There comes that moment when the teacher becomes the student and when it comes to cocktail creating, I was a novice. However, my son, Sam, is a pro! He gladly stepped in and offered a “cocktail” making class at the spur of the moment when I wanted a delicious, cool, crisp drink to hopefully impress a guest.
An EastSide is a super refreshing gin-based drink. Lightly muddled cucumber, fresh mint, lime juice and simple syrup are shaken together, poured over ice and garnished with fresh mint and cucumber. After one, I promise you’ll have a new favorite cocktail that is perfect for summer happy hours or lazy afternoons at the lake. Cheers to a wonderful summer!
• 4 cucumber slices (I like to use seedless cucumbers)
• 6-8 mint leaves
• 2 oz. gin
• 1 oz. simple syrup
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• Topo Chico
1. Muddle cucumber slices in the bottom of a cocktail shaker.
2. Add mint leaves, gin, simple syrup, and lime juice. Fill the shaker with ice and shake until your hands get cold.
3. Double strain the cocktail into a glass with ice. Top off with a splash of Topo Chico. Garnish with a slice of cucumber and mint sprig. Slap the mint sprig in your hand before using as garnish. It enhances the mint taste.
4. Use a fine mesh sieve to strain the cocktail into the glass. “Double strain” indicates that it strains once through the strainer placed on the opening of the shaker, then a second time through the sieve before entering the glass. This is crucial to prevent any cucumber or mint pieces from getting into the cocktail.
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By Nancy Roberts Coleman
Photos By Emily Brown
