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The History of the Tom Collins

At its core, the Tom Collins is a classic gin sour cocktail that’s lightened with soda water, transforming it into a spritz-style drink.

A Collins, in general, is a sour-style drink made with a spirit, sugar, and citrus, served in a tall glass over ice and topped with soda water – essentially a boozy sparkling lemonade.

The exact origins of the Tom Collins are debated. Drinks historian David Wondrich suggests it likely evolved from the gin punches that were popular in the early 19th century. One common tale credits John Collins, a bartender at Limmer’s Hotel in London, with popularising the drink. Whether Collins invented it or simply brought it to a wider audience remains unclear. Early versions of the cocktail were often made with genever or Old Tom gin, which eventually led to the name “Tom Collins” replacing “John Collins” in association with the drink.

With just a handful of ingredients and a few simple steps, you can whip up this refreshing drink in minutes.

Ingredients

  • 50ml gin
  • 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 15ml simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water)
  • Soda water
  • Ice
  • Lemon wheel or wedge
  • Maraschino cherry (optional)

Method

  1. In a tall glass or Collins glass, combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
  2. Fill the glass with ice to chill the drink.
  3. Gently pour soda water over the mixture to fill the glass, stirring lightly to combine.
  4. Finish with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry.

Variations on the Tom Collins

  • Swap gin for vodka for a smoother version.
  • Use tequila as the base spirit.
  • Substitute bourbon for gin to create a warmer cocktail.

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I'm an experienced writer, sub-editor, and media & public relations specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the media industry – across digital, print, TV, and radio. I earned a diploma in Journalism and Print Media from leading institution, Damelin College, with distinctions (Journalism And Print Media, Media Studies, Technical English And Communications, South African Studies, African & International Studies, Technology in Journalism, Journalism II & Practical Journalism). I also hold a qualification in Investigative Journalism from Print Media SA, First Aid Training from St John’s Ambulance, as well as certificates in Learning to Write Marketing Copy, Planning a Career in User Experience, and Writing a Compelling Blog Post.

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