This Tom Collins recipe is straightforward to make with gin, lemon juice, easy syrup, and membership soda. Served over ice, this basic cocktail is vibrant 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 vibrant, fizzy, and tremendous refreshing. Plus, as a result of it’s an extended drink, which means that the alcohol is blended with a very good quantity of soda water, it’s not as sturdy as another cocktails. This makes it excellent for sipping on a sizzling summer time day.
Should you’re new to creating cocktails at house, I believe this Tom Collins recipe is a good 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 solution to making different gin cocktails too. Make this recipe first, after which add a gimlet or French 75 to your checklist to strive subsequent!
Tom Collins Components
A basic Tom Collins cocktail has 4 fundamental substances:
- Gin – Based on Difford’s Information, the Tom Collins cocktail possible originated in London within the 1800s, and it was first made with Outdated Tom gin (therefore the “Tom” a part of its identify—the “Collins” half comes from the identify of the person who popularized it, John Collins). Nowadays, London Dry gin is the widespread alternative for this drink, however I believe you should use any kind with a taste profile you’re keen on. 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 perfect, brightest taste. Bonus: You probably have contemporary lemons readily 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 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—should you like—a maraschino cherry (or Luxardo cherry) for garnish. Non-obligatory, however enjoyable!
Discover the whole recipe with measurements beneath.
The best way to 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 high 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.
Once you love the flavour, garnish with a lemon slice and/or cocktail cherry, and revel in!
Discover the whole recipe with measurements beneath.
Extra Cocktail Recipes to Strive
Should 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 basic 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 make sure 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, high with membership soda, and gently stir once more.
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Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry and serve.