The Tom Collins looks as simple as lemonade, yet behind it lies a story of a London head waiter and a New York prank. It began as the “John Collins,” and true to its name today, Old Tom gin gave the drink its “Tom,” with a soft sweetness that rounds out every sip.
Fresh lemon brings bright acidity, a spoonful of sugar ties it together, and chilled soda lifts it into a tall, crisp cooler. The blueprint of every Collins, it is worth mixing tonight.
Recipe & How to Make It
Ingredients
Recipe no.174
- Old Tom gin — 2 oz (60ml)
- Lemon juice — 2/3 oz (20ml)
- Sugar — 1 tsp
- Soda — Full
- Lemon slice — 1
※ 1 tsp = One bar spoon.
※ Full = Fill to about 80–90% of the glass.
How to Make It
Chill the soda in advance.
Squeeze a lemon for fresh juice, and have one lemon slice ready.
Add the Old Tom gin, lemon juice, sugar and ice to the shaker.
Shake firmly, pour into the glass, then add ice.
Slowly top with soda so it doesn’t foam, then stir gently.
When mixing carbonated drinks, just stir 1–2 times and lift the ice up and down once to blend.
Finally, press the lemon slice into the glass with a bar spoon, and it’s ready.
・Technique ｜ Shake & Stir
・Glass ｜ Collins Glass / Tumbler Glass
・ABV ｜ About 12%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ Daytime / Before Dinner
Origin & Characteristics of the Tom Collins
Origin & History
The Tom Collins traces back to John Collins, head waiter at Limmer’s Old House, a hotel in London’s Mayfair, in the 19th century. His gin punch was first known simply as the “John Collins.”
Its name changed once bartenders began making it with Old Tom gin, a slightly sweet London style, and an 1869 recipe already calls for it. In 1874, a New York prank about a gossiping “Tom Collins” swept America, and the drink’s new name took hold soon after.
As Old Tom grew scarce in the 20th century, dry gin became the standard, yet Old Tom is back on shelves today. I’d always reach for it, because its soft sweetness is the drink’s true signature.
Flavor & Characteristics
The Tom Collins wins people over with a clean, easy-drinking balance of crisp gin, tart lemon and a touch of sugar. Light and casual, it suits beach days and garden parties alike.
In the glass, it’s pale and clear with a lemon slice. Bright lemon comes first, then gin’s botanicals and gentle bitterness, while soda keeps every sip lively.
With Old Tom gin, the sweetness feels rounder and softer. It’s the blueprint for the whole Collins family, and I’d call it the first cocktail every home bartender should master.
Tips, Twists, Food Pairings & Video
Tips, Twists & Food Pairings
Tips
- Common mistake: sugar that doesn’t dissolve — Granulated sugar dissolves slowly in cold liquid, leaving grit at the bottom and uneven sweetness. Shake firmly until it fully melts, or swap in 1/3 oz (10ml) of simple syrup.
- Always use fresh lemon juice — Freshly squeezed lemon gives a bright aroma and clean acidity that bottled juice can’t match. It’s what makes this simple drink taste truly crisp.
- Match the sugar to your gin — Old Tom gin is already slightly sweet, so 1 tsp of sugar is enough. With London dry gin, I’d add a little more to keep the classic balance.
Twists
- John Collins — Swap the Old Tom for genever, the Dutch gin used in the drink’s earliest days. Its malty, rich character turns the Collins into a deeper, more rounded drink.
- Elderflower Collins — Add 1/3 oz (10ml) of elderflower liqueur and cut back the sugar a little. Elderflower’s floral, lychee-like aroma pairs beautifully with gin and lemon.
Food Pairings
- Fish and chips — A London classic for a London-born cocktail. Lemon and soda cut through the crispy batter, just like a squeeze of lemon over the fish.
- Fresh oysters — The drink’s bright citrus acts like a lemon wedge on the half shell, while gin’s botanicals lift the oysters’ briny, mineral taste.
- Cucumber sandwiches — Cool cucumber echoes gin’s fresh botanicals, and the drink’s lemon and bubbles keep the creamy butter and soft bread light.
Recipe video
- Recipe video｜BAR.Channel Channel Home
Tom Collins Variations
- Grapefruit Collins — A Tom Collins with grapefruit liqueur added.
- Vodka Collins — Swaps the gin for vodka.
- Rum Collins — Swaps the gin for rum.
- Ruben Collins — Swaps the gin for tequila.
- John Collins — Swaps the gin for whiskey.
- Sandy Collins — Swaps the gin for Scotch whisky.
- Michael Collins — Swaps the gin for Irish whiskey.
- Colonel Collins — Swaps the gin for bourbon.
- Captain Collins — Swaps the gin for Canadian whisky.
- Pierre Collins — Swaps the gin for brandy.
