Smooth and refreshing, this Tom Collins co*cktail is the perfect go-to for hot summer evenings relaxing on the porch or pool side. It’s a sophisticated classic drink, but made with just 4 ingredients, you can whip it up in minutes anytime.
More co*cktails ideal for summer sipping are a long island iced tea and a mojito!
Easy Tom Collins co*cktail Recipe
I’m not a huge gin drinker, but I do love a Tom Collins. The flavor is refreshing, with citrus undertones, and it honestly tastes a bit like lemonade. Even better, it’s made with just 4 ingredients. While I love my frilly co*cktails with extra ingredients, there are just some moments that call for something quick and easy. It’s wonderful for enjoying by the pool on a hot summer night and great for dinner parties.
What is a Tom Collins?
A Tom Collins is a classic gin co*cktail made with dry gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. It’s shaken then served over ice, before being topped off with a splash of club soda. It tastes a lot like adult lemonade, just with a boozy twist (and it’s not necessarily sweet unless you make it so).
It’s very similar to a gin fizz, which is simply shaken and served without ice, and if you love a gin and tonic, you’ll probably love this too!
Ingredients Needed
This gin co*cktail is made with just 4 ingredients, plus a cherry garnish. How easy is that?!
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Gin – See below for my recommendations.
- Lemon juice – Use freshly squeezed if possible.
- Simple syrup – You can find simple syrup at the liquor store. If you want to make it yourself, you can bring equal parts of water and sugar to a boil just till the sugar has dissolved.
- Club soda – Adds a bit of fizz to the drink and balances out the gin.
- Garnishes – I like to garnish my co*cktail with a lemon slice and co*cktail cherry.
What’s the Best Gin for a Tom Collins?
You can use any gin you like for a Tom Collins but I prefer a dryer gin like Bombay, Beefeater, or Tanqueray.
Recipe Variations
As with any classic co*cktail, there are a few popular variations on the original gin co*cktail.
- John Collins. Though John Collins was the original name for a Tom Collins, it is now the name for a Tom Collins made with whiskey instead of gin.
- Vodka Collins. As you may guess, a Vodka Collins is simply a Tom Collins made with vodka instead of gin.
How to Make a Tom Collins
Making this gin co*cktail at home takes just a few seconds. All you need is a high ball glass and a co*cktail shaker.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Shake. Fill a co*cktail shaker with ice and add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Shake until chilled.
- Pour. Pour into a high ball glass over ice.
- Serve. Top with club soda, lemon, and cherry.
Tips & FAQs
Here are a few common questions and tips for making a Tom Collins co*cktail.
- What glass should a Tom Collins be served in? The Tom Collins glasses are just a highball glass. You can find them at most stores including online here.
- co*cktail cherries vs maraschino cherries. co*cktail cherries are normally cherries made in a natural process vs. the bright red artificial maraschinos. You can find them in the garnish section of a liquor store, or some grocery stores carry them with liquor items.
- Try using clear ice. For an ultra fancy co*cktail vibe, try using clear ice in your co*cktail instead of regular ice.
More Summer co*cktail Recipes:
- Alabama Slammer
- Blue Hawaiian
- Sex on the Beach Drink
- Dirty Shirley
- Tequila Sunrise
- Sea Breeze co*cktail
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full onTikTok,Facebook,Instagram,Pinterest, andYouTube!
Tom Collins
Smooth and refreshing, this Tom Collins co*cktail is the perfect go-to for hot summer evenings relaxing on the porch or pool side. It's a sophisticated classic drink, but made with just 4 ingredients, you can whip it up in minutes anytime.
Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
Total Time 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 1 drink
Ingredients
- 2 ounces dry gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice , freshly squeezed
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- 2 ounces club soda
- 1 lemon slice , for garnish
- 1 co*cktail cherry , for garnish
Instructions
Fill a high ball glass and co*cktail shaker with ice
Pour your gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into the co*cktail shaker. Place the lid on the shaker and shake until chilled. Pour it into the high ball glass.
Top with the club soda, lemon, and cherry.
Nutrition
Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 40mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 4IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutritional information given is an automatic calculation and can vary based on the exact products you use and any changes you make to the recipe. If these numbers are very important to you, I would recommend calculating them yourself.
Other Notes
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: best tom collins recipe, gin co*cktails, tom collins co*cktail
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