A Tom Collins is a classic cocktail that’s easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Born from Gilded Age New York glamour, the cocktail is a favourite among many for its simplicity, elegance and of course, tastiness! Learn our secret to the perfect serve with the best Tom Collins recipe below. 

What is a Tom Collins?

A Tom Collins cocktail is traditionally made with gin, sugar syrup and lemon carbonated water. It has a subtle, citrusy taste and is often served in a highball glass with a slice of lemon. 

The Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874

The refreshing taste isn’t the only thing we love about a Tom Collins. We also love its charming history - particularly the Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874.

A popular joke in 1800s’ New York CIty was to start up a conversation about Tom Collins and convince the listener that he was a real person. The joker would proceed to say that Mr. Collins had been talking badly about the listener.

Once reeled up, the joker would point the listener in the direction of a nearby bar, explaining that they’d find Tom Collins there. The listener would then visit the bar to seek revenge, asking the bartender to show them Tom Collins.

Of course, the bartender would obey and present Tom Collins - the drink! To the joker’s pleasure, the listener would be fooled, and that’s how the great Tom Collins hoax spread around New York in 1874. 

Now, let’s find out how to make this famous cocktail.

The Best Tom Collins Recipe 

Serves 1

Ingredients

50ml Gin

15ml Sugar Syrup 

330ml DASH Lemon Sparkling Water

Slice of Pink Grapefruit to serve

Handful of Ice

Method 

1. Pour your gin, sugar syrup and lemon sparkling water over a glass of ice and stir thoroughly to mix.

2. Garnish your drink with a generous slice of pink grapefruit. This is our secret to the best Tom Collins recipe, because it compliments the gin perfectly and brings out the citrus flavour of the lemon 

3 Tom Collins Twists 

- If you don’t like gin, feel free to swap to vodka for an equally refreshing flavour. This is known as a Vodka Collins.

- Spruce up your Collins by opting for a different flavour carbonated water. We recommend peach sparkling water for an extra fruity twist.

- For a healthier, sugar-free version, simply omit the sugar syrup. The lemon sparkling water means the drink is still equally as delicious!

If you’re looking for more delicious cocktail recipes, browse our easy mojito recipes and summer mocktail recipes.