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Tom Collins Recipe

Tom Collins Recipe

By What’s Baking

A refreshing, effervescent gin highball with bright citrus notes, delicate sweetness, and sparkling fizz that creates the perfect balance of tart and refreshing.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Prep Time:
5 mins
Cook Time:
Serves:
1 cocktail
A tall, slender Collins glass showcases layers of crystal-clear gin mingling with bubbling soda water, catching the light to reveal delicate streams of effervescence rising upward. Slices of fresh lemon perch on the rim alongside a vibrant maraschino cherry, providing striking color contrast against the pale straw-colored cocktail. Ice cubes glisten with condensation under soft natural light, while tiny droplets form on the exterior of the glass, suggesting refreshing coldness. The backdrop features polished bar tools and perhaps a glimpse of fresh lemons, emphasizing the cocktail's fresh, classic appeal.

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"><li class="ingredients-single-item">60ml gin (London Dry style recommended)</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">30ml fresh lemon juice</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">15ml sugar syrup</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml soda water</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 lemon slice for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">1 maraschino cherry for garnish</li><li class="ingredients-single-item">Ice cubes</li></ul>

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"><li class="equipment-single-item">Collins glass</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Cocktail shaker</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Bar spoon</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Jigger or measuring tool</li><li class="equipment-single-item">Strainer</li></ul>
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Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4>Fill your Collins glass with ice to chill it while you prepare the cocktail. This pre-chilling step ensures your drink stays colder longer and prevents premature dilution.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4>Empty the ice from your glass (keeping the chilled glass), and fill a cocktail shaker with fresh ice.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4>Add 60ml of gin, 30ml of fresh lemon juice, and 15ml of sugar syrup to your shaker. Fresh lemon juice is crucial here – bottled varieties lack the bright, zesty character that defines a proper Tom Collins.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4>Shake vigorously for 10-12 seconds. This brief shake properly chills the mixture without over-diluting it, and helps integrate the sugar syrup evenly with the more acidic lemon juice.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4>Fill your chilled Collins glass with fresh ice – ideally large cubes that melt slowly to maintain the cocktail's integrity.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4>Strain the shaken mixture into your ice-filled Collins glass, leaving enough room for the soda water.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4>Slowly pour 120ml of chilled soda water into the glass. Pour it gently over the back of a bar spoon to preserve the carbonation – you want those refreshing bubbles to last.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4>Give the cocktail a gentle stir with your bar spoon, just enough to combine the ingredients without releasing too much carbonation.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4>Garnish with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry. The lemon enhances the aroma while the cherry adds a complementary sweetness and classic visual appeal.</li><li class="MethodStepper"><h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4>Serve immediately while the drink is perfectly chilled and the carbonation is at its liveliest. A Tom Collins is all about that refreshing effervescence!</li></ol>

Chef’s Notes

A few helpful details for making this recipe.

What's the best gin to use for this classic highball cocktail?

London Dry gin is ideal for this cocktail as its juniper-forward profile stands up well to the lemon and soda. Quality brands like Tanqueray, Beefeater, or Bombay Sapphire work excellently. For a modern twist, try a citrus-forward gin to enhance the lemon notes.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this refreshing lemon cocktail?

Absolutely! Create a "Tom Collins Mocktail" by replacing the gin with 60ml of cold water mixed with 5-10 drops of non-alcoholic juniper essence or alcohol-free gin alternative. Follow the same recipe otherwise, maintaining the bright lemon flavour and effervescent character.

How is a Tom Collins different from a Gin Fizz?

While both cocktails use gin, lemon, sugar and soda, a Tom Collins is served in a taller glass with more ice and soda water, creating a more diluted, refreshing drink. A Gin Fizz is typically shaken with egg white for a frothy texture and served in a shorter glass.

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