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)

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