This Tom Collins recipe is straightforward to make with gin, lemon juice, easy syrup, and membership soda. Served over ice, this traditional cocktail is shiny and refreshing.
It’s in all probability not shocking that I like a Tom Collins cocktail. This glowing gin drink is just one step faraway from selfmade lemonade, in spite of everything.
Made with gin, contemporary lemon juice, easy syrup, and membership soda, it’s shiny, fizzy, and tremendous refreshing. Plus, as a result of it’s a protracted drink, which means that the alcohol is blended with quantity of soda water, it’s not as sturdy as another cocktails. This makes it good for sipping on a scorching summer time day.
In the event you’re new to creating cocktails at dwelling, I believe this Tom Collins recipe is a good place to start out. You don’t want any particular tools like a cocktail shaker or strainer, as a result of this drink is historically stirred, not shaken. Plus, upon getting gin and easy syrup readily available, you’ll be nicely in your solution 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 – Based on 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Information, the Tom Collins cocktail seemingly originated in London within the 1800s, and it was first made with Outdated Tom gin (therefore the “Tom” a part of its identify—the “Collins” half comes from the identify of the person who popularized it, John Collins). Lately, London Dry gin is the widespread alternative for this drink, however I believe you should utilize any kind with a taste profile you’re keen on. My go-to manufacturers are Hendrick’s, St. George Botanivore, and Koval Dry Gin.
- Recent lemon juice – Freshly squeezed, please! Recent juice will give this cocktail one of the best, brightest taste. Bonus: When you have contemporary lemons readily available, you may garnish your glass with a lemon slice.
- Easy syrup – For sweetness. No want to purchase this—selfmade easy syrup is straightforward to make with equal elements 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—if you happen to like—a maraschino cherry (or Luxardo cherry) for garnish. Optionally available, however enjoyable!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements under.
How you can Make a Tom Collins Cocktail
I believe a Tom Collins is one among the simplest 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. If you’d like 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.
If you love the flavour, garnish with a lemon slice and/or cocktail cherry, and luxuriate in!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements under.
Extra Cocktail Recipes to Attempt
In the event you love this Tom Collins recipe, strive one among these refreshing cocktails subsequent:

Tom Collins Recipe
Serves 1
Learn 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 dimensions of your glass will affect the quantity of glowing water you utilize, so be certain that to style and regulate earlier than serving.
Stop your display from going darkish
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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.