Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe & Ingredients (with Easy Step-by-Step Video) 

You cant mention classic cocktails without bringing up the Tom Collins. The Tom Collins Cocktail is a refreshing drink perfect for the summer.

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Looking for the perfect summer sipper? The Tom Collins isn’t just a cocktail—it’s basically sunshine in a glass! This fizzy, lemony legend has been refreshing folks since before your great-grandparents were going to speakeasies. And once you master this classic, you’ll never look at gin the same way again! 🍋✨

The Tom Collins is typically served in a collins glass. A collins glass is a narrow, cylindrical glass tumbler perfect for iced drinks. If you do not have a collins glass handy, you can also use a regular highball glass.

Tom collins recipe

Tom Collins Recipe

Recipe by Julian Solorzano
5.0 from 1 vote

The Tom Collins cocktail is composed of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. This “gin and sparkling lemonade” drink, was first written in 1876 by Jerry Thomas, a pioneer in American mixology. It is traditionally served in a Collins glass or highball glass over ice.

Course: Highball Glass, Collins GlassCuisine: Classic CocktailDifficulty: Easy
Servings

1

servings
Calories

180

kcal
Total time

2

minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 Ounces Old Tom Gin (or London Dry Gin)

  • 1 Ounce Fresh lemon juice

  • 0.75 Ounces Simple syrup

  • 3 Ounces Club soda

  • 1 Piece Orange slice

  • 1 Piece Lemon wheel

  • 1 Piece Maraschino cherry

Directions

  • Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.
  • Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds.
  • Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
  • Top with club soda.
  • Gently stir to combine.
  • Garnish with orange slice, lemon wheel, and maraschino cherry.

Equipment

Recipe Video

Notes

  • For an authentic taste, seek out Old Tom Gin; it’s slightly sweeter than London Dry.
  • Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice; bottled will ruin the drink.
  • Add soda water last and don’t overstir, or you’ll lose the bubbles.

The Best Ingredients For a Tom Collins

  • Gin: Ransom Old Tom ($35) is perfect for authenticity, but Hayman’s Old Tom ($30) works beautifully. For London Dry, try Beefeater ($22) or Plymouth ($30).
  • Lemon Juice: Fresh only! One medium lemon typically yields 1oz juice.
  • Simple Syrup: Make your own 1:1 ratio, or use Monin Pure Cane.
  • Club Soda: Fever-Tree or Q Club Soda for premium bubbles.
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Fun Fact

The International Bartenders Association no longer publishes an official recipe.

Why I Like It

The Tom Collins is summer sophistication in a glass! It’s like adult lemonade with just the right amount of fizz and botanical kick. Nothing beats that first sip on a hot day—the bubbles dance with the bright citrus while the gin adds that perfect herbal note. The fizzles are super fun too.

It’s the kind of drink that makes you want to put on your Sunday best and lounge on a porch somewhere fancy. Yet it’s simple enough to whip up for any occasion!

A Brief History of the Tom Collins 🍸

The origins of Tom Collins are unknown. This inability to provide a definitive origin sparked a debate between Britain and the United States, with both sides claiming the drink. 

H.L Mencken stated in the 1920s that the cocktail was unmistakably American since the English had no inventiveness when it comes to naming things. As a result, if a recipe calls for whiskey and soda, it is referred to as a whiskey and soda. So, no English person would have named a cocktail “Tom Collins.”

According to some, the Tom Collins was inspired by a joke told in New York in 1874. A group of buddies started telling people at local pubs that a man named Tom Collins was wandering around town spreading lies about them.

According to some, the Tom Collins was inspired by a joke told in New York in 1874. A group of buddies started telling people at local pubs that a man named Tom Collins was wandering around town spreading lies about them.

As a result, many people began to go from bar to bar in search of the slanderer. The joke had been repeated before, but it had reached epic proportions that year. As a result, bartenders were inspired to create the Tom Collins cocktail to offer to those who entered the room in search of the elusive figure.

Final Thoughts 🎉

The Tom Collins is a true classic cocktail that proves sometimes the simplest combinations are the best. At approximately 180 calories, it’s a relatively light cocktail that delivers maximum refreshment. So, what do you think of Tom Collins? Love it? Hate it? What would you rate it? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Written by Jedain Arron, Founder and writer

Hey there! 👋 I'm Jedain, a 30-something-year-old Cocktail enthusiast from Columbus, Ohio. I've fallen head over heels for the art of crafting cocktails, with a particular passion for anything whiskey-based. (Bourbon has captured my heart).

This blog documents my adventures in mixology (shakers, stirrers, and all). Follow along as I explore classic and contemporary cocktail recipes, share my favorite Bourbon discoveries, and chronicle my journey through the world of craft spirits and cocktail creation.

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Edited by Nick Eggert, Editor

Nick is our staff editor and co-founder. He has a passion for writing, editing, and website development. His expertise lies in shaping content with precision and managing digital spaces with a keen eye for detail. When not working on the site, you can find him sipping Bourbon at the karaoke bar.

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