How to Make a Tom Collins

A classic since cocktails began, the Tom Collins has always been popular with its simple ingredients of gin, citrus, sugar and bubbles. Anyone can make this cocktail!

Where was the Tom Collins born?

Who is Tom Collins and why does he have a cocktail named after him? Well, it all started with a bit of a practical joke. A friend of yours would walk into a bar, and you would ask them if they knew Tom Collins. He said no he didn’t know him.

You would tell him that he was badmouthing your friend at a the last bar and then your friend would run into the other bar looking for this Tom Collins. Of course, there would be no one there by that name! A bartender in New York felt sorry for all these chumps and offered them a cocktail or two. Thus, the Tom Collins cocktail was launched!

Another story is that, around the 1810’s, a John Collins, from Limmer’s Old House in London, became attached to the cocktail and it morphed into Tom. Or it could be because it was a cocktail made with Old Tom Gin.

We are sure that the man himself, the father of the bartending, “Professor” Jerry Thomas, the author of one of the first cocktail recipe books, included it in his Bon Vivant’s Companion, published in 1877!

What is the Tom Collins

A Collins cocktail (John, Tom, Whiskey, Rum) is originally Old Tom Gin, lemon and sugar, topped up with soda water and served in a Highball glass with ice. Still you can use any style gin you wish. A bit of shaking is required!

The Ingredients

To make a classic Tom Collins, you’ll need:

• Gin: The real recipe calls for Old Tom Gin but London Dry gin works best for its crisp and juniper-forward flavor.
• Fresh lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential for the bright, tangy flavor.
• Simple syrup: A 1:1 ratio of sugar to water provides just the right touch of sweetness. I make my own sugar syrup. It takes about 2 minutes. Just measure out half of a cup (100ml) of white sugar into a pot and add the same amount of water. Heat until dissolved, let it cool, then pour into a glass container. It can keep in the fridge for months.
• Club soda: Adds effervescence and lengthens the drink.
• Garnish: A lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry complete the presentation.
• Ice: For a chilled and refreshing cocktail.

Fresh ingredients are so important – so please, please, please use fresh lemon juice! I love this lemon squeezer which has holes on the bottom that fit right over the jigger, making it super easy to get the perfect amount of lime.

What is Old Tom Gin

Not to confuse you but in the olden days there was Holland Gin (unsweetened and more like gin today) and Old Tom Gin (sweetened)! As modern gin was inspired by the Dutch Genever, it because known as Holland Gin.

Old Tom Gin was the rage in 17th C Britain. Its name came from the wood signs attached to the outside wall of the gin joint usually shaped like a black cat, known as Old Tom. It’s become very trendy and you can find a number of Old Tom Gins on the market now

The Equipment

Crafting a Tom Collins doesn’t require a lot of specialized equipment, making it a great choice for home bartenders. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Cocktail shaker: For mixing the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
• Strainer: To ensure a smooth pour without any pulp or ice shards.
• Collins glass: A tall and narrow glass that’s the namesake of the cocktail.
• Bar spoon: For gently stirring in the club soda.
• Jigger: To measure your ingredients accurately.

Always add in the spirit last. Just in case you made a mistake, you don’t want to waste any of that precious liquid. I always promote the use of the best spirits on the market. Don’t skimp! Invest in a good spirit and your cocktail will always be so much better.

Top Tip(ples): If you want to try another gin classic, don’t miss the Gin Fizz, the Gimlet, or the French 75!

Here is the recipe!

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