Perfect Tom Collins Recipe
How to make a Tom Collins cocktail from scratch without sugary mixes. This classic gin cocktail is super simple to make and is incredibly refreshing.
Think of a Tom Collins cocktail as a sparkling gin lemonade. It’s traditionally served in a tall glass (a highball) and has the perfect balance of tart, sweet, sour, and fizz. It’s easy and one of my favorite cocktails on Inspired Taste with our easy gin fizz as a solid runner up!
The Tom Collins also has the bonus of a maraschino cherry, which apparently wasn’t the traditional garnish when it was created but has become ubiquitous with the cocktail. I can’t say I’m mad about it, but if you prefer to leave out the cherry, there are no official rules, so garnish your Tom Collins however you like!
Key Ingredients
- Gin: A classic Tom Collins is traditionally made with Old Tom gin, which has a slightly sweeter, more botanical flavor. London dry gin is also excellent with its clean and crisp taste. Ultimately, the best gin for your Tom Collins is the one you enjoy most!
- Lemon: Fresh lemon juice really makes this cocktail taste amazing. You can also use the lemon for garnishing when serving.
- Simple Syrup: You need a little sweetness to balance the lemon juice and gin, so I use homemade simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water, heated until dissolved). You can also use a bit of maple syrup or honey, but keep in mind that these will add their own flare to the drink (not a bad thing, though).
- Club Soda: Use what you love. Club soda, sparkling water, or seltzer water are all fine for this cocktail.
- Garnish: A classic garnish is a lemon slice or wedge. I also love one or two maraschino cherries!
Perfect Tom Collins
We both love the Tom Collins. It’s easy to make, and thanks to the lemon juice, it’s really refreshing. Take a look at the recipe below for our recommendations on what gin to use.
1 Cocktail
You Will Need
2 ounces gin
1 ounce fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 to 3/4 ounce simple syrup
Club soda or sparkling water
Lemon or orange slices, for garnish
Maraschino cherries, for garnish
Directions
1Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold, 10 to 15 seconds.
2Strain into a highball or tall glass filled with ice.
3Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon or orange slice and a cherry (or two).
Adam and Joanne’s Tips
- Gin: A classic Tom Collins is traditionally made with Old Tom gin. London dry gin is also excellent with its clean and crisp flavor. Ultimately, the best gin for your Tom Collins is the one you enjoy most!
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.
Nutrition Per Serving
Serving Size
1 cocktail
/
Calories
171
/
Total Fat
0.1g
/
Saturated Fat
0g
/
Cholesterol
0 mg
/
Sodium
7.3mg
/
Carbohydrate
11.1g
/
Dietary Fiber
0.2g
/
Total Sugars
9.7g
/
Protein
0.1g
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