Ina Garten Dark Rum Southsides

Ina Garten dark rum southsides are a refreshing rum cocktail made with muddled mint, fresh lime juice and sparkling water, ready in 15 minutes. This simple summer cocktail recipe fits backyard cookouts, Fourth of July parties, easy date night drinks and relaxed weekend get-togethers at home.

Muddle the mint with the lime wedges before anything else goes in, because that releases the oils and juice the whole drink is built on. Skip it and you get a plain rum and lime mix with no mint flavor at all.

Ina Garten learned about southsides from her friend Barbara Liberman, who makes them with either vodka or rum, and she chose dark rum for its slightly sweeter flavor against the tart lime. She and Jeffrey make them all summer, and the recipe comes from Cooking for Jeffrey (2016).

Source: Cooking for Jeffrey (2016)

Ina Garten Dark Rum Southsides

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

5

minutes

Calories

190

kcal

Muddled mint and lime meet dark rum, homemade simple syrup and a splash of sparkling water in this crisp, cold pitcher-style cocktail. A pinch of salt rounds out the tartness, and everything is poured over ice with a fresh mint sprig.

Ingredients

• 12 large mint leaves plus 4 large sprigs
  

• 1 lime, cut into 8 wedges
  

• 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (4 limes)
  

• 1/2 cup simple syrup (see note)
  

• 1 cup dark rum, such as Mount Gay
  

• 1 cup ice, plus extra for serving
  

• 1 1/2 cups sparkling water, such as San Pellegrino, chilled
  

• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  

Directions

• Muddle the mint: Put 12 large mint leaves and 2 of the lime wedges in a large cocktail shaker and muddle them with a muddler or a long-handled wooden spoon. That crushes the leaves and presses out the lime juice.
• Mix the base: Add 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice, 1/2 cup simple syrup, 1 cup dark rum and 1 cup ice to the shaker. Stir 40 times with a long-handled swiveling cocktail spoon or the wooden spoon so everything chills well.
• Add the bubbles: Pour in 1 1/2 cups chilled sparkling water and 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt. Then stir well so the salt dissolves and the drink stays fizzy.
• Fill the glasses: Fill 4 low cocktail glasses half full with ice, then add a mint sprig and a lime wedge to each one. That way every glass looks as good as it tastes.
• Pour and serve: Pour the cocktail mixture over the ice in each glass. Stir once and serve ice cold while the mint is still bright.

Tools for this recipe

• OXO Steel cocktail shaker, Zulay metal lemon squeezer, OXO steel double jigger, Diamond Crystal kosher salt, 3 lb. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I make southsides with vodka instead of rum?

Yes, since Ina Garten notes that southsides can be made with either vodka or rum. Vodka gives a cleaner, drier drink, while dark rum adds a slightly sweeter flavor that works nicely with the tart lime.

How do I make the simple syrup?

Combine equal parts sugar and water, using 1 cup of sugar to 1/2 cup of water, in a small saucepan. Bring it to a boil until the sugar dissolves, then cool it completely so it doesn't melt the ice too fast.

Can I make these ahead of time?

You can muddle and mix the mint, lime juice, syrup and rum a few hours ahead and keep it in the fridge. Add the ice, sparkling water and salt right before serving, because the bubbles go flat quickly.

What if I don't have a cocktail shaker or muddler?

A large pitcher and the back of a long wooden spoon work fine for muddling and stirring. Just press the mint and lime firmly against the bottom of the pitcher so they release their flavor.

What's the most common mistake with this cocktail?

Skipping or rushing the muddling is the biggest one, since the mint and lime need to be crushed to flavor the drink. Using bottled lime juice is the next, because fresh juice tastes brighter and less bitter.