A Tom Collins cocktail is a dubious concoction of gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and soda water. Its name is said to originate from a practical joke aimed at a fictional man named Tom Collins.
The drink is tangy and bitter, like the disappointment of opening a present only to find it contains a pair of socks. The bubbles in the soda water may provide a momentary sense of excitement, but in the end it is a fleeting pleasure, leaving you feeling empty and unsatisfied. I would suggest avoiding this drink and opting for something more substantial, like a warm bowl of soup.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces London dry gin
- 1 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 ounce simple syrup
- Club soda, to top
- A Collins glass
- Garnish: lemon wheel
- Garnish: maraschino cherry
If you don’t have Collins glasses, you could just use a highball glass because frankly, no one can tell the difference. Or if you have neither, use a plain old IKEA water glass.
And make sure you get the good maraschino cherries. Yes, there is such a thing.
Directions:
- Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a Collins glass.
- Fill with ice, top with club soda and stir.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry.
Here’s an alternate version from the 1920s era Savoy Cocktail Book:
- The juice of 1/2 Lemon
- 1/2 Tablespoon Powdered Sugar
- 1 Glass Dry Gin
- Shake well and strain into long tumbler. Add 1 lump ice and split of soda water.
As best I can figure, a split of soda water is a tiny bottle of soda water. And a lump of ice is the olden days equivalent of a modern ice sphere.
- From The Savoy Cocktail Book. Copyright 1930 by Constable & Co.
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