12 Jun Tom Collins A classic gin cocktail
The Tom Collins is one of the most iconic gin cocktails ever created. Built with gin, lemon juice, sugar and soda water, it is a simple highball that has remained popular for generations.
Light, crisp and refreshing, the Tom Collins is easy to drink while still maintaining the structure and balance of a classic sour.
The history of the Tom Collins
The Tom Collins dates back to the 19th century and is considered one of the earliest classic gin cocktails. Its origins are closely tied to the popularity of gin punches and sparkling drinks served in tall glasses.
The cocktail became especially well known during the 1870s after the “Tom Collins Hoax,” a practical joke where people were told that someone named Tom Collins was speaking badly about them at another bar. The prank spread quickly throughout the United States and helped make the name famous.
Around the same time, the cocktail itself gained popularity and was eventually included in Jerry Thomas’ Bartender’s Guide, one of the earliest cocktail books ever published.
Traditionally, the Tom Collins is made with Old Tom Gin, which is slightly sweeter than modern London Dry styles. Today, however, most versions are made with London Dry gin while still keeping the same refreshing structure.
The Tom Collins remains a staple among classic cocktails because of its simplicity and balance. It is one of the best examples of how a few ingredients can create a timeless drink.
Choosing the ingredients
Gin:
We use Bombay Sapphire as the base spirit. Its clean and balanced botanical profile works naturally in a Tom Collins, adding light citrus and floral notes without overpowering the drink.
A Tom Collins should feel crisp and refreshing, and a well balanced gin helps maintain that character. Overly heavy or aggressive gins can make the cocktail feel less refreshing.
Lemon Juice:
Fresh lemon juice provides the acidity that gives the cocktail its brightness and structure. Bottled lemon juice will not produce the same result. Fresh juice creates a cleaner and more vibrant cocktail.
Simple syrup:
We recommend making all sirups homemade, because it allows you to control the flavors and ensures a cleaner result than most storebought sirups.
Sparkling water:
Soda water gives the cocktail its signature light and sparkling character. Use cold and freshly carbonated soda water for the best result. Flat soda will make the drink feel dull and lifeless.
Garnish
You may garnish the Tom Collins with a lemon wedge.
Tom Collins
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare garnish by cutting a lemon wedge.
- Add gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker.
- Fill the shaker and highball glass with ice.
- Shake hard for 8-12 seconds.
- Strain into the highball glass.
- Garnish with the lemon wedge and serve.
What to Remember
- Keep it simple - Use fresh ingredients and quality spirits. Nothing more is needed.
Keep it cold - Use plenty of ice and cold soda water to maintain freshness and carbonation.
Do not over sweeten - The cocktail should feel crisp and refreshing. The sugar should balance the lemon, not dominate it
- Serve immediately - The cocktail is best enjoyed freshly made while the carbonation is still strong
FAQ
- What glass should I use for serving? - Serve the Tom Collins in a highball glass with ice.
- What is the difference between a Tom Collins and a Gin Fizz? - A Tom Collins is served in a tall glass with more soda water, while a Gin Fizz is with egg whites.
- What is the alcohol percentage of a Tom Collins? - The alcohol content typically ranges between 10 and 14% ABV, depending on dilution and the amount of soda water used
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Carl-Ditlev is a bartender and co-founder of EOW Magazine, dedicated to keeping cocktails simple with quality spirits, fresh juice, and homemade syrups.
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