Hey, Today, I’m thrilled to share one of my all-time favorite cocktail recipes with you: the classic Tom Collins through Beyond the Bayou Blog. Now, let me take you back to a warm summer evening a few years ago. I was hosting a small gathering in my backyard, and everyone was in the mood for something refreshing to sip on. As I rummaged through my cocktail recipe book, I stumbled upon the Tom Collins recipe that my grandma used to make.
Memories of lazy afternoons spent at her house flooded back, and I knew I had to recreate that nostalgic drink for my friends. With a splash of gin, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, and a generous pour of soda water, I whipped up a batch of Tom Collins that transported us all back to those carefree days.
The zesty citrus flavor and bubbly effervescence were an instant hit, and ever since that evening, the Tom Collins along with Matcha Lime Fizz and Cortisol Cocktail has been a staple at our gatherings. So, grab your shaker and let’s mix up some memories together.
What is Tom Collins Recipe?
Tom Collins is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, sugar, and carbonated water. It’s a refreshing and tangy drink perfect for warm weather. To make it, you mix gin, lemon juice, and sugar syrup in a glass with ice, then top it off with soda water. The result is a bubbly, citrusy beverage with a hint of sweetness from the sugar syrup.
Some variations include adding a cherry or a slice of lemon for garnish. The drink is believed to have originated in the United States in the 19th century and has since become a popular choice at bars and parties worldwide. Its crisp taste and simple recipe make it a favorite among cocktail enthusiasts looking for a light and easy-to-make drink.
Overview: How to Make Tom Collins Recipe?
Making a Tom Collins is easy and requires just a few simple ingredients. First, gather your supplies: gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda water, ice, and optional garnishes like cherries or lemon slices. To start, fill a glass with ice cubes to chill it. Then, in a cocktail shaker, combine gin, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup. Shake the mixture well to combine the ingredients and chill the mixture. Once shaken, strain the mixture into your chilled glass filled with ice.
Top it off with soda water. Give it a gentle stir to mix everything together. You can garnish your Tom Collins with a cherry or lemon slice for a decorative touch. Now, your Tom Collins is ready to enjoy! Its citrusy, bubbly flavor makes it perfect for sipping on a hot day or enjoying at a social gathering with friends.
Classic Tom Collins Recipe
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Highball glass
- Bar spoon or stirring rod
- Soda siphon
Ingredients
- 2 � cups ice divided
- 2 fluid ounces gin
- � fluid ounce lemon juice
- � fluid ounce simple syrup
- 2 fluid ounces club soda
- 1 lemon wedge
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice to chill it.
- In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup.
- Shake the mixture vigorously to combine the ingredients and chill the mixture.
- Strain the mixture into the chilled highball glass filled with ice. Top off the glass with soda water.
- Give the drink a gentle stir to mix everything together.
- Optionally, garnish with a cherry or lemon slice for a decorative touch.
- Serve and enjoy your refreshing Tom Collins cocktail.
Notes
Time for the Tips!
- Shaking Technique: When shaking the cocktail in the shaker, ensure you shake it vigorously and for an adequate amount of time (around 10-15 seconds). This helps properly mix the ingredients and chill the drink.
- Straining: Strain the cocktail into the glass using a fine-mesh strainer or the built-in strainer of your cocktail shaker. This removes any ice chips or pulp from the lemon juice, resulting in a smoother texture.
- Carbonation: Adding soda water to the cocktail provides effervescence and lightens the drink. Be mindful not to overpour the soda water, as it can dilute the flavors. Start with a smaller amount and adjust according to your preference.
- Garnishes: Garnishing your Tom Collins with a cherry or lemon slice adds visual appeal and a hint of flavor. Ensure the garnish is fresh and complements the drink well.
- Presentation: Serve the Tom Collins in a clean, highball glass with plenty of ice. Pay attention to presentation by garnishing neatly and wiping any spills or drips from the glass.
Wanna Know What’s the difference between a Tom Collins and a Gin Fizz?
The main difference between a Tom Collins and a Gin Fizz lies in their preparation methods. Both cocktails share similar ingredients such as gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, but they are prepared differently. A Tom Collins is typically built directly in a glass filled with ice, allowing all the ingredients to mix together.
In contrast, a Gin Fizz is shaken with ice in a cocktail shaker and then strained into a glass without ice. This difference in preparation affects the texture and presentation of the drinks. The shaking process of the Gin Fizz creates a frothy and silky texture, while the Tom Collins remains crisp and effervescent due to the built-in-glass method. Despite these differences, both cocktails offer refreshing citrus flavors with a hint of sweetness and effervescence.
What to Serve With Tom Collins?
What to do with Leftover?
- Refrigerate for Later Use: If the cocktail mixture hasn’t been diluted with soda water yet, you can refrigerate it in an airtight container for a day or two. When you’re ready to enjoy another Tom Collins, simply shake the mixture again, pour it over ice, add soda water, and garnish as desired.
- Freeze into Ice Cubes: Pour the leftover cocktail mixture into ice cube trays and freeze it. These Tom Collins-flavored ice cubes can be used to chill your next batch of cocktails without diluting them.
- Create a Punch: If you have a larger quantity of leftover mixture, consider turning it into a punch by adding more gin and soda water to taste. Serve it in a punch bowl with additional ice and garnishes for a refreshing party drink.
- Experiment with Mocktails: Remove the alcohol from the leftover mixture and use it as a base for non-alcoholic mocktails. Mix it with sparkling water, lemonade, or other fruit juices for a refreshing and alcohol-free beverage option.
- Cooking and Baking: Use the leftover mixture as a marinade for chicken or fish dishes, or incorporate it into sauces or salad dressings for added flavor. You can also experiment with using it in baking recipes that call for citrus flavors, such as cakes or muffins.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Where did the Tom Collins cocktail originate?
A: The exact origins of the Tom Collins are debated, but it is believed to have originated in the United States, possibly in New York City, during the 19th century.
Q: Can I make a Tom Collins without gin?
A: While gin is a traditional base spirit for a Tom Collins, you can experiment with different spirits such as vodka or tequila to create variations of the cocktail.
Q: What are some variations of the Tom Collins cocktail?
A: Some popular variations include the John Collins (made with bourbon instead of gin) and the Vodka Collins (made with vodka instead of gin). You can also add different fruit juices or flavored syrups to create unique twists on the classic recipe.
