Tom Collins
Gin, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup shaken with ice, strained into a tall glass and topped with soda water. Long, cool and lemony.
How to Make Tom Collins
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Put the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup in a cocktail shaker with a handful of ice and shake hard for 10 seconds, until the outside is frosted.
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Strain into a tall Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
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Top with the soda water and stir once, gently.
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Garnish with the lemon wheel and cherry and serve with a straw.
Tips for Making Tom Collins
- Use fresh lemon juice. The drink is mostly lemon and gin, and bottled juice makes it taste flat and metallic.
- Add the soda last and stir only once. It keeps the bubbles, and stirring hard knocks out the fizz.
- Use a tall glass full of ice. It keeps the drink cold and slows the dilution, and it looks right.
What to Serve with Tom Collins
- Smoked salmon canapés
- Cucumber sandwiches
- Salted almonds
Storing & Reheating Tom Collins
Best made and drunk at once. The gin, lemon and syrup can be mixed ahead and kept in the fridge for a day. Add the soda when serving.
Tom Collins FAQ: Common Questions
How long does Tom Collins take to make?
About 5 minutes in total — 5 minutes of preparation and of cooking. The recipe serves 1.
What are the key tips for making Tom Collins?
Use fresh lemon juice. The drink is mostly lemon and gin, and bottled juice makes it taste flat and metallic. Add the soda last and stir only once. It keeps the bubbles, and stirring hard knocks out the fizz. Use a tall glass full of ice. It keeps the drink cold and slows the dilution, and it looks right.
What should I serve with Tom Collins?
Smoked salmon canapés; Cucumber sandwiches; Salted almonds.
Is Tom Collins suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb and keto. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Tom Collins?
About 173 kcal per serving, with 0 g protein, 10 g carbohydrate and 0 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Tom Collins Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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