July 19, 2009

Southsides

My brother chided me for consoling myself with mojitos when my internet was down, instead of throwing back a few Southsides. I should have been guzzling Southsides, because these summer cocktails combine three of my favourite things: mint, lemon and Mt. Gay Rum. 7-18 032 The story of how Southsides were invented has been lost in the mists of history, but the Wall Street Journal gives credence to their origination at the Southside Sportsman’s Club on Long Island in the 1880’s.  There’s some discussion about whether to mix this with gin or rum, but with the mix our family prefers, Mr. Lee’s, Mt. Gay Rum is the drink of choice.

My  mother and I went to Virginia to celebrate some birthdays with my brother, and he had several bottles of Mr. George Lee’s special Southside mix hand-delivered to my mother by Mr. Lee himself, still mixing up batches at the age of 88 or so. mixmaster Mr. Lee was the long-time bartender at the Greenspring Valley Hunt Club and in his retirement, he goes through more than 100 pounds of mint a week to create his own special blend of Southsides, which he recommends mixing with Mt. Gay Rum.

On a hot summer day, regardless of where you are, there’s nothing that quenches your thirst like a cold Southside. 7-18 033 The only recipes I could find on the internet called for gin, but if you Google Southsides, you’ll be able to find a recipe that suits you. Here’s a story NPR did on Southsides a few summers ago and the reporter gives you a recipe.

26 comments:

  1. Mr. B is a huge Mt. Gay fan - I'll surprise him with a new cocktail recipe. Thanks.

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  2. WC... there are a couple of places you can order it, including Lindsay's. They do mail order. Just click here.

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  3. Mrs. B... I've been a Mt. Gay, tonic and lime drinker since college. They used to sponsor our college sailing team (!!!!).

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  4. Sounds like a great summer drink! One should give it a try!
    L

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  5. How I missed this? Just proves you could out do the Cheetos and Old bay wizardry! You are full of good tricks. :) Be well!

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  6. Great post. I was first introduced 15 years ago to Southsides after a Golf Outing at Greenspring Valley, a truly magical club and part of the world. I then became obsessed with finding a suitable recipe. Some of my tricks are to use lemon and lime (if you use lime only, it is really a mojito, and too much lemon is more of a lemonade in my humble opinion). Also, I believe at Greenspring, there is some chopped mint in the mix, which I like, but some people do not. I would guess that Mr. Lee removes such to keep it from spoiling.

    Glad you found the Long Island Southside club reference also. I think the NPR report is incorrect.

    Now I need to search your blog for this cheetos and old bay referenced above. 40 years living in Maryland and that is a new one!

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  7. Anon@9:00... The mix has lemon juice, chopped mint leaves and a secret ingredient in it. We added the mint sprigs from the garden.

    Mr. Lee says that the mix can be kept in the fridge for four weeks, but I am going to freeze some of it in ice cube trays to use later on.

    I thought the NPR story was a little inaccurate, too. I thought the Wall Street Journal's was more likely.

    The 'recipe' for cheetos and OB is on my food blog.

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  8. I love Southsides!!! Perhaps a little too much ;)

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  9. I haven't had a Southside, but am heading down to Kiawah and putting this on the list...

    How do I come by one of these bottles of Mr. Lee's mix?

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  10. Dickie... Mr. Lee hand-delivers in the Baltimore area. Otherwise, order through Lindsay's. The link is in the comments above!

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  11. Sounds yummy especially since it looks like more humid weather is heading our way this week!

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  12. Meg -- terrific post, and off topic, I love your latest blog banner!

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  13. Meg, This sounds soooo good! I need a new summer drink! I'll have to try it! Thanks! j.

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  14. oh, and I forgot to say how very cool that Mr. Lee delivered them himself! Love it!

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  15. As a fan of mojitos (only with dark rum even though I've totally butchered the recipe) I MUST try this. I'll look for the secret mix to order through the site you've posted. Thanks Meg!!!!

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  16. Sounds like a very spirited sailing team! Alas I have given up spirits for red wine. My HDL is 98. As I say, my liver my go, but my heart will be good to go to someone else! So glad your luck has turned and is now well minted and and refreshed.

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  17. They really are delicious - and I haven't had a single one this year!

    I prefer gin in Southsides, though I'm a huge fan of Mt. Gay rum. Love that they sponsored your team. It's definitely the official booze of the sailboat...

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  18. mmmmm, perfect for our next family get together. The grown ups like to imbibe!

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  19. We do have great punch for the children as well Non alc of course.

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  20. Karena... my brother mixes it half and half with club soda for the children.

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  21. These sound perfect for a book club I am having next month....oh who am I kidding....I will probably be trying this out way before then!

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  22. Meg -- I despair of finding a decent recipe for these -- the ones from Google are all over the places on ingredients and methodology. Any suggestions? Do you suppose Mr. Lee's secret ingredient is orange bitters? I had planned to use these lovely drinks to make this weekend's family reunion just a little more bearable.

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  23. Mama... here's one that I've used when I made my own Southsides from scratch. I was in Wales and Mr. Lee couldn't deliver!

    2 to 3 ounces rum
    2 tablespoons lemon juice
    1 oz of simple syrup
    2 sprigs fresh mint (use the leaves from one in the mix and use the other for garnish)
    3 or 4 ice cubes
    Club soda

    Add lemon juice, simple syrup and mint to blender. The mint leaves will be blended up and leave little specks at top of drink.

    Since this recipe is for one drink, it works better if you do a batch at a time.

    I am a total lightweight, but I do 1/3 of each: rum, mixer and soda water over ice and garnish with a sprig of mint. The mix should look kind of yellowy-green with bits of mint in it.

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  24. yum! we're having a beach going away party on saturday, I should stir up a batch and bring them with!

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  25. Hmmm, as rum and I are not on the best of terms, I may have to resort to gin. Or lock the doors, throw a few pillows on the floor and give a Southside a go.

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