The Southside Cocktail: Your Go-To Drink for Patio Season

This past weekend, New York gave us a preview of the warmer days ahead—80 degrees, rooftop weather, and the unmistakable energy of a city waking up for spring. Suddenly, everything feels like a reason to be outside: long walks, long lunches, and, of course, patio drinks and park picnics.

And if you’re looking for a cocktail to match that sunshine mood, the Southside might just be your new favorite.

Crisp, citrusy, and layered with refreshing mint, the Southside (and its fizzy sibling, the Southside Fizz) is a total vibe—easy to sip, easy to serve, and easy to love. Whether you’re hosting friends or just shaking something up for yourself after a long day, it checks all the boxes.

🥂 A Brief Backstory: The 21 Club’s Signature Sip

There are a few different stories about the Southside’s origin, but one of the most well-documented brings us to an iconic New York institution: The 21 Club.

Tucked behind an unmarked door on West 52nd Street, the 21 Club was more than a Manhattan dining destination—it was a secretive, members-only haunt known for attracting celebrities, politicians, and tastemakers alike. And behind the bar? The Southside. Light, cooling, and refreshing, it became the club’s unofficial house cocktail.

Why this drink? Some say it was created to soften the edge of the gin at the time, which wasn’t always, shall we say, smooth. But whatever the reason, the blend of gin, citrus, mint, and sugar caught on quickly—and became a go-to for stylish New Yorkers well beyond the walls of 21.

Today, the Southside is more than a piece of cocktail history—it’s a timeless warm-weather staple that feels just as perfect at a picnic as it did at a white-tablecloth dinner.

🌿 The Southside: Cool, Crisp, and Stupidly Easy to Make

The classic Southside is what we like to call a one-shake wonder: a short, shaken drink that delivers bright flavor with just a few ingredients. Think of it like a cooler cousin to the gimlet or a more grown-up version of a mojito—minus the fuss.

🍸 Classic Southside Recipe

• 2 oz gin
  

• ¾ oz Cheeky Simple Syrup
  

• ¾ oz Cheeky Lime Juice

• 6–8 mint leaves
  

How to make it:

1. Lightly muddle the mint in your shaker—just enough to release aroma without bruising the leaves.
   

2. Add gin, Cheeky Simple Syrup, and Cheeky Lime Juice.
   

3. Shake hard with ice for 10–15 seconds.
   

4. Double strain into a coupe or Nick & Nora glass.
   

5. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.
   

It’s sharp. It’s balanced. And it’s the kind of drink that makes you feel like you’re on a rooftop in Midtown, even if you’re just on your fire escape.

✨ The Southside Fizz: Same Energy, More Bubbles

Looking for something a little lighter or more sessionable? Meet the Southside Fizz, the longer, taller, and bubblier take on the original.

This version keeps the mint and citrus but adds club soda for an effervescent lift—making it perfect for brunches, park hangs, or anything that calls for a low-effort, high-refreshment drink.

🫧 Southside Fizz Recipe

• 2 oz gin
  

• ¾ oz Cheeky Simple Syrup
  

• ¾ oz Cheeky Lemon Juice (or Lime, depending on your vibe)
  

• 6–8 mint leaves
  

• Club soda to top
  

How to make it:

1. Lightly muddle mint in your shaker.
   

2. Add gin, Cheeky Simple Syrup, and Cheeky Lemon.
   

3. Shake with ice and strain into a tall glass over fresh ice.
   

4. Top with soda water and garnish with mint or a lemon wheel.
   

It’s fresh, fizzy, and so good you’ll probably make a second round. Maybe a third.

🍋 What You’ll Need from Cheeky

Here’s the beauty of the Southside: it doesn’t take much to make it great. But when you’re using real ingredients with real balance, it hits different.

Skip the squeezing and get your bar stocked with these Cheeky essentials:

• Cheeky Lime Juice – For that zippy, citrusy edge in the classic version
  

• Cheeky Lemon Juice – Slightly softer and ideal for the Fizz
  

• Cheeky Simple Syrup – Smooth, clean sweetness that ties everything together
  

They’re perfectly portioned, shelf-stable, and ready to pour—so your only job is shaking (or sipping).

🎯 Why the Southside Belongs in Your Spring Rotation

• ✅ It’s refreshing without being overly sweet

• ✅ It’s flexible—up in a coupe or tall over ice
  

• ✅ It plays well with others—try it with vodka, tequila, or even zero-proof spirits
  

• ✅ It’s low-lift, high-reward—easy enough for a Tuesday, impressive enough for a dinner party
  

Plus, it's just so drinkable. If you’re tired of basic spritzes and ready to branch out, the Southside is your gateway to a slightly more elevated, but still totally accessible, cocktail game.

🛒 Ready to Shake It Up?

Cheeky makes it easy to mix bar-worthy drinks at home without the guesswork. And with warm weather already here, there’s never been a better time to restock your bar kit.

Your Southside Starter Pack:

• ✅ Cheeky Simple Syrup
  

• ✅ Cheeky Lime Juice

• ✅ Cheeky Lemon Juice
  

📦 Shop them all here, and get them delivered to your door—just in time for your next patio hang.

📸 Show Us Your Southsides!

We want to see your spring cocktail creations. Tag @cheekycocktails on Instagram or TikTok and show us how you’re sipping outside—we might even repost your recipe!

Whether you’re mixing for one or hosting many, the Southside is one of those drinks that feels fancy without being fussy. And with Cheeky behind your bar, it’s practically foolproof.

Here’s to rooftop season, mint in your glass, and a little Cheeky in every pour. 🍸