Tom Collins Recipe

Master this homemade Tom Collins, the perfect easy gin cocktail recipe that balances bright lemon, a touch of sweetness, and refreshing soda water. Learn how to make the best classic Tom Collins with simple techniques for a professional-quality craft cocktail that's refreshingly timeless.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

Serves:

1 cocktail

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>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size:

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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>

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>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Tom Collins?

A classic Tom Collins requires London Dry gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup, and soda water. It's garnished with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry, then served over ice in a tall Collins glass for that signature refreshing fizz.

How to make Tom Collins at home?

Learn how to make Tom Collins by shaking 60ml gin with 30ml fresh lemon juice and 15ml sugar syrup, then straining into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top with 120ml soda water, stir gently, and garnish with lemon and cherry. The key is using fresh ingredients and pouring soda water slowly to maintain effervescence.

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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