Tom Collins
The Tom Collins is essentially a sparkling gin lemonade for adults. It's a tall, supremely refreshing, and effortlessly elegant highball cocktail that has been a staple of bars for over a century for good reason.
Ingredients
- 2 oz London Dry Gin
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- ½ oz Simple Syrup (1:1)
- 4 oz Club Soda, chilled
- Garnish: Lemon Wheel & Cherry
Instructions
- Combine and Shake: Add the gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake Well: Shake for about 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
- Strain into Glass: Fill a Collins glass (a tall, slender glass) to the top with fresh ice cubes.
- Top with Soda: Strain the mixture from the shaker into the glass. Top the drink with chilled club soda.
- Garnish: Give the drink a gentle stir and garnish with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry.
Pro Tips for Perfection
The Gin Matters: The original Tom Collins was made with Old Tom Gin, which is slightly sweeter than the modern London Dry style. If you want to try the authentic, historic version, seek out a bottle of Old Tom Gin. Otherwise, a classic London Dry Gin like Beefeater or Tanqueray works beautifully.
Keep it Bubbly: The effervescence is key to the drink's refreshing quality. Always use freshly opened, well-chilled club soda. When topping the drink, pour the soda gently down the side of the glass or down a bar spoon to preserve as much carbonation as possible.