Tom Collins
The Tom Collins dates to the 1870s and is named after a famous practical joke called the Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874. This tall, effervescent drink is essentially a gin sour lengthened with soda water. Its light, refreshing character makes it an ideal warm-weather sipper and a perfect introduction to gin cocktails.
The Tom Collins stands as one of the most beloved and enduring cocktails in the pantheon of classic drinks. Born from a Victorian-era practical joke, this effervescent gin cocktail has been refreshing drinkers for over 150 years. What makes the Tom Collins truly special is its perfect balance of tart lemon, botanical gin, and sparkling soda water – creating a drink that's both sophisticated and supremely refreshing. It's the cocktail equivalent of a summer breeze: light, invigorating, and utterly satisfying. Whether you're new to gin cocktails or a seasoned enthusiast, the Tom Collins offers an accessible entry point into the world of classic mixology while delivering complexity that keeps you coming back for more.
📝 Ingredients
- 0.5 oz Simple Syrup🛒 Amazon
- 1 piece Lemon Twist(optional)🛒 Amazon
- 1 piece Maraschino Cherry(optional)🛒 Amazon
Garnish: Lemon wheel and cherry
👨🍳 Instructions
Combine the gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
Shake for 10-12 seconds until chilled.
Strain into a highball (Collins) glass filled with fresh ice.
Top with club soda and stir gently once or twice to integrate.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry. Serve with a straw.
Flavor Profile
Tools Needed
Jigger
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Cocktail Shaker (Boston)
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OXO SteeL Cocktail Strainer (Hawthorne)
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Mixing Glass
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Bar Spoon
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Citrus Juicer
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Cocktail Pick Set
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Highball Glass Set
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- 1
Use London Dry Gin for the most traditional flavor profile – brands like Tanqueray, Beefeater, or Bombay Sapphire provide the perfect juniper backbone that pairs beautifully with fresh lemon juice.
- 2
Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice, never bottled. The bright acidity is crucial to the cocktail's balance, and fresh juice provides the clean, zesty flavor that makes this drink shine.
- 3
Shake vigorously with ice before adding the soda water to ensure proper dilution and chilling. Add the club soda last and stir gently to maintain maximum carbonation and effervescence.
- 4
Fill your Collins glass completely with fresh ice before straining – this prevents over-dilution while keeping the drink properly chilled throughout the entire drinking experience.
- 5
For a premium touch, use a high-quality maraschino cherry like Luxardo instead of the typical bright red cocktail cherry, and express the oils from the lemon twist over the drink before dropping it in.
📜 History & Origin
The Tom Collins has one of the most fascinating origin stories in cocktail history, rooted in the Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874. This elaborate practical joke involved telling someone that a man named Tom Collins was at a nearby bar spreading malicious gossip about them. The victim would rush to the establishment, only to be told by the bartender that no such person was there – but they could certainly make them a Tom Collins cocktail. The drink itself predates the hoax, appearing in Jerry Thomas's 1876 'The Bartender's Guide' as part of the Collins family of cocktails, which includes John Collins (made with whiskey) and other variations. The cocktail evolved from the gin punch tradition of the 18th century, becoming streamlined into the refreshing highball we know today. During Prohibition, the Tom Collins remained popular as a way to mask the harsh flavors of bootleg gin. Its enduring appeal lies in its simplicity and refreshing character, making it a staple at country clubs, summer parties, and sophisticated bars alike throughout the 20th and 21st centuries.
