Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe

Create a professional-level Tom Collins right at home with this straightforward cocktail recipe.

What Is a Tom Collins Cocktail?

A Tom Collins is a gin-based drink made with fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and fizzy club soda, typically served over ice in a tall Tom Collins glass.

The Tom Collins cocktail isn’t named after an actual person. While the drink likely originated in London, its name likely stems from a popular prank that swept through New York and Philadelphia in the 1870s.

Here’s how it went: Someone would ask, "Do you know Tom Collins?" When the unsuspecting person said they didn’t, the prankster would claim that this fictitious man was going from bar to bar spreading false stories about them.

The prank became so famous it was eventually called The Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874.

Tom Collins Cocktail Ingredients

To prepare a homemade Tom Collins, you’ll need the following ingredients:

· Ice: A classic Tom Collins is served over ice.
· Gin: Choose a dry London gin for the best flavor.
· Lemon: You’ll need fresh lemon juice for the cocktail and a wedge for garnish.
· Simple syrup: You can use pre-made simple syrup or easily prepare it at home.
· Club soda: Club soda adds the signature bubbles to this refreshing drink.

How to Make the Perfect Tom Collins

Here’s a quick summary of the process — the full recipe is below, but this is what you can expect when you make a Tom Collins at home:

1. Fill your glass with ice and place it in the freezer to chill.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and shake well.
3. Strain the mixture into your chilled glass, top with club soda, and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Serving Your Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is traditionally served in a Collins glass, which is a tall, narrow vessel that's smaller than a typical highball glass. It’s poured over ice and garnished with a slice or wedge of lemon. Some prefer adding a maraschino cherry, though it’s optional.

Contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients Needed

• 2 ½ cups ice, divided

• 2 fluid ounces gin

• ¾ fluid ounce lemon juice

• ½ fluid ounce simple syrup

• 2 fluid ounces club soda

• 1 lemon wedge

Instructions

Strain the mixture into your chilled Collins glass. Top with club soda and garnish with a fresh lemon wedge.

Nutrition Information (per serving)