The Eastside is an incredibly fresh, vibrant cocktail falling under the ever-versatile sour umbrella. Owing much to its predominant flavours being constant crowd-pleasers, the Eastside is almost always good.
The key to elevating yours is threefold. The first is simple, and isn't exactly anything ground-breaking - fresh, high-quality ingredients. Lime, cucumber and mint should be squeezed, muddled and pressed from fresh.
The next integral element is finding a balance between those ingredients. While mint and cucumber are a match made in heaven, you don't want one to be overarching. (If you do, maybe try our Southside)
HITTHiSBAR: Southside
Finally, use the best gin you can. While this drink is far from spirit-forward, and any very-affordable London Dry will make for a mean Eastside, using a more premium gin with a botanical profile which compliments the fresh ingredients in this (or any) cocktail will not go unnoticed.
60ml - Gin of your choice
22.5ml - Lime Juice
22.5ml - Simple Syrup
3-4 chunks of fresh cucumber
5-6 mint leaves
In a shaker, muddle the cucumber, mint, simple syrup and lime juice. Add the gin, fill the tin with ice, and shake vigorously for 10 seconds.
Double strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
Garnish with a cucumber slice and a sprig of mint.
HITTHiSBAR: Pineapple Pisco Port
