The Shiso Southside: A Complete History & Classic Recipe

Herbaceous, bright, and refreshingly aromatic, the Shiso Southside reinvents a Prohibition-era classic through the lens of Japanese culinary tradition. It’s a cocktail that bridges continents—melding American speakeasy history with East Asian botanicals to create a crisp, modern sour that feels both timeless and new.

I. Origins

1. The Southside: A Prohibition Classic

The Shiso Southside begins with the Southside, a cocktail with roots in early 20th-century America. The original Southside (or South Side) is a mixture of:

• Gin

• Mint

• Lemon or lime

• Sugar

• Soda or no soda depending on variation

It’s historically linked to:

• Speakeasies on Chicago’s South Side

• The Southside Sportsmen’s Club on Long Island

• Early gin-and-mint “cooler” drinks

A refreshing mix of citrus, mint, and botanicals, the Southside was beloved for masking rough Prohibition-era gin.

2. Shiso: A Japanese Culinary Staple

Shiso (Perilla frutescens var. crispa) is a Japanese herb used for centuries in:

• Sushi and sashimi garnishes

• Pickling (umeboshi)

• Herbal remedies

• Summer cooling drinks

• Aromatic salads and tempura

Its flavor sits between:

• Mint

• Basil

• Anise

• Cinnamon

• Citrus zest

This complexity makes shiso a natural cocktail ingredient.

3. Fusion Through Modern Mixology

The Shiso Southside emerged during the 2010s as culinary-driven bar programs embraced:

• Japanese ingredients

• Foraged herbs

• Botanical spirits

• Minimalist, clean cocktail architecture

Tokyo cocktail culture and Japanese gin innovation helped push shiso into the global mixology scene.

II. Historical Evolution

1. The Southside Goes Global

As gin cocktails evolved, bartenders reinterpreted classics using:

• Thai basil

• Cilantro

• Lemon balm

• Mint hybrids

• Shiso

These herbal twists kept the core structure while modernizing the flavor.

2. Japanese Ingredients in Western Bars

The rise of Japanese cuisine and cocktail technique—clean lines, precision, and respect for ingredients—led to:

• Yuzu in sours

• Matcha in highballs

• Shiso in smashes and mojitos

Shiso became especially popular for its:

• Vibrant aroma

• Photogenic leaves

• Ability to balance citrus

3. Gin Enters a Botanical Renaissance

Global gin producers introduced botanicals such as:

• Yuzu peels

• Sansho pepper

• Shiso

• Bamboo leaves

• Japanese cedar

This botanical movement created a natural playground for the Shiso Southside.

III. Ingredients & Technique

The Shiso Southside honors the original structure but substitutes mint with fresh shiso, giving the drink a uniquely herbal, almost perfumed character.

1. Spirit Base

Gin is essential. Ideal styles:

• Japanese gin (Roku, Ki No Bi)

• Citrus-forward gin

• Light London Dry

These enhance the herb’s delicate notes.

2. Shiso

Use fresh green shiso, which is:

• Bright

• Citrusy

• Herbal

Red shiso is earthier and better for syrups or infusions.

3. Citrus

Lime traditionally fits the Southside, but lemon adds elegance. Both work; lime is punchier, lemon is silkier.

4. Sweetener

Simple syrup keeps the structure clean. For depth:

• Honey syrup

• Yuzu syrup

• Light shiso syrup

5. Technique

Shiso’s essential oils bruise easily. Proper technique:

• Light muddle (never mash aggressively)

• Double strain to avoid leaf bits

• Cold shake for crispness

6. Optional Enhancements

• Yuzu bitters

• Cucumber slices

• A splash of soda for a Southside Fizz

• A tiny pinch of salt to enhance herbal notes

IV. Cultural Significance

1. A Bridge Between East and West

The Shiso Southside embodies cross-cultural mixology:

• American cocktail tradition

• Japanese culinary heritage

• Botanical modernism

It fits seamlessly into both Tokyo-style minimalism and contemporary Western cocktail bars.

2. Seasonal and Sensory Appeal

Shiso is often associated with:

• Summer cooling

• Fresh herbal aromatics

• Light, clean flavors

This makes the drink ideal for warm-weather menus, brunches, garden parties, and sushi pairings.

3. A Marker of Modern Mixology

Herb-driven cocktails highlight:

• Craft technique

• Ingredient precision

• Aromatic balance

The Shiso Southside sits comfortably among modern classics like the Basil Smash and Elderflower Collins.

V. How to Make the Classic Version Today

Recipe — The Classic Shiso Southside

Ingredients

• 2 oz (60 ml) gin (Japanese gin preferred)

• 1 oz (30 ml) fresh lime or lemon juice

• 0.75 oz (22 ml) simple syrup

• 5–6 fresh green shiso leaves

• Optional: 1 dash yuzu bitters

• Optional: Soda water (for a Shiso Southside Fizz)

Method

1. Add shiso leaves and simple syrup to a shaker.

2. Lightly muddle (gentle press, no shredding).

3. Add gin, citrus, and bitters (if using).

4. Shake with ice until cold.

5. Double strain into a chilled coupe or into a highball over ice (if adding soda).

6. Garnish with a fresh shiso leaf or thin lime wheel.

Specs

• Glass: Coupe (classic) or highball (fizz style)

• Ice: None for up version; cubes for highball

• Garnish: Whole shiso leaf

• Style: Modern herbaceous sour

Technique Notes

• Avoid over-muddling—shiso can become bitter.

• Use cold ingredients to preserve delicate aromatics.

• Japanese gin amplifies the flavor beautifully.

• For a lighter drink, add 1–2 oz soda water.

Variations & Lineage

• Shiso Gin Fizz — tall, bubbly, refreshing

• Shiso Daiquiri — rum + shiso + lime

• Shiso Margarita — tequila + lime + shiso

• Yuzu Shiso Sour — adds yuzu juice and bitters

• Cucumber Shiso Southside — spa-like freshness

Service & Pairing Tips

• Perfect with sushi, sashimi, light noodles, coastal seafood

• Ideal for spring/summer menus

• Pairs well with citrus desserts, mochi, or matcha treats

• Beautiful as a signature drink at modern weddings

VI. Modern Variations & Legacy

1. Part of the Botanical Cocktail Movement

Alongside the Elderflower Sour, Jasmine Sour, and Basil Smash, the Shiso Southside is a key example of botanical-forward modern cocktails.

2. A Global Favorite

Now popular in:

• Tokyo gin bars

• Brooklyn natural-wine bars

• Los Angeles fusion restaurants

• Scandinavian botanical menus

Its versatility ensures staying power.

3. Future Innovations

Expect experimentation with:

• Shiso tinctures

• Shiso oils

• Clarified shiso sours

• Fermented shiso cordials

• Shiso-rum pairings

The drink is still evolving—and that’s part of its charm.