny bit less sour, but still tasty.
    • Simple syrup - you can substitute in maple syrup if you don't have this on hand. 

    Variations

    Looking for different ways to spice up this drink? Try these variations:

    • Spicy Eastside - muddle 2 to 3 slices of fresh jalapeño along with the cucumber for a spicy and peppery kick.
    • Basil Eastside - instead of fresh mint, try switching in fresh basil leaves. They have a similar flavor profile and are delicious for a new take on this drink.
    • Eastside Highball - instead of serving this drink up (without ice in a stemmed glass), serve it in a tall highball glass filled with ice, and top it off with seltzer. This is the way the drink was originally developed, and it's really delicious this way!
    • Eastside Spritz - make the drink as per the recipe, but reduce the gin by half. Add it to a spritz glass filled with ice and top with 3 ounces of Prosecco. A delicious and bubbly option!
    Overhead view of Eastside cocktail with cucumber and mint garnish on a gray countertop with a bottle of gin, fresh mint and cocktail tools in the background.

    Equipment

    To make this drink, you'll need a cocktail shaker and strainer, a jigger, and a muddler. If you have one, also grab a fine-mesh strainer to make sure no chunks get into the drink.

    You'll also want to have a citrus press juicer along with a knife and cutting board if you're using fresh citrus. For the garnish in the photos, you'll also need a vegetable peeler and a cocktail pick or toothpick.

    The serving glass I used is a Nick and Nora cocktail glass. A coupe glass or martini glass also work great for this drink. Look for a glass capacity of about 5 ounces.

    Looking for new bar equipment? I really love the products from A Bar Above! Use my discount code, LKDrinks, for 10% off your purchase. Their bar tools are top notch (and dishwasher safe, too!)

    Instructions

    To make this drink, start out by making the garnish. Use a vegetable peeler to cut a long strip of cucumber, and thread it onto a cocktail pick. (It's a little easier to use the portion of cucumber where there are no seeds). Also, chill your serving glass if you can.

    Peeling a cucumber into strips.
    Hands making a zigzag of a cucumber strip and threading it onto a cocktail pick.

    Set the garnish aside and cut some slices of your cucumber. Add them along with the lime juice to a cocktail shaker. Muddle well, until it is mashed up.

    Hand adding lime juice to a cocktail shaker using a jigger.
    Hands muddling cucumber slices and lime juice in a cocktail shaker.

    Then, add the mint leaves to the shaker and muddle again, but more gently this time. (If you over-muddle the mint, it can give the drink an unpleasant bitterness.) You could also skip the mint muddling and just clap it between your hands instead.

    After that, add the simple syrup and gin to the cocktail shaker.

    Hand gently muddling fresh mint.
    Hand pouring clear liquid from a silver jigger into a cocktail shaker.

    Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously, about 15-20 times.

    Hand using an ice scoop to add ice to a cocktail shaker.
    Hands shaking a cocktail shaker.

    Double strain the cocktail into your serving glass (use a regular strainer and fine mesh strainer together). Add the garnish to the top of the glass, and then add on a sprig of mint if you'd like. Serve immediately.

    Straining a cocktail in to a cocktail glass using two strainers.
    Hand adding a sprig of mint to a cocktail as a garnish.

    Hint: If you want to get a little extra kick of lime aroma, squeeze a piece of lime peel over top of the drink just before serving.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is an Eastside cocktail?

    An Eastside is a gin cocktail made with lime juice, simple syrup, fresh mint, and fresh cucumber.

    How do you make cucumber cocktails?

    The easiest way to flavor your cocktail with cucumber is to muddle fresh cucumber. Cucumbers have a lot of water, and they release their flavor easily as you mash them up.

    What gins go best with cucumber?

    The best gin for cucumber flavored drinks is Hendrick's Gin, which is already lightly infused with a cucumber flavor. For a more budget-friendly option, Aviation Gin or Citadelle Gin also work great with cucumber. Any London Dry style of gin will also work fine.

    Top tip

    You can amp up the flavor of this drink by flavoring your simple syrup. Try a mint syrup by making your own simple syrup and letting the mint steep in the hot syrup while it cools. This is the same method as my Sage Syrup recipe.

    📖 Recipe

    Side view of an Eastside cocktail in a nick and nora cocktail glass with a cucumber and mint garnish.

    Eastside Cocktail

    Kimberly Salem
    The refreshing Eastside is a gin cocktail with the flavors of cucumber, lime and mint.
    5 from 1 vote
    Pin Recipe Print Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 cocktail
    Calories 202 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Cocktail shaker and strainer
    • 1 Jigger or measuring cup
    • 1 Cocktail serving glass (Nick and Nora)
    • 1 Citrus juicer (if you're using fresh lime)
    • 1 Knife and cutting board (if you're using fresh lime)
    • 1 Vegetable peeler (for garnish)
    • 1 Cocktail pick (for garnish)

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces gin (I used Hendrick's Gin)
    • 1 ounce lime juice (preferably freshly squeezed)
    • ¾ ounce simple syrup
    • 3-4 slices fresh cucumber
    • 6-8 fresh mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish

    Instructions
     

    Garnish

    • Use the vegetable peeler to peel long strips of the cucumber. Peel until you get a strip that is the width and length you want. Keep the strip pretty thin so it will bend easily.
    • Gently fold the cucumber strip into a loose zigzag, and thread the strip onto a cocktail pick. Set this part of the garnish aside.

    Cocktail

    • Add the lime juice and cucumber slices to the bottom of your cocktail shaker.
    • Muddle the juice and cucumber together.
    • Add in the mint leaves and gently muddle a few times more.
    • Add in the simple syrup and gin.
    • Fill the shaker with ice and shake about 15-20 times.
    • Strain the drink into your serving glass.
    • Rest the cucumber garnish on top of the glass. Add a mint sprig and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 202kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 16mgPotassium: 110mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 284IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword alcohol, cucumber, gin, lime, mint
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    Side view of an Eastside cocktail in a nick and nora cocktail glass with a cucumber and mint garnish, with the text Eastside Cocktail above the drink image.

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