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 really like a Tom Collins cocktail. This glowing gin drink is just one step faraway from do-it-yourself lemonade, in any case.
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 an extended drink, that means that the alcohol is combined 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 time day.
In case you’re new to creating cocktails at residence, I feel this Tom Collins recipe is a superb place to begin. 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, after you have gin and easy syrup readily available, you’ll be nicely in your approach to making different gin cocktails too. Make this recipe first, after which add a gimlet or French 75 to your listing to attempt subsequent!
Tom Collins Substances
A traditional Tom Collins cocktail has 4 fundamental elements:
- Gin – In keeping with Difford’s Information, the Tom Collins cocktail doubtless originated in London within the 1800s, and it was first made with Outdated Tom gin (therefore the “Tom” a part of its title—the “Collins” half comes from the title of the person who popularized it, John Collins). Lately, London Dry gin is the frequent alternative for this drink, however I feel you should use any kind 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: You probably have contemporary lemons readily available, you may 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—when you like—a maraschino cherry (or Luxardo cherry) for garnish. Non-obligatory, however enjoyable!
Discover the entire recipe with measurements beneath.
Tips on how to Make a Tom Collins Cocktail
I feel a Tom Collins is one in all 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 alter earlier than you add your garnishes. If you need a tangier cocktail, squeeze in some further lemon juice. For a stronger, extra natural drink, add a bit further gin. Need it sweeter? Pour in some extra easy syrup.
Once 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 Attempt
In case you love this Tom Collins recipe, attempt one in all 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 be certain to style and alter 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.