Tom Collins
A refreshing gin highball combining lemon, sugar and sparkling soda. Bright, crisp and lightly sweet, with botanical gin character and a long, refreshing finish.
Tom Collins Recipe
- Gin 50 ml
- Lemon juice 25 ml
- Cane sugar syrup 15 ml
- Soda water 50 ml
- Fresh lemon 1 slice, optional
- Ice 200 g, optional
Make it properly
- Add gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup to a highball glass.
- Fill the glass generously with ice and stir briefly.
- Top with soda water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lemon slice, if desired.
WHAT MAKES A GREAT TOM COLLINS?
The Tom Collins is built around a simple balance of gin, citrus, sweetness and carbonation. Gin provides the botanical character, lemon adds fresh acidity and sugar syrup softens the citrus. Soda water lengthens the drink and gives it a crisp, sparkling finish. The result should be refreshing and bright, without becoming too sweet or losing the character of the gin.
Drinkero choices:
Tanqueray London Dry Gin · Alnatura Lemon Juice · MONIN Pure Cane Sugar Syrup · Fever-Tree Premium Soda Water
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TOM COLLINS: RECIPE, INGREDIENTS & TIPS
A practical guide to making a classic Tom Collins, from choosing the right gin to balancing lemon, sugar and soda for a crisp, refreshing highball.
THE STORY OF THE TOM COLLINS
The Tom Collins became popular in the 19th century and developed into one of the best-known classic gin highballs. Built around gin, lemon, sugar and sparkling water, it belongs to the Collins family of long, refreshing drinks.
Its enduring appeal comes from its simplicity: botanical gin and fresh citrus are balanced with sweetness, then lengthened with soda water for a light, sparkling finish.
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR A TOM COLLINS
A classic London Dry Gin works particularly well because its botanical and juniper character remains present after adding citrus and soda. Drinkero recommends Tanqueray London Dry Gin.
Lemon provides the bright acidity, while MONIN Pure Cane Sugar Syrup balances the citrus without overpowering the gin. Finish with Fever-Tree Premium Soda Water for clean carbonation and a crisp, refreshing highball.
HOW TO MAKE A REFRESHING TOM COLLINS
Add the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup to a highball glass. Fill generously with ice and stir briefly to combine and chill the ingredients.
Top with soda water and stir gently so you retain as much carbonation as possible. The finished Tom Collins should be cold, sparkling and citrus-forward, while still allowing the botanical character of the gin to come through.
Questions about the Tom Collins
What is a Tom Collins made from?
A classic Tom Collins combines gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water. Drinkero's recipe uses 50 ml gin, 25 ml lemon juice, 15 ml sugar syrup and 50 ml soda water.
What is the best gin for a Tom Collins?
A London Dry Gin is an excellent choice because its botanical character stands up well to lemon and soda. Drinkero recommends Tanqueray London Dry Gin.
What is the difference between a Tom Collins and a Gin & Tonic?
A Tom Collins combines gin with lemon, sugar and soda water, giving it a fresh sweet-and-sour profile. A Gin & Tonic uses tonic water, which adds its characteristic bitterness.
Does a Tom Collins need soda water?
Yes. Soda water is a defining part of the Tom Collins, lengthening the cocktail and providing its light, sparkling finish.
Does a Tom Collins need a garnish?
No. A garnish is optional. Drinkero uses a fresh lemon slice when desired for extra citrus aroma and presentation.
How do I make Tom Collins cocktails for a group?
Choose 6, 12, 24 or 48 Tom Collins cocktails in the Drinkero Cocktail Kit Builder. Drinkero calculates the gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, soda water and other quantities you need.