Absolut's guide to Collins

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: it’s all about proportions. The original Tom Collins was made with Old Tom Gin, sugar, lemon juice and soda water. Our version calls for 3 parts ABSOLUT VODKA, 2 parts lemon juice, 1 part simple syrup, soda water, 1 lemon zest. Build the drink over fresh ice in a highball glass. 

Now it’s up to you! Replace the base spirit, sweeten with honey instead of simple syrup, top up with a flavored soda instead of soda water or add frozen berries. One at the time or all at once…And of course, any of our flavors make a great base for a classic Collins. We have created a couple versions for you and your friends to get inspired by; check them out below.

Very few drinks in history have such disputed origins as the Tom Collins — or John Collins as some cocktail historians claim it was called when created in England during the mid-1800’s. The first known documented recipe of the drink is in Jerry Thomas’s legendary book, The Bartender’s Guide, from 1876. By then it had changed its name to Tom Collins, and no one seems to know why or exactly when John became Tom.