This Tom Collins recipe is straightforward to make with gin, lemon juice, easy syrup, and membership soda. Served over ice, this traditional cocktail is vivid and refreshing.
It’s most likely not stunning that I like a Tom Collins cocktail. This glowing gin drink is just one step faraway from do-it-yourself lemonade, in spite of everything.
Made with gin, contemporary lemon juice, easy syrup, and membership soda, it’s vivid, fizzy, and tremendous refreshing. Plus, as a result of it’s an extended drink, which means that the alcohol is blended with an excellent quantity of soda water, it’s not as robust as another cocktails. This makes it excellent for sipping on a sizzling summer season day.
For those who’re new to creating cocktails at dwelling, I feel this Tom Collins recipe is a superb place to begin. You don’t want any particular gear like a cocktail shaker or strainer, as a result of this drink is historically stirred, not shaken. Plus, after you have gin and easy syrup available, you’ll be properly in your option to making different gin cocktails too. Make this recipe first, after which add a gimlet or French 75 to your record to strive subsequent!
Tom Collins Elements
A traditional Tom Collins cocktail has 4 primary substances:
- Gin – In line with Difford’s Information, the Tom Collins cocktail seemingly originated in London within the 1800s, and it was first made with Outdated Tom gin (therefore the “Tom” a part of its title—the “Collins” half comes from the title of the person who popularized it, John Collins). As of late, London Dry gin is the frequent alternative for this drink, however I feel you need to use any sort with a taste profile you like. My go-to manufacturers are Hendrick’s, St. George Botanivore, and Koval Dry Gin.
- Contemporary lemon juice – Freshly squeezed, please! Contemporary juice will give this cocktail the very best, brightest taste. Bonus: When you’ve got contemporary lemons available, you’ll be able to garnish your glass with a lemon slice.
- Easy syrup – For sweetness. No want to purchase this—do-it-yourself easy syrup is straightforward to make with equal components sugar and water.
- Membership soda or glowing water – It provides fizz to the cocktail and dilutes it right into a lower-ABV, sip-able drink.
You’ll additionally want ice for serving, and—should you like—a maraschino cherry (or Luxardo cherry) for garnish. Non-compulsory, however enjoyable!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements beneath.
Methods to Make a Tom Collins Cocktail
I feel a Tom Collins is one in every of the best cocktails to make.
- Simply stir collectively the gin, lemon juice, and easy syrup in a collins glass, highball glass, or different tall glass.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- And prime with glowing water!
Stir gently, then style and regulate earlier than you add your garnishes. In order for you a tangier cocktail, squeeze in some further lemon juice. For a stronger, extra natural drink, add slightly further gin. Need it sweeter? Pour in some extra easy syrup.
Whenever you love the flavour, garnish with a lemon slice and/or cocktail cherry, and luxuriate in!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements beneath.
Extra Cocktail Recipes to Strive
For those who love this Tom Collins recipe, strive one in every of these refreshing cocktails subsequent:

Tom Collins Recipe
Serves 1
Discover ways to make a Tom Collins cocktail! Made with gin, contemporary lemon juice, easy syrup, and membership soda, this traditional drink is sort of a fizzy gin lemonade. It is historically served in a collins glass, however any tall glass will work right here. The scale of your glass will affect the quantity of glowing water you utilize, so make certain to style and regulate earlier than serving.
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In a tall glass, stir collectively the gin, lemon juice, and easy syrup. Fill with ice, prime with membership soda, and gently stir once more.
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Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry and serve.