Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe

Gin: A distilled alcoholic drink made from grain and flavored with juniper berries and other botanicals.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed juice from lemons, providing a tart and tangy flavor.

Simple syrup: A sweet syrup made by dissolving sugar in water, used to balance the tartness of the lemon juice.

Soda water: Carbonated water that adds fizz and lightness to the cocktail.

Lemon slice: A slice of lemon used as a garnish to enhance the visual appeal and add a hint of citrus aroma.

Maraschino cherry: A sweet, preserved cherry used as a garnish to add a pop of color and a touch of sweetness.

When preparing a Tom Collins, ensure that the lemon juice is freshly squeezed for the best flavor. Pre-bottled lemon juice can have a different taste and may not provide the same bright, fresh citrus notes. Additionally, when shaking the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in the cocktail shaker, make sure to shake vigorously for at least 15 seconds. This helps to properly chill and dilute the mixture, ensuring a well-balanced cocktail. Finally, when topping with soda water, pour gently to maintain the carbonation, which adds a refreshing effervescence to the drink.

• gin - Substitute with vodka: Vodka provides a neutral flavor that allows the other ingredients to shine, similar to gin but without the botanical notes.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar tartness and acidity, though it will impart a slightly different citrus flavor.

• simple syrup - Substitute with agave syrup: Agave syrup is a natural sweetener that dissolves easily and provides a similar sweetness level to simple syrup.

• soda water - Substitute with tonic water: Tonic water adds a slight bitterness and effervescence, which can complement the other flavors in the cocktail.

• lemon slice - Substitute with lime slice: A lime slice offers a similar visual appeal and a complementary citrus aroma.

• maraschino cherry - Substitute with fresh cherry: A fresh cherry provides a more natural flavor and a similar visual garnish.

• To keep your Tom Collins cocktail fresh, store the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.
• If you want to prepare the cocktail in advance, mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup and store it in a sealed bottle. This mixture can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
• For longer storage, freeze the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup mixture in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer-safe bag. These cubes can be stored for up to 1 month.
• When ready to serve, simply place the frozen cubes in a highball glass, top with soda water, and garnish with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry.
• Always store soda water separately in the refrigerator and add it just before serving to maintain its fizz.
• Keep maraschino cherries in their original jar, tightly sealed, and store them in the refrigerator. They can last for several months.
• Store lemon slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days to ensure they remain fresh and vibrant for garnishing.

• First, ensure you have all the ingredients ready: gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, soda water, a slice of lemon, and a maraschino cherry.
• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
• Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
• Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
• Top with soda water and stir gently.
• Garnish with a slice of lemon and a maraschino cherry.

Note: Since a Tom Collins is a cocktail, it is not typically reheated. Instead, it is best enjoyed fresh.

• Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice to chill and combine the ingredients.

• Ice: Essential for chilling the cocktail in the shaker and for filling the highball glass.

• Highball glass: The glass in which the Tom Collins is traditionally served, filled with ice and the mixed cocktail.

• Strainer: Used to strain the mixed ingredients from the shaker into the highball glass, ensuring no ice or pulp gets into the drink.

• Jigger: A measuring tool used to accurately measure the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

• Bar spoon: Used to gently stir the soda water into the cocktail after it has been poured into the highball glass.

• Knife: Used to slice the lemon for garnish.

• Cutting board: A surface to safely cut the lemon for garnish.

• Maraschino cherry: Used as a garnish to add a touch of sweetness and visual appeal to the cocktail.

Pre-make simple syrup: Prepare a batch of simple syrup in advance and store it in the fridge. This saves time when making multiple cocktails.

Use bottled lemon juice: If you're in a hurry, use high-quality bottled lemon juice instead of squeezing fresh lemons.

Chill your glassware: Keep your highball glasses in the freezer. This reduces the need for extra ice and keeps your drink colder longer.

Batch your cocktails: Mix larger quantities of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher. Pour individual servings and top with soda water as needed.