This Tom Collins recipe is straightforward to make with gin, lemon juice, easy syrup, and membership soda. Served over ice, this basic cocktail is brilliant and refreshing.
It’s in all probability not shocking that I like a Tom Collins cocktail. This glowing gin drink is just one step faraway from selfmade lemonade, in spite of everything.
Made with gin, contemporary lemon juice, easy syrup, and membership soda, it’s brilliant, fizzy, and tremendous refreshing. Plus, as a result of it’s a protracted drink, which means that the alcohol is blended with an excellent quantity of soda water, it’s not as sturdy as another cocktails. This makes it good for sipping on a sizzling summer season day.
Should you’re new to creating cocktails at residence, I feel this Tom Collins recipe is a good place to begin. You don’t want any particular gear like a cocktail shaker or strainer, as a result of this drink is historically stirred, not shaken. Plus, after getting gin and easy syrup available, you’ll be nicely in your solution to making different gin cocktails too. Make this recipe first, after which add a gimlet or French 75 to your checklist to attempt subsequent!
Tom Collins Elements
A basic Tom Collins cocktail has 4 fundamental substances:
- Gin – In keeping with Difford’s Information, the Tom Collins cocktail probably originated in London within the 1800s, and it was first made with Outdated Tom gin (therefore the “Tom” a part of its title—the “Collins” half comes from the title of the person who popularized it, John Collins). Today, London Dry gin is the widespread alternative for this drink, however I feel you need to use any sort with a taste profile you like. My go-to manufacturers are Hendrick’s, St. George Botanivore, and Koval Dry Gin.
- Recent lemon juice – Freshly squeezed, please! Recent juice will give this cocktail the very best, brightest taste. Bonus: In case you have contemporary lemons available, you possibly can garnish your glass with a lemon slice.
- Easy syrup – For sweetness. No want to purchase this—selfmade easy syrup is straightforward to make with equal components sugar and water.
- Membership soda or glowing water – It provides fizz to the cocktail and dilutes it right into a lower-ABV, sip-able drink.
You’ll additionally want ice for serving, and—in case you like—a maraschino cherry (or Luxardo cherry) for garnish. Elective, however enjoyable!
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Make a Tom Collins Cocktail
I feel a Tom Collins is one in every of the best cocktails to make.
- Simply stir collectively the gin, lemon juice, and easy syrup in a collins glass, highball glass, or different tall glass.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- And high with glowing water!
Stir gently, then style and regulate earlier than you add your garnishes. If you need a tangier cocktail, squeeze in some further lemon juice. For a stronger, extra natural drink, add a little bit further gin. Need it sweeter? Pour in some extra easy syrup.
If you love the flavour, garnish with a lemon slice and/or cocktail cherry, and revel in!
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Extra Cocktail Recipes to Strive
Should you love this Tom Collins recipe, attempt one in every of these refreshing cocktails subsequent:

Tom Collins Recipe
Serves 1
Discover ways to make a Tom Collins cocktail! Made with gin, contemporary lemon juice, easy syrup, and membership soda, this basic drink is sort of a fizzy gin lemonade. It is historically served in a collins glass, however any tall glass will work right here. The dimensions of your glass will affect the quantity of glowing water you utilize, so ensure that to style and regulate earlier than serving.
Forestall your display from going darkish
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In a tall glass, stir collectively the gin, lemon juice, and easy syrup. Fill with ice, high with membership soda, and gently stir once more.
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Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry and serve.