Tom Collins Drink Recipe - Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts (2024)

Tom Collins co*cktail – this is a classic gin co*cktail that is tart, slightly sweet, and topped with club soda to make it fizzy and delicious. It is refreshing and perfect for sipping any time!

We all know that I love a good co*cktail, and I have been obsessed with trying out all the old classics lately. They are so simple to make; not a lot of extras involved, and so good. The last one I made was a French 75, which also involved gin, so apparently I am also on a gin kick!

Let’s start with some basics!

Why is it called a Tom Collins

It first appeared in the Bar-Tenders Guide by Jerry Thomas in 1876. He was famous for American mixology at that time. The Tom Collins drink was described as a sparkling lemonade, that was serve in a “Collins” glass over ice. It has evolved a little over the years to use simple syrup instead of a scoop of sugar, but the basic idea remains intact.

What’s in a Tom Collins

• Lemon Juice
• Gin
• Simple Syrup
• Club Soda
• Ice

What Does a Tom Collins Taste Like

With just a couple of ingredients, there isn’t a lot to distract from the flavor. This tastes like sparkling lemonade that has been spiked with gin. It really depends on what Gin you use, how floral the taste will be. You can use a dry gin to give it the classic clean flavor. Or use a new modern gin to give it more of a twist.

How to Make a Tom Collins

1. Fill a co*cktail shaker with ice and add the lemon juice, gin, and simple syrup. Shake until it is nice and cold.
2. Pour over a tall glass that is filled with ice.
3. Top with club soda at the very end so it stays fizzy.
4. You can garnish with a lemon and sometimes you will see it with a maraschino cherry as well.

You will sometimes see a Tom Collins drink mix at the store, but it is so simple to make and keep the ingredients on hand, you don’t need to buy a mix. It really is just 4 ingredients, one of which is gin, and that is not in the store bought mix. I like to use freshly squeezed lemon instead of the bottle of lemon juice, but if that is what you have it will definitely work.

What Can I Use Instead of Club Soda

The club soda is just there to make the drink fizzy and not really give it any taste. So if you have sparkling water or that will definitely work in its place. You could use something like sprite or ginger ale, but they are sweeter, so you would want to cut back on the simple syrup so it isn’t an overly sweet drink. You want it to be slightly sweet and tart, just like lemonade usually is.

Can I Use Something Other Than Gin

Yes, you definitely can. Whiskey in place of the Gin changes it to a John Collins. If you use Vodka instead, that is just called a Vodka Collins. There is a version called a Charlie Collins that uses Jamaican spiced rum. And if you are feeling crazy and use tequila that is called a Juan Collins. So yes, you can switch up the alcohol and people have even got creative and named them all!

So many possibilities, and such a simple gin co*cktail to make. Perfect for a Friday night or just to relax on a Wednesday. This is a light and fresh co*cktail that you really can enjoy anytime.

More Fun Drink Recipes to Try

• Beer Margarita
• Vodka Gimlet
• Amaretto Sour
• Sex on the Beach Drink
• Gin and Tonic
• White Sangria
• Long Island Iced Tea
• Vodka Soda

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