📝 About This Recipe
Dating back to the 19th century, the Tom Collins is the ultimate sophisticated cooler, famously born from a legendary London hoax and perfected in the grand bars of New York. This cocktail is a sublime architecture of crisp London Dry gin, bright citrus acidity, and a delicate sweetness, all elongated by the effervescence of premium soda water. It is more than just a spiked lemonade; it is a timeless, sparkling symphony of botanical flavors that serves as the gold standard for summer mixology.
🥗 Ingredients
The Spirit Base
- 2 ounces London Dry Gin (high-quality, juniper-forward brand)
- 1/2 ounce Old Tom Gin (optional for a traditional, slightly sweeter profile)
The Citrus & Sweetener
- 1 ounce Fresh Lemon Juice (freshly squeezed and double-strained)
- 1/2 ounce Rich Simple Syrup (2:1 sugar to water ratio for better mouthfeel)
The Effervescence
- 3-4 ounces Chilled Club Soda (highly carbonated, from a fresh bottle)
Ice & Garnish
- 2 cups Large Ice Cubes (for shaking)
- 1 piece Clear Ice Spears (or large cubes for the glass)
- 1 slice Lemon Wheel (cut to 1/4 inch thickness)
- 1 piece Luxardo Maraschino Cherry (authentic stem-on cherry)
- 1 piece Fresh Mint Sprig (optional for aromatic lift)
👨🍳 Instructions
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1
Begin by chilling your Collins glass (a tall, narrow 12-ounce chimney glass) in the freezer for at least 10 minutes prior to assembly.
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2
Prepare your citrus by juicing fresh, room-temperature lemons; roll them on the counter first to break the membranes for maximum yield.
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3
Double-strain the lemon juice through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all pulp and seeds, ensuring a crystal-clear cocktail.
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4
Measure exactly 2 ounces of London Dry gin and pour it into a stainless steel cocktail shaker.
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5
Add 1 ounce of the strained lemon juice and 1/2 ounce of rich simple syrup to the shaker.
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6
Fill the shaker 3/4 full with large, solid ice cubes. Avoid using crushed ice here as it will over-dilute the base.
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7
Secure the lid and shake vigorously for exactly 10-12 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosted and painfully cold.
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8
Remove your chilled glass from the freezer and fill it with fresh, high-quality ice (ideally a single long ice spear).
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9
Strain the shaken mixture into the glass using a Hawthorne strainer, leaving about 2 inches of room at the top.
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10
Gently pour the chilled club soda over the back of a bar spoon into the glass to preserve the carbonation.
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11
Give the drink one single, gentle 'lift' with the bar spoon—do not stir aggressively or you will lose the bubbles.
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12
Garnish by placing the lemon wheel against the inside of the glass and dropping the cherry on top.
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13
Serve immediately while the effervescence is at its peak and the glass is still frosted.
💡 Chef's Tips
Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice; bottled juice has a metallic tang that ruins the botanical balance. For a true 'Tom' Collins, try using Old Tom Gin which is slightly sweeter and more viscous than London Dry. Chill your club soda to near freezing before adding it to ensure the ice doesn't melt instantly upon contact. Use a 2:1 sugar-to-water ratio for your simple syrup to give the drink a silky, luxurious mouthfeel without making it cloying. If the drink tastes too tart, add syrup in 1/4 ounce increments; the balance depends heavily on the acidity of your specific lemons.
🍽️ Serving Suggestions
Pair with salty appetizers like truffle fries or Marcona almonds to contrast the bright acidity. Excellent alongside a classic Shrimp Cocktail with spicy horseradish sauce. Serves as a perfect palate cleanser between courses of a heavy, buttery meal. Pairs beautifully with fresh oysters on the half shell. Enjoy on a sun-drenched patio with a light Niçoise salad.