The Tom Collins is perhaps the most iconic member of the Collins family of cocktails. Essentially a gin sour lengthened with soda water, it’s a refreshing, bubbly beverage perfect for sipping on a hot day. The drink is believed to have originated in the early 19th century, inspired by gin punches, and it has been a staple in cocktail culture ever since. Though its true origins are debated, some attribute its popularization to John Collins, a bartender at Limmer's Hotel in London. The drink later evolved, with Old Tom gin being used, which likely led to the modern name: Tom Collins.
Preparation: 3 minutes
Skill level: Beginner
Serving: For 1 person
Preparation: 3 minutes
Skill level: Beginner
Serving: For 1 person
2 oz (60 ml) London Dry Gin
1 oz (30 ml) Fresh Lemon Juice
1/2 oz (15 ml) Simple Syrup
Club Soda, to top
Lemon wheel, Maraschino cherry
Collins Glass
Shaking
Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker filled with ice.
Shake vigorously for about 10 seconds to chill the ingredients.
Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
Top with club soda to add the sparkling touch.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry for a classic look.
Serve and enjoy the refreshing, effervescent flavors of a Tom Collins.
The Tom Collins is one of the most recognizable cocktails, a refreshing blend of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda that originated in the early 19th century. Though its creation is sometimes attributed to John Collins of Limmer's Hotel, the cocktail took its current form with the use of Old Tom gin, a slightly sweeter style of gin, giving the drink its name.
What makes the Tom Collins work is its balance of sweet and sour, with the bubbly soda water providing a light, effervescent texture. The botanicals of the London Dry gin complement the citrus notes of the lemon juice, making this a bright, refreshing cocktail perfect for sipping over long periods. This template also helped popularize the idea of "long drinks," lighter in alcohol but full of refreshing flavors.
Variations and Modern Twists
The Tom Collins has inspired several variations over the years, and bartenders often experiment with different ingredients:
In modern mixology, bartenders may also experiment with different types of citrus (such as lime or grapefruit) or flavored syrups to add depth to this classic drink.
The Tom Collins is one of the most recognizable cocktails, a refreshing blend of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda that originated in the early 19th century. Though its creation is sometimes attributed to John Collins of Limmer's Hotel, the cocktail took its current form with the use of Old Tom gin, a slightly sweeter style of gin, giving the drink its name.
What makes the Tom Collins work is its balance of sweet and sour, with the bubbly soda water providing a light, effervescent texture. The botanicals of the London Dry gin complement the citrus notes of the lemon juice, making this a bright, refreshing cocktail perfect for sipping over long periods. This template also helped popularize the idea of "long drinks," lighter in alcohol but full of refreshing flavors.
Variations and Modern Twists
The Tom Collins has inspired several variations over the years, and bartenders often experiment with different ingredients:
In modern mixology, bartenders may also experiment with different types of citrus (such as lime or grapefruit) or flavored syrups to add depth to this classic drink.
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