South Side
October 29, 2024
Recipe on liquor.com.
Al Capone’s drink of choice.
Named after the South Side of Chicago, which we all know is the baddest part of town. Capone’s gang dominated Chicago’s South Side, and apparently importing gin was a thing at the time. (The sources don’t make this clear, but I’m assuming it was illegal gin during Prohibition.) From Wikipedia: The gin imported by Capone’s rivals on the North Side of Chicago was smooth, and usually consumed with ginger ale. However, the gin consumed by Al Capone’s gang had a rougher finish, and required more sweeteners to make it palatable. Thus the South Side was born.
Kidding about Chicago. The only thing I know about the South Side is bad, bad, Leroy Brown. I’m sure it’s actually a nice place with nice people who don’t keep razors in their shoes.
But is this supposed to be a tough guy drink? Because it’s minty, and lemony, and sweet – and served in a delicate glass. It’s delicious, and I’m going to need that mint plant in my garden to hurry up and grow so I can have more of these in my future.
*This history of the drink is subject to speculation, but it’s a good story backed by some history.
(Originally posted May 5, 2020)
