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Joel Hauer, Founder & whisky sommelier 27 May 2021 5 min read
Another late 1800s invention, the Tom Collins is one of the most classic gin cocktails you will come across. A delicious and complex tasting drink doesn’t need to be difficult to make, and the Tom Collins is the perfect example of that. The recipe that we know today was documented in 1882 and calls for Old Tom Gin, a slightly sweetened style that has since fallen out of favour due to improved distillation methods and a population with a drier palate. The Tom Collins works perfectly well either traditionally with Old Tom Gin or a contemporary style with London Dry Gin.
This cocktail is named after a famous hoax. In 1874 it was rumoured that Tom Collins was a boisterous and critical man who used to go to all the local taverns and slander people. If you were taken by the hoax and told that Tom Collins had been bad-mouthing you when you went on a search to find this “Tom Collins” finally you would end up at the bar, and upon asking for Tom Collins, you would be presented with this sour cocktail instead!
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Ingredients60ml Gin (originally Old Tom)20ml Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)20ml Sugar syrup (1 part sugar : 1 part water)Splash Soda water (approx. 60ml-90ml)
Garnish Lemon peel
Ice Cubes
Glass Highball glass
Equipment Checklist
Hawthorne Strainer Shaker
Fine Strainer
Recommended Gins
Herno Old Tom Gin
Instructions
1. Add all your ingredients (except soda water) to the shaker.
3. Fill shaker to the brim with cubes of ice.
4. Shake hard for 30 seconds.
5. Fine strain into a highball glass over ice.
6. Add a splash of soda
7. Garnish with a long lemon peel.
Bartender’s Top Tips
Flavoured gins can work exceptionally well in a Tom Collins Just make sure if it has some sweetness to reduce the amount of sugar syrup you add (to taste).
Remember to chill your glass in the freezer for 5 minutes before you fill it, to keep your drink colder and fresher for longer.
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