Theo Nash
The Tom Collins is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda, typically served over ice in a tall glass. It is believed to have originated in the 1800s and is named after a widespread practical joke that swept through New York and Philadelphia. The drink is part of the Collins family of cocktails, which are characterised by being sour and topped with soda water. The Tom Collins is a popular choice for those looking for a refreshing cocktail with a kick, and its recipe has remained largely unchanged for over a century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol base | Gin |
| Alcohol content | 9% ABV |
| Other ingredients | Lemon juice, simple syrup, club soda |
| Glassware | Collins glass |
| Garnish | Lemon wedge, cherry, orange slice, or lemon wheel |
| Variations | Honey-sweetened, herb-infused, elderflower, cucumber, champagne, bourbon, or vodka |
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What You'll Learn
Gin is the base alcohol
The Tom Collins is part of the Collins family of drinks, which are sour cocktails involving a spirit mixed with sugar and citrus, served in a tall glass over ice and topped with soda water. The base alcohol varies, but in the case of the Tom Collins, it's gin.
The drink is believed to have originated in London in the 1800s. Early iterations of the cocktail were made with either genever or Old Tom gin, with the recipe appearing in the first bartending book, "Professor" Jerry Thomas' "Bon Vivant's Companion", in 1877. The name "Tom Collins" is likely derived from a practical joke that swept through New York and Philadelphia in the 1870s, where someone would ask their friend if they knew "Tom Collins", and then send them off on a wild goose chase to find the nonexistent man who was supposedly speaking ill of them.
The Tom Collins cocktail has remained popular for over a century and has helped create the template for other sour-sparkling beverages like the French 75 and many modern spritzes. It's a refreshing drink, perfect for hot summer days, with a balance of sweet, tart, and bubbly flavours, and a kick from the gin.
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Lemon juice adds tartness
The Tom Collins cocktail is a refreshing drink that is perfect for hot summer days. It is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda, served over ice in a tall glass. The drink is named after a widespread practical joke that swept across New York and Philadelphia in the 1870s.
The amount of lemon juice used in a Tom Collins can vary depending on personal preference, but it typically ranges from 1 ounce to 1 1/2 ounces. Some recipes also call for a lemon wedge or lemon wheel to be used as a garnish, adding a further touch of tartness to the drink.
The lemon juice used in a Tom Collins can be freshly squeezed or store-bought. Freshly squeezed lemon juice tends to have a brighter, more vibrant flavour, while store-bought lemon juice may be more convenient for those seeking a quick and easy preparation method.
The combination of lemon juice and simple syrup in the Tom Collins creates a delightful sweet and sour taste profile that has made it a classic cocktail. The balance between these two ingredients is key to the drink's overall flavour and can be adjusted to suit individual preferences.
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Simple syrup for sweetness
The Tom Collins cocktail is a refreshing drink that combines gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. The simple syrup in this cocktail recipe is what gives it its sweetness.
Simple syrup is a common ingredient in cocktails and can be easily made at home. To make simple syrup, you need to combine equal parts sugar (or honey) and water in a small saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sweetener fully dissolves into the water. Once the sweetener has dissolved, remove the pot from the heat and set it aside to cool before using it in your cocktail.
The amount of simple syrup used in a Tom Collins can vary depending on personal preference. Some people prefer their cocktails less sweet, so they may use just a splash of simple syrup to round out the flavours. The simple syrup can also be substituted or complemented with other sweeteners like honey or elderflower liqueur to create different variations of the Tom Collins, such as the Honey-Sweetened Tom Collins or the Elderflower Tom Collins.
Additionally, you can infuse the simple syrup with herbs like lavender, thyme, or rosemary to add unique flavour profiles to your cocktail. To do this, simply add the desired herb to the pot of simple syrup before cooking and leave it in until the syrup has cooled. These variations in sweeteners and infusions allow you to customise your Tom Collins to your taste preferences and create a cocktail that is perfectly suited to your palate.
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Club soda for fizz
The Tom Collins is a classic cocktail that has been around since the late 1800s. It is believed to have originated in London, but its name probably comes from a practical joke that became popular in New York and Philadelphia in the 1870s. The drink is a variation of gin punches that were served at fashionable London clubs in the first half of the 19th century.
The Tom Collins is a simple yet refreshing cocktail that is perfect for hot summer days. It is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda for fizz. The club soda is what gives the Tom Collins its signature fizz and makes it a light and bubbly drink. It is typically served in a Collins glass, which is a tall, skinny glass that holds between 10 and 14 ounces.
To make a Tom Collins, fill a cocktail shaker with ice, gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake well for 20 to 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker is cold. Fill a Collins glass with ice and strain the contents of the shaker into the glass. Top it off with club soda and give it a final stir. Garnish with a lemon wedge, cherry, or an orange slice.
The beauty of the Tom Collins is that it can be easily customized to suit your taste. For a sweeter twist, use honey instead of sugar to make the simple syrup. You can also add fresh herbs like lavender, thyme, or rosemary to your simple syrup for a unique flavour profile. If you're feeling adventurous, try substituting St. Germain (an elderflower liqueur) for some or all of the simple syrup, or use cucumber-infused gin for a refreshing twist.
The Tom Collins is a versatile cocktail that can be adapted for different seasons. For cooler days, substitute bourbon or vodka for the gin, or go extra fancy with brut Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava instead of club soda. No matter how you customize it, the Tom Collins is a delightful and refreshing cocktail that's perfect for any occasion.
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A low ABV cocktail
The Tom Collins is a classic cocktail, with a long history that can be traced back to the 1800s. It is believed to have originated in London and is said to have been named after a practical joke that swept through New York and Philadelphia in the 1870s. The drink is a type of gin sour, lengthened with soda water, and is typically served in a tall glass over ice.
The Tom Collins is part of a family of drinks known as 'Collins', which are sour cocktails made by mixing a spirit with sugar and citrus, and topping it with soda water. The base spirit is usually gin, but other variations include the John Collins, made with whiskey, and the Bourbon or Vodka Collins. The Tom Collins is considered a light drink, with an ABV of around 9%, which is lower than most wines.
To make a low ABV cocktail, the Tom Collins is a great option as it is simple to make and can be easily adapted to suit different tastes and occasions. The basic ingredients are gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. The simple syrup can be made by combining equal parts sugar and water in a small saucepan and heating gently until the sugar has dissolved. The gin, lemon juice, and syrup are then shaken with ice in a cocktail shaker and strained into a glass filled with ice. Finally, the drink is topped with club soda and garnished with a lemon wedge, cherry, or other fruit of your choice.
The beauty of the Tom Collins is that it can be easily adapted to create a range of different flavours. For example, honey can be used instead of sugar to make the simple syrup, adding floral notes that complement the botanicals in the gin. Fresh herbs such as lavender, thyme, or rosemary can also be added to the simple syrup, or used as a garnish to give the drink a unique flavour profile. Another variation is the Elderflower Tom Collins, where St. Germain elderflower liqueur is used in place of some or all of the simple syrup. For a refreshing summer cocktail, try adding slices of fresh cucumber to the cocktail shaker, or substituting the club soda with brut Champagne, Prosecco, or Cava for an extra kick.
The Tom Collins is a versatile and refreshing cocktail that is perfect for those who want a long, low ABV drink that can be enjoyed over an extended period. Its simple recipe can be easily adapted to create a range of flavours, making it a popular choice for those who want a classic cocktail with a modern twist.
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Frequently asked questions
Gin.
Lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda.
When made with 80-proof gin, the average ABV of a Tom Collins is 9%.
The Tom Collins was created in the late 1800s and was likely named after a widespread practical joke that swept the United States. The drink was first mentioned in Jerry Thomas' 1877 bartending book, "Bon Vivant's Companion".
Some popular variations of the Tom Collins include the Honey-Sweetened Tom Collins, the Herb-Infused Tom Collins, the Elderflower Tom Collins, and the Extra-Strong Champagne Tom Collins.
