CLASSIC COCKTAIL · 1850–1889
Tom Collins
A tall, sparkling gin classic balanced with bright lemon and a touch of sugar.
1860sHistorical classicResearched
The Collins grew out of the gin punch served at Limmer’s Hotel on Conduit Street, London, and its creation is credited to John (or possibly Jim) Collins, the hotel’s head waiter. The Tom Collins is the version made with Old Tom gin; a rival New York story blames the 1874 “Great Tom Collins Hoax” for the name. Harry Johnson printed recipes for both the Tom and John Collins in 1882.
THE RECIPESweet, sour and refreshing
Ingredients
- Old Tom Gin45 ml
- Lemon Juice25 ml
- Sugar Syrup10 ml
- Soda Water50 ml
Method
Shaker all ingredients except the soda with ice. Pour into a tall tumbler over ice, top with soda and garnish with lemon peel.
Highball · ice cubes · lemon peel