Tom Collins
Classic gin, lemon, sugar and soda highball—effervescent, citrusy, and named for its Old Tom gin roots.
15%
ABV
156
Calories
Collins
Glass
Flavor Profile
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
Strain into a collins glass filled with ice
Top with soda water
Garnish with lemon wheel and cherry
Glassware
Served over ice in a collins glass
Garnish
Fresh lemon wheel
Cherry on pick
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Shake briefly to chill before topping with soda
Use large, cold ice cubes to keep it spritzy
A short barspoon of simple syrup can adjust sweetness on the fly
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Tom Collins.
John Collins
The bourbon take on the 19th‑century gin punch from Limmer's Old House—spirit, lemon, sugar and sparkling water built tall and fizzy.
Vodka Collins (Joe Collins)
A crystalline, effervescent highball representing the mid-20th century ascendance of vodka, offering a cleaner, more neutral canvas than the gin-based Tom Collins.
Ron Collins
A deceptively simple and profoundly refreshing cocktail that marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Collins family of drinks. It transforms the gin-based Tom Collins into a distinctly Caribbean icon with Cuban-style rum.
Juan Collins
Tequila Collins—blanco tequila, lemon, and sugar lengthened with soda over ice.
Brandy Collins
Brandy, lemon, and sugar lengthened with sparkling soda—an elegant, effervescent Collins variation.
History & Heritage
“The Collins lineage started with the Genever-based John Collins in 19th‑century London. As sweeter Old Tom gin rose in popularity, the drink morphed into the Tom Collins, which exploded in the 1870s during the "Tom Collins Hoax" newspaper prank. Modern versions typically use London Dry gin but retain the same refreshing formula of gin, lemon, sugar, and soda.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Cucumber Collins
A garden Collins—gin, lemon, and syrup shaken with muddled cucumber and lengthened with soda.
Bramble
Dick Bradsell's 1980s London creation layers dry gin, fresh citrus and rich blackberry liqueur over a mound of crushed ice for a tart, jammy refresher.
Brandy Collins
Brandy, lemon, and sugar lengthened with sparkling soda—an elegant, effervescent Collins variation.