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Yuzu Southside Recipe

Yuzu Southside Recipe

By What’s Baking

A vibrant citrus twist on the classic Southside, where bright yuzu citrus elevates gin, mint, and sugar into a perfectly balanced, refreshingly complex sip.
Difficulty:
Intermediate
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
An elegant Nick & Nora glass holds this luminescent pale yellow-green cocktail, captured in natural daylight that accentuates its clarity and subtle effervescence. Crisp, delicate mint leaves float on the surface, with tiny beads of condensation forming on the outside of the glass. A closeup reveals the paper-thin yuzu slice garnish balanced on the rim, its unique citrus oil catching the light. The background features blurred copper bar tools and fresh mint sprigs, while the cocktail itself has fine ice shards suspended throughout - evidence of the vigorous shaking technique that created its silky texture.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml London dry gin</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">20ml yuzu juice (or 15ml lemon juice mixed with 5ml lime juice)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml simple syrup</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">6-8 fresh mint leaves, plus extra sprig for garnish</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">Thin yuzu slice or lemon twist for garnish</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml chilled soda water (optional)</li> </ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Cocktail shaker</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Hawthorne strainer</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Fine mesh strainer</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Nick & Nora glass or chilled coupe</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Muddler</li> </ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Chill your Nick & Nora glass or coupe by filling with ice water and setting aside while you prepare the cocktail. A properly chilled glass prevents premature warming and maintains the cocktail's crisp character. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> Place mint leaves in the bottom of your cocktail shaker and gently muddle just enough to release the oils - about 4-5 light presses. Be careful not to over-muddle as this can release bitter compounds and turn the mint leaves to mush. You should smell the mint's aromatic oils being released. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Add the gin, yuzu juice, and simple syrup to your shaker. Fill 2/3 with fresh, cold ice cubes - ideally larger ones that won't dilute as quickly. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> Seal your shaker and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds. The shaker should become frosty on the outside - this tells you you've achieved proper dilution and temperature. The shaking action not only chills and dilutes but also properly incorporates the mint oils throughout the drink. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Empty the ice water from your glass. Double-strain the cocktail through both a Hawthorne strainer and fine mesh strainer into your chilled glass. This double-straining technique removes tiny ice shards and mint fragments, resulting in a silky-smooth texture. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> If using soda water for a lighter, more effervescent version, gently pour it over the back of a bar spoon into the glass to preserve carbonation. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Garnish with a fresh mint sprig (slap it gently between your palms first to release aroma) and a thin yuzu slice or lemon twist. The garnish should rest partly in the cocktail to continually release aromatic oils. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4> Serve immediately while the drink is perfectly chilled and the aromas are at their peak. The finished cocktail should be a pale yellow-green color with brilliant clarity and a delicate balance between the gin's botanicals, yuzu's complex citrus notes, and mint's cooling freshness. </li> </ol>

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

What can I substitute for yuzu juice if I can't find it?

If yuzu juice isn't available, combine 15ml fresh lemon juice with 5ml lime juice for a similar citrus profile. While not identical to yuzu's complex flavour, this substitute captures the bright acidity and slight floral notes needed for a quality Southside variation.

Which gin works best for a Southside cocktail with citrus?

A crisp, juniper-forward London Dry gin creates the ideal foundation for a Southside. Brands like Tanqueray, Beefeater or Sipsmith work brilliantly as they stand up to the bright citrus and fresh mint without overpowering the delicate yuzu character.

Why is double-straining important when making mint cocktails?

Double-straining (using both a Hawthorne and fine mesh strainer) removes tiny mint fragments and ice shards, resulting in a silky-smooth texture. This technique prevents bits of mint from floating in your cocktail or getting caught in your teeth while drinking.

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