Tom Collins
Average
Fresh
2 Minutes
Highball Glass
Ingredients
The Tom Collins is a classic gin cocktail that dates back to the 1880s.
Its popularity remains more than a century later, and has been the inspiration for countless variations and other sparkling drinks like the French 75 and many modern spritzes.
So fresh, so satisfying, the Tom Collins is easy to make and a guaranteed crowd pleaser. While there are many Collins variations, below we’re going to show you how to make a classic Tom Collins.
How To Make a TOM COLLINS COCKTAIL
Bar tools you’ll need
Jigger
Knife
Boston Shaker
Citrus Press
How to Mix
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Measure and pour Simple Syrup into the smaller tin of a Boston Shaker.
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Use a Paring Knife to cut one Lemon in half with a Paring Knife. Using a Citrus Elbow, juice the Lemon. Save the other half for garnishing later.
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Using a Jigger, measure and pour the Lemon Juice into the Shaker.
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Measure and pour Beefeater Gin into the Shaker.
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Fill the Shaker with Ice Cubes and shake until chilled.
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Place a Hawthorne Strainer over the larger tin of the Boston Shaker and pour the mixture directly into a Collins Glass.
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Add Ice Cubes to the top of the Glass.
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Top up with Soda Water.
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Use a Knife to cut a strip of Lemon Zest, squeeze the oils into the drink and then place the Lemon Twist in the Glass together with a Fresh Cherry to garnish.
Rico shows how to make a Tom Collins cocktail:
What is a Tom Collins Cocktail?
The Tom Collins is a classic gin cocktail that dates back to the 1880s. The epitome of simplicity and proof that less is often more. A classic Tom Collins drink is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and soda water. And it’s just perfect.
What Does a Tom Collins Drink Taste Like?
“You get that nice hint of Lemon, beautiful Gin, with the Juniper coming through nicely, balanced out with the Sugar and then a nice bit of effervescence from the Soda. It’s a perfect drink for the summer,” says Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.
The History of the Tom Collins Cocktail
“This is one of those drinks that has a disputed origin. No one knows really where it comes from,” shares Rico. Some say it was invented in the UK, others say it was invented in the US. “All I know is that this drink is banging,” says Rico.
The earliest publication of any Collins or Fizz recipe can be found in an 1882 bartender’s manual, featuring both a Tom Collins, which calls for Old Tom Gin, and a John Collins, which calls for Holland Gin (known today as Genièvre).
A drink known as a John Collins has been around since at least the 1860s and is believed to have originated with a head waiter of that name who worked at a popular London hotel and coffee house around 1790–1817. This cocktail is very similar to the Tom Collins we know today and originally contained Old Tom Gin. Due to the use of this specific Gin, some suggest that the name eventually changed to Tom Collins.
Tips for Making the Perfect Tom Collins Cocktail
Use your favorite Gin
As Rico shares in the video, the original recipe for a Tom Collins calls for Old Tom Gin but Rico makes his with Beefeater London Dry Gin.
If you have a preferred Gin, use that when making your Tom Collins. Taste is personal and your drink is your drink.
Variations of a Tom Collins Cocktail
A quick Google search will reveal there are as many Tom Collins variations as there are bartenders crafting them. It would be impossible for us to list every variation, so, instead, we’ll list a few of our favorites:
- Elderflower Collins
As if the Tom Collins wasn’t already a summer-perfect drink, along comes the Elderflower Collins. Instead of Gin, the Elderflower Collins uses Absolut Vodka but reintroduces the herbal elements with the addition of Elderflower Cordial instead. Lemon Juice, Elderflower, Soda Water and Vodka – now that’s a summer drink! Here’s how to make an Elderflower Collins. - Colonel Collins (aka Bourbon Collins)
Swapping Gin for Bourbon, the Colonel Collins is a delightful variation of the Tom Collins where the Lemon and Bourbon combine beautifully to create a fantastic late-night sipper. Take a look at our Colonel Collins recipe. - Brandy Collins
Prefer Cognac to Gin? Go for it Simply follow the Tom Collins recipe on this page but swap the Gin for Cognac for a completely different taste profile. Discover how to make a Brandy Collins.
- Rum Collins
Or maybe you prefer the taste of Cuban Rum instead of Gin, Bourbon or Brandy? Whatever the case may be, this deliciously rich Rum variation of a classic Tom Collins is highly recommended. Here’s how to make a Rum Collins. - Absolut Mandrin Collins
The Absolut Mandrin Collins heightens the citrus flavors of a classic Tom Collins by blending Lemon Juice with the rich, mature Mandarin notes of Absolut Mandrin (Mandarin-Flavored Vodka). Garnished with both a Lemon Wedge and an Orange Wedge, this Tom Collins variation is so citrusy good. Here’s how to make an Absolut Mandrin Collins. - Orange Blossom Collins
This variation gives the Tom Collins fruity and juicy twist mixing Gin, Fresh Pressed Orange Juice, Simple Syrup and Soda Water. Another summer essential! Here’s our recipe for an Orange Blossom Collins. - Joe Collins
Here’s another Tom Collins variation with Vodka instead of Gin. But that’s not all, it also mixes Fresh Lime Juice in addition to Lemon Juice and a dash of Bitters for a truly unique and citrusy variation. Sip and enjoy! Here’s how to make a Joe Collins. - Passionfruit Collins
A personal favorite, the Passionfruit Collins mixes the deliciousness of Absolut Passionfruit Vodka together with Fresh Lemon Juice, Sugar Syrup, Passionfruit Liqueur and Soda Water. If you have a passion for Passion Fruit, this is your drink. Discover our Passionfruit Collins recipe.
Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Tom Collins Cocktail
- Few cocktails have a glass named after them, but the Tom Collins does. That’s why a Tom Collins should be served in nothing less than a Collins Glass, of course.
- As you’ll see in the video, Rico likes to garnish a Tom Collins with Lemon Zest, but he says you can switch it up with Orange or any zest you prefer. Since the cocktail rocks Lemon Juice, adding Lemon Zest heightens the experience, perfectly blending the look and taste of this classic drink.
Tom Collins Cocktail FAQ
A Collins Glass is similar to a Highball Glass but is taller and narrower. A Collins Glass holds approx. 300 to 410 milliliters (10 to 14 US fl oz). Truth be told, the Collins Glass and a Highball Glass are often used interchangeably.
Read this article to learn more about the different types of cocktail glassware.
Both drinks are Gin-based classics. Tom Collins is on the sweeter side while a G&T is a little more tart. A Tom Collins mixes Gin, Fresh Lemon Juice, a hint of Simple Syrup and is topped up with Soda Water, whereas a Gin and Tonic contains just that – Gin and Tonic Water.
The two are very, very similar. In fact, both a Tom Collins and a Gin Sour uses the exact same ingredients but the latter, like all Sour Cocktails, has the addition of Egg White, which gives the drink a wonderfully, fluffy and foamy texture.
There are several stories and theories about the drink’s name, but one of the most popular is that it was originally called John Collins, after the bartender who created it. However, because it was made with Old Tom Gin, people began calling it a Tom Collins instead.
Another popular story claims that the Tom Collins originated from a prank in New York in 1874. Friends would tell people in bars that a man named Tom Collins was spreading rumors about them around the city.
In any case, neither story can be verified as true.
