The Eastside Cocktail is a refreshing gin-based drink that blends cool cucumber flavors, bright fresh lime juice and mint for a crisp, herbaceous sip. A splash of simple syrup rounds it out with just the right touch of sweetness.
Perfect for warm afternoons, rooftop gatherings or an easy happy hour at home, this drink is an elegant twist on a classic cocktail. It’s light, refreshing and just as easy to make as it is to enjoy.
For more refreshing cocktails, try our Purple Rain Cocktail and Watermelon Mojito.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Fresh Flavors: Cucumber, lime and mint create a clean, refreshing finish.
- Easy to Make: With just a few simple ingredients and a cocktail shaker, you’ll feel like a pro bartender.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, add club soda or swap with the spirit that suits your taste buds.
- Perfect Drink: Ideal for summer sipping, happy hour or impressing guests with a elegant gin cocktail.
Ingredients
This cocktail is made with just a handful of fresh ingredients that balance beautifully together.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Gin: Dry gin works best as the crisp, botanical base.
- Cucumber Slices: Add hints of cucumber flavor and a cooling effect.
- Fresh Mint Leaves: Provide subtle mint flavors that brighten the drink.
- Fresh Lime Juice: Brings zesty acidity and balances the sweetness.
To make this recipe you'll need a cocktail shaker, jigger, muddler and measuring spoon.
Variations
- Vodka Lover: Try replacing the gin with vodka for a smoother, less botanical drink.
- Extra Bubbly: Top with soda water or club soda for a longer, refreshing sip.
- Spicy Kick: Muddle in a thin slice of jalapeño for a little bit of heat.
How to Make an Eastside Cocktail
With just a few fresh ingredients and quick steps, this cocktail comes together effortlessly.
Add a few slices of cucumber and a few mint leaves into a cocktail shaker and muddle to release some juices and oils.
Fill halfway with ice and add gin, lime juice and simple syrup.
Shake until chilled and strain into a lowball or coupe glass full of ice.
If desired, add a splash Club soda and garnish with a cucumber slice and mint.
Hint: Press just hard enough to release the cucumber and mint oils, but not too aggressively or they can taste bitter.
Recipe Tips
- Shaken/Stirred: Shake in a cocktail shaker to quickly chill and infuse cucumber and mint into the gin.
- Glass: A chilled coupe glass gives this drink an elegant look, while a lowball glass works for a more casual vibe.
- Garnishes: Fresh cucumber slices or a sprig of mint make the presentation pop.
- Double Strain: Use a Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer to keep bits of mint out of the glass if preferred.
If you enjoy cocktails with the fresh and tart flavor of limes, try our Margarita.
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Serving Suggestions
- Seafood: Shrimp ceviche, grilled salmon or seared scallops.
- Vegetable Sides: Caprese skewers, spinach salad or roasted asparagus.
- Small Bites: Crostini, Guacamole with Chips or Mini Cheese Balls.
Eastside Cocktail Recipe FAQs
Yes! Muddle cucumber and mint in a glass, then stir the ingredients with ice until chilled. It may not be quite as smooth, but it works.
Dry gin is the most common choice, but Hendrick’s gin is excellent too since it already has cucumber notes.
Not fully, but you can slice cucumber and mint and juice your limes in advance. Shake everything together when you’re ready to serve for the freshest flavor.
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Eastside Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail Shaker
- Jigger
- Muddler
- Measuring Spoon
Ingredients
- cucumber slices
- mint sprigs
- 2- ounce gin
- 1- ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- ½-1 teaspoon simple syrup
- Club Soda optional
Instructions
- Add a few slices of cucumber and a few mint leaves into a cocktail shaker and muddle to release some juices and oils.
- Fill halfway with ice and add gin, lime juice and simple syrup.
- Shake until chilled and strain into a lowball or coupe glass full of ice.
- If desired, add a splash Club soda and garnish with a cucumber slice and mint.
Notes
- Press just hard enough to release the cucumber and mint oils, but not too aggressively or they can taste bitter.
- Shake in a cocktail shaker to quickly chill and infuse cucumber and mint into the gin.
- A chilled coupe glass gives this drink an elegant look, while a lowball glass works for a more casual vibe.
- Fresh cucumber slices or a sprig of mint makes the presentation pop.
- Use a Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer to keep bits of mint out of the glass if preferred.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any alterations, let us know how they turned out.
Courtney says
This was so refreshing! Love the mint and cucumber together with the fresh lime juice.
Eva Filer says
It really is. I find it perfect all year long too. So happy you enjoyed it - thanks for the review.
Eva Filer says
Mint blended with the botanical flavors of gin is a great pairing; add in the freshness of cucumber it is the perfect combination.