Tom Collins recipe
A tall, fizzy gin lemonade that's been cooling people off since the 1870s.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Collins glass ·
Time: 2 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz London Dry Gin (Beefeater or Tanqueray)
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 0.75 oz Simple Syrup
- Top Club Soda
How to make a Tom Collins
- Fill a Collins glass with ice.
- Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
- Stir briefly to combine.
- Top with club soda — pour gently down the side of the glass.
- Give one gentle stir to integrate. Don't over-stir or you'll kill the fizz.
Garnish
Lemon wheel and a cherry.
Pro tip
The soda goes in last, always. And pour it slow. If you dump it in, you'll lose all the carbonation and end up with a flat drink. Also, fresh lemon juice is non-negotiable here — bottled stuff tastes like cleaning product.
History of the Tom Collins
Named after a practical joke that swept New York in 1874. People would tell friends that a man named Tom Collins was talking trash about them at a nearby bar. The victim would rush over looking for a fight, only to find no such person. Bartenders started making a drink called the Tom Collins to capitalize on the craze.
Flavour profile
Citrus, Refreshing, Botanical, Fizzy
Variations
- John Collins — Use bourbon instead of gin — the original version
- Vodka Collins — Swap gin for vodka if juniper isn't your thing
- French 75 — Replace soda with champagne for something fancier
Practise making the Tom Collins in the free Virtual Bar game.