The Tom Collins

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

A fizzy, lemony gin favorite, the Tom Collins is a refreshing, perfectly balanced cocktail.

If I’m being honest, the first time I heard of the cocktail named Tom Collins, tonight’s drink, it was while watching an episode of That ’70s Show when I was in college. The characters of Red and Kitty Forman, the long-suffering parents of teenage Eric, were having friends over and the cocktail that was being served was the Tom Collins. I had no idea what it was or what was in it. My assumption, as I lounged on the couch, was that the drink was something akin to a Long Island Iced Tea, a popular 1970s creation. Years later—many, many years in fact—I made myself a Tom Collins one sunny afternoon and pleasantly discovered it wasn’t what I expected.

It was the middle of summer, and it usually gets a little warm around that time of year in Los Angeles. I was playing around with different gin cocktails over one weekend, and came across a recipe for the Tom Collins… gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and club soda. It didn’t sound like what I had originally imagined, plus the truth of what was in it made my mouth water. I quickly mixed one up and reveled in the bubbles and bite of the citrus/gin combination. It was just sweet enough to give it a sparkling lemonade vibe, and I was soon finished with my first round. Halfway through my second, I had decided that this was one of my favorite cocktails.

In 1874, a hoax began going around in New York City, and to other U.S. metropolises as its notoriety spread. The prankster would come up to you and tell you that Tom Collins was talking all kinds of trash about you behind your back to everybody he knows. And then you might react with a “Wha?! Who is this Tom Collins and where is he so I can get in his face and give him a stern finger wag!” Then they’d say he’s in the bar around the corner. You storm in, asking the bartender to point you in the direction of this rapscallion named Tom Collins. The barkeep would shrug, having no idea who or what you’re talking about, informing you that you got both of your legs pulled. Har-dee-har-har!

The Tom Collins Hoax became so notorious that it started making headlines in newspapers all across the country. Songs were even written about it. By 1876, when the folks who had gotten fooled would rush into whatever bar they were directed to, bartenders began handing them tonight’s cocktail, saying here’s a Tom Collins. That same year the recipe first appeared in print, in Jerry Thomas’ The Bartender’s Guide. What started as a joke soon became a classic tipple, although no one is entirely sure who exactly crafted either.

If you’ve ever enjoyed a Lemmy, a bottled fizzy lemonade-like beverage, you’ll love a Tom Collins.

What is the best Gin to use in a Tom Collins?

When making this cocktail, or any gin-based drink, the go-to spirit is a London Dry. Juniper-forward, citrusy and, like the name suggests, dry, this particular style of gin is the perfect base for any number of recipes, including tonight’s. There are other varieties of gins you can use that will give your Collins a different flavor, for example, a Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret infused with stone fruit will taste a little sweeter, as will the old-timey Old Tom gin. Most gins will mix nicely into this recipe, so try out whatever strikes your fancy.

What glassware and garnish is used?

When making a Tom Collins, it’s only proper to serve it in a tall, ice-filled collins glass. Once you’ve poured the club soda in, garnish with a lemon wheel and/or a maraschino cherry.

Why do folks call it a Tom Collins?

Although the origin story is muddled, one version recounts that the drink was named after a bartender, John Collins. It became the Tom Collins because it was made using Old Tom gin. Others say it may be connected to the Tom Collins hoax in New York City, which took place close to the drink’s first mention in print.

Similar Cocktails to the Tom Collins

The components of a Tom Collins are commonly used in a number of cocktails. Lemon juice, simple syrup and club soda alone are often mixed with whatever your favorite spirit may be, in any number of combinations, for some memorable and distinct concoctions. Try some of these recipes out with your Tom Collins ingredients and see what you like.

• Classic French 75 – A fizzy, sweet and sour delight that mixes gin with fresh lemon juice, sugar, and Champagne. Elegant, refreshing and strong.
• Gin Fizz – Add an egg white to your gin, lemon juice and sugar, then top with club soda for one of the smoothest tipples you’ll ever have.
• Gin Rickey – Gin, lime juice and club soda combine to make a tart and thirst-quenching treat.
• Gin Sour – Omit the club soda from your Tom Collins or Gin Fizz, and you have yourself a delicious and classic Gin Sour.