The Tom Collins is the ultimate summer drink! Made with just 4 simple ingredients, it’s perfectly sweet, light, and refreshing. It’s easy to make by the glass or pitcherful, and perfect for sipping all day long. If you love lemonade, you’re sure to LOVE this delicious lemon cocktail!
There are some cocktails you spend your whole life hearing about, and the Tom Collins is one of them.
It’s a drink that’s been around for over a century, and one that can definitely be considered a classic. And once you try it, I’m sure you’ll understand why.
Not only is it incredibly easy to make, with just 4 simple ingredients, but it goes down SO smoothly. Because it’s essentially a boozy lemonade… and really… who doesn’t love a refreshing glass of lemonade on a hot summer day!?
It’s the perfect cocktail for sipping by the pool, and it’s easy to mix up a big batch for a party, too. And… it’s one of those drinks that EVERYONE agrees on! Every time! And you seriously can’t go wrong with that.
[feast_advanced_jump_to]
🍋 Ingredients
- 2 oz. gin
- 3/4 oz. lemon juice
- 3/4 oz. simple syrup
- club soda or sparkling water
📋 Instructions
- Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well; strain into a tall glass with ice. (Glass should be about 2/3 full)
- Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon slice.
⏳ History of the Tom Collins
The Tom Collins is a cocktail made from gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. The earliest mention of it was in 1876 in Jerry Thomas’ book “The Bartender’s Guide.” It is believe to have been named after the Tom Collins Hoax of 1874, a common hoax circulating in New York at the time.
🥃 Recipe variations
The Tom Collins is part of the Collins family of cocktails, and there are countless variations you can make. Collins cocktails are basically sour cocktails made using a base spirit, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. These are some of the most popular variations:
- Captain Collins – made with Canadian whiskey
- Colonel Collins – made with Bourbon whiskey
- Joe Collins – made with vodka
- Pierre Collins – made with brandy
- Pedro Collins – made with light white rum
- Jack Collins – made with calvados
- Pepito Collins – made with tequila
🍸 Related recipes
- Whiskey Sour
- Vodka Cranberry
- Grapefruit Vodka Press
- Pineapple Margarita
- Grapefruit Mojito
- Orange Moscow Mule
- Paloma
- Lemon Meringue Martini
Ingredients
- 2 oz. gin
- 3/4 oz. lemon juice
- 3/4 oz. simple syrup
- club soda or sparkling water
- lemon slice
Instructions
- Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake well; strain into a tall glass with ice. (Glass should be about 2/3 full.)
- Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon slice.
Carrie Robinson says
Such a classic cocktail! Saving this one for the weekend. 🙂
Suzy says
So refreshing and so easy to make! Love the flavors!