Tom Collins Cocktail – a classic gin drink that’s tart, slightly sweet, and topped with club soda for a refreshing fizz. Perfect for sipping any time.
I enjoy trying classic cocktails — they’re simple, elegant, and rely on quality ingredients. Recently I made a French 75, another gin-based favorite, so I’ve been on a bit of a gin kick. The Tom Collins is just as approachable and delightful.
Basics first
Why is it called a Tom Collins
The Tom Collins appears in Jerry Thomas’s Bar-Tenders Guide from 1876. Thomas was a leading figure in early American mixology. He described the drink as a sparkling lemonade served over ice in a Collins glass. Over time the recipe evolved — simple syrup replaced a sugar scoop — but the core idea remains: citrus, spirit, sweetness, and effervescence.
What’s in a Tom Collins
- Lemon juice
- Gin
- Simple syrup
- Club soda
- Ice
What does a Tom Collins taste like
It tastes like a bright, spiked sparkling lemonade. The lemon and simple syrup create a balanced sweet-tart foundation, while the gin adds botanical notes. A dry London-style gin keeps the drink crisp and classic; a contemporary or floral gin adds a different dimension.
How to make a Tom Collins
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add lemon juice, gin, and simple syrup, then shake until chilled.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with club soda to preserve the fizz.
- Garnish with a lemon slice; a maraschino cherry is optional.
Although ready-made mixes exist, a Tom Collins is so easy to make from scratch there’s no need for them. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is best for bright flavor, but bottled lemon juice will work in a pinch.
What can I use instead of club soda
Club soda provides fizz with little flavor. Sparkling water is an excellent substitute. If you use a sweet soda like Sprite or ginger ale, reduce the simple syrup to avoid an overly sweet drink — the goal is a slightly sweet, tart balance similar to lemonade.
Can I use something other than gin
Yes. Swap the gin for other spirits to create familiar variations: whiskey yields a John Collins, vodka creates a Vodka Collins, Jamaican spiced rum makes a Charlie Collins, and tequila produces a Juan Collins. Experimenting with different spirits is a fun way to customize the drink.
Simple, light, and refreshing, the Tom Collins is an easy cocktail to enjoy any evening — from Friday nights to midweek unwinding.
More fun drink recipes to try
- Beer Margarita
- Vodka Gimlet
- Amaretto Sour
- Sex on the Beach
- Gin and Tonic
- White Sangria
- Long Island Iced Tea
- Vodka Soda
Tom Collins Cocktail
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5
Ingredients
- 2 oz lemon juice
- 3 oz gin
- 1 oz simple syrup
- 4 oz club soda
- Lemon slices, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add lemon juice, simple syrup, and gin. Shake until cold.
- Strain into a glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon slice. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is approximate.
Additional Info
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