Tom Collins co*cktail Recipe & Instructions - MyBartender (2024)

in Recipe, Drinks, Gin

byPaul Kushner0 Comments

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Who is Tom Collins, and how did he get a co*cktail named after him? More importantly, how do we make this delicious co*cktail? Let’s get into it.

History

Oddly enough, the history of this drink goes back to a man named John Collins: not Tom. John was head waiter at a place called Limmer’s Old House back in the 1860s, and he’s credited for inventing the basis for this drink using Old Tom gin (hence the name change from “John” to “Tom”).

Tom Collins co*cktail Recipe & Instructions - MyBartender (2)

However, that’s not the end of the story.

Practical Jokers

Collins is a pretty common name, and back in the 1870s, much of the USA was involved in a little practical joke they thought was simply hilarious. People were running around telling others that someone named Tom (you guessed it) Collins was talking smack about them behind their backs.

Journalists in particular actually had a minor competition going to see who could wind up their friends the for the longest, convincing them to believe in this mysterious new personal enemy: Collins.

The co*cktail came to prominence at the same time as the practical joke, so it’s hard to believe they weren’t related. Most likely, the practical joke highlighted the name and gave the drink a special prominence in people’s thinking.

How to Make It

Tom Collins co*cktail Recipe & Instructions - MyBartender (3)

Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a classic and refreshing co*cktail that's easy to make at home.

See also 16 Must-Try Bombay Sapphire co*cktails

Ingredients

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • .5oz simple syrup
  • Top with club soda
  • Lemon and cherry garnish

Instructions

    1. Shake the gin and lemon juice in a co*cktail shaker, then pour over ice into a glass.
    2. Top with soda water and garnish.

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A Note on Old Tom Gin

You should know that the original Old Tom isn’t available anymore. Old Tom fell in the middle of the gin flavors: not as botanical as most modern gins, but not as malty as the Jenever. Unfortunately for Collins fans, Prohibition killed off America’s taste for this gin, and it was replaced by London Dry.

Today, you can find variations of it from a number of distilleries. Perhaps the most popular are those from Hayman Distillers and Ransom.

Ransom’s is a bit maltier, but less sweet and with fewer botanicals. Hayman’s is clear, sweeter, and has a very juniper nose.

Variations

The traditional Collins isn’t as sweet as the one we drink today, and that’s because of another twist in the story from 1882.

The John Collins

In that year, another bartender named Harry Johnson made two Collins drinks. They were essentially the same, using either Old Tom gin or a new and popular Dutch gin called Jenever.

If you used Jenever, it was a John Collins. If you used Old Tom, it was a Tom. However, if you ordered a John Collins, you were likely to get some sugar syrup to sweeten it, which made it a lot more like what we drink today.

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Some takes on the John Collins today actually use bourbon instead of gin, making an entirely different drink.

Other Collins co*cktails

Because the Tom Collins is such a simple co*cktail – gin, lemon juice. club soda – it’s easy to change it up.

You could try a Vodka Collins, which replaces the gin for vodka.

The Ron Collins uses a spiced rum instead of gin, and also includes Angostura bitters and demerara syrup.

The Michael Collins opts for Irish whiskey instead of gin.

FAQ

What is a Tom Collins made of?

The classic Tom Collins co*cktail is made of gin, lemon juice, and club soda. You can also add simple syrup to sweeten it if you want.

What is the difference between a Tom Collins and a gin and tonic?

Both the Tom Collins and the gin and tonic are gin-based co*cktails, but the Tom Collins is made with lemon juice and club soda, where the gin and tonic uses tonic water and often features a squeeze of lime, not lemon.

A gin and tonic is most often served with a lime wedge, but you can also enjoy a gin and tonic with lemon.

Tom Collins co*cktail Recipe & Instructions - MyBartender (4)

Please drink responsibly, be fully accountable with your alcohol consumption, and show others respect.

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Written by Paul Kushner

Founder and CEO of MyBartender. Graduated from Penn State University. He always had a deep interest in the restaurant and bar industry. His restaurant experience began in 1997 at the age of 14 as a bus boy. By the time he turned 17 he was serving tables, and by 19 he was bartending/bar managing 6-7 nights a week.

In 2012, after a decade and a half of learning all facets of the industry, Paul opened his first restaurant/bar. In 2015, a second location followed, the latter being featured on The Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.

Follow them on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Google Guide and MuckRack.

Tom Collins co*cktail Recipe & Instructions - MyBartender (2024)

FAQs

Is a Singapore sling the same as a Tom Collins? ›

Some similar co*cktails to the Tom Collins are Singapore Sling, Sloe Gin Fizz, Starburst 3, Alabama Slammer, Adios Mother and Italian Ice.

What is the difference between a Gin Fizz and a Tom Collins co*cktail? ›

The main difference between the two classic co*cktails is that a Gin Fizz is served without ice, and a Tom Collins is served on ice. Another key difference is that a Gin Fizz features egg white. Confusingly, a Gin Fizz is sometimes referred to as a Silver Fizz too.

What gin is best for Tom Collins? ›

Now, if you want to go with a gin that would have been likely used during the original creation of the Tom Collins you can utilize something like an Old Tom Gin (and hey, both have “Tom“ in the name, so perhaps you'll find it is the perfect match). Other gins like Plymouth or Bombay Dry Drin would work well.

What is used to serve mixed drinks especially Tom Collins co*cktail? ›

A collins glass is a glass tumbler which typically will contain 300 to 410 millilitres (10 to 14 US fl oz). It is commonly used to serve sparkling co*cktails, especially long drinks like the Tom Collins or John Collins.

Why was the Singapore Sling removed? ›

The Singapore Sling was changed for the 2013 Grand Prix and Turn 10 is now a flowing left-hander. Drivers have commented that without the Singapore Sling chicane, the track is much more manageable. In January 2010, it was reported that race organisers were considering changes to the circuit for the 2011 season.

What is the difference between Tom Collins and John Collins co*cktail? ›

The John Collins is similar to its more famous sibling, the Tom Collins co*cktail, except it's made with bourbon whiskey instead of gin. Any type of bourbon complements the lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda well, so choose your favorite and enjoy this classic co*cktail.

What alcohol goes in a Tom Collins? ›

In small pitcher, stir together simple syrup, gin, and lemon juice. Fill 4 glasses to brim with ice. In each glass, pour about 2/3 cup gin mixture; top with 1/4 cup club soda.

What is the smoothest gin to drink? ›

Rich and smooth, Plymouth gin has won many awards over the years and is a popular spirit to use in co*cktails such as: A classic Dry Gin Martini that typically includes Plymouth gin, vermouth, and orange bitters.

What kind of glass is a Tom Collins served in? ›

The Tom Collins is such a pervasive drink it has it's own glass: the collins glass, which are tall, narrow and holds about 12 ounces. These are perfect. But the drink can be served in anything it'll fit in, like a highball glass - which are technically a bit small than a collins - or a large rocks glass.

What is the poshest gin? ›

Crystal clear in appearance, Watenshi is a dry, medium-bodied gin that balances undeniable intensity with fresh softness. Menthol notes of shiso partnered with yuzu citrus deliver lively acidity and energy, while a base of sansho and juniper provide a rich, long finish to savour. Truly, objectively, outstanding.

Do you shake or stir a Tom Collins? ›

Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a co*cktail shaker. Add 1 cup ice, cover, and shake until chilled. Strain into the chilled Collins glass.

What is a Charlie Chaplin co*cktail? ›

1 1/2 part Sipsmith® Sloe Gin. 1 part freshly squeezed lime juice. 3/4 part apricot brandy. 1/4 part simple syrup.

Why is it called Tom Collins? ›

One origin story holds that the drink was originally called the John Collins, after a bartender that may have invented it. This story claims that the name eventually evolved because the concoction was typically made with Old Tom gin, so drinkers eventually began calling the drink Tom Collins rather than John Collins.

What was the original name of the Singapore Sling? ›

This long drink was developed in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon (traditional Chinese: 嚴崇文; simplified Chinese: 严崇文; pinyin: Yán Chóngwén; Wade–Giles: Yen Ch'ung-wen), a bartender at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, Singapore. It was initially called the gin sling.

What's the difference between a Tom Collins and a gin and tonic? ›

What's the difference between a Tom Collins and a gin and tonic? A Gin and Tonic combines gin and tonic water. A Tom Collins combines gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, and club soda. Both drinks are gin-based, but a gin and tonic is more tart, whereas a Tom Collins falls on the sweeter end of the drinks spectrum.

Why is it called a Tom Collins? ›

One origin story holds that the drink was originally called the John Collins, after a bartender that may have invented it. This story claims that the name eventually evolved because the concoction was typically made with Old Tom gin, so drinkers eventually began calling the drink Tom Collins rather than John Collins.

What is the famous Singapore Sling? ›

The Singapore Sling, widely regarded as the national drink, was first created in 1915 by Raffles bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. Primarily a gin-based co*cktail, the Singapore Sling also contains pineapple juice, lime juice, curaçao and Bénédictine. Giving it the pretty pink hue are grenadine and cherry liqueur.

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