Northside/southside Recipe

Combine strawberries, sugar, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat.

Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Reduce heat and simmer 6–8 minutes, until strawberries are very soft and the liquid is fragrant and slightly syrupy.

Remove from heat, stir in freshly ground black pepper and optional lemon juice. Let steep 10–15 minutes to infuse pepper flavor.

Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof container, pressing on solids to extract syrup. Discard solids (or reserve for another use).

Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate. Syrup will keep in the fridge up to 10 days.

Prepare glass

If serving Northside (no soda), chill a coupe or martini glass. If serving Southside (with soda), use a highball or Collins glass with fresh ice.

Muddle mint

In a cocktail shaker, place the fresh mint leaves and the strawberry-black pepper syrup. Gently muddle 4–6 times — just enough to release mint oils but not so much that mint becomes bitter.

Build and shake

Add Brokers Gin, fresh lime juice, and a handful of ice to the shaker. Dry shake (no ice) 5–8 seconds if you want extra integration, then add ice and shake vigorously 10–12 seconds until well chilled.

Double strain and serve (Northside)

For a Northside: double strain into the chilled coupe using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch mint bits and ice chips. Garnish with a mint sprig and a strawberry slice or lime wheel.

Build and top (Southside)

For a Southside: fill a highball/Collins glass with fresh ice, double strain the shaken cocktail into the glass, then top with 1.5 oz club soda. Gently stir once to integrate. Garnish with a mint sprig and strawberry slice or lime wheel.

Taste and adjust: if the drink is too tart, add 0.25 oz more syrup; if too sweet, add 0.25 oz more lime juice. Serve immediately.