What is a Tom Collins?

The Tom Collins is a true cocktail oldie. Bartenders have been preparing this refreshing long drink with gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and soda water for 200 years. It was particularly popular in the 1960s and 70s. Then, rum and new Caribbean cocktail variations pushed the drink out of the scene. Thanks to the current gin hype, this old classic is experiencing a revival and can once again be found on bar cocktail menus.

What does a Tom Collins taste like?

Similar to a Gin Fizz, a Tom Collins tastes fresh and is not overly alcoholic. Due to the lemon juice used, it has tart notes. Since the drink mellows the intense gin flavor, it is well-suited for those new to the world of gin.

Which gin goes well with a Tom Collins?

Originally, the Tom Collins is mixed with an Old Tom Gin. This is a sweetened gin, usually based on a London Dry Gin.

What is the difference between a Tom Collins and a Gin Fizz?

Both cocktails are actually extremely similar. However, there are a few minor differences. For the Tom Collins, an Old Tom Gin is used and a bit more soda water is added. If you were to use a London Dry Gin for the Tom Collins, it would additionally be sweetened with a little sugar. Furthermore, the cocktail is completely "built" in the glass. This means no shaker is used as it is for a Gin Fizz.

History of the Tom Collins – British Long Drink

The Tom Collins cocktail has numerous origin stories.

The most famous legend comes from Limmer’s Hotel in London. Around 1800, head waiter John Collins worked there in the coffee room and had a special relationship with his guests. When necessary, he would secretly usher them out of the hotel's back exit. In his honor, the grandsons of playwright Richard Brinsley wrote a song. The London head waiter is considered the inventor of the Tom Collins cocktail.

The oldest recipe comes from Australia

Over time, the cocktail spread around the world and was even mentioned in writing in Montreal in 1864. The oldest recipe comes from an Australian cookbook and describes the preparation as a mixture of gin, sugar, syrup, and soda water.

The Gentleman’s Table Guide from 1871 describes a similar mixed drink. The Gin Twist contains chilled soda water, lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of powdered sugar, 1 glass of gin, and a serving recommendation on ice.

In 1873, a new cocktail called John Collins was mentioned in the New York Sun. The recipe consists of Old Tom Gin, lemon juice, and soda, with the possibility of using brandy as a variation. The New York bartender Jerry Thomas interpreted the Tom Collins Gin as a variation of the Tom Collins Whiskey, which only differs in the base spirit.

Pierre, Tom, or Ron Collins

There are countless variations in cocktail history, ranging from Pierre Collins to John Collins to Ron Collins. A John Collins cocktail contains bourbon, genever, or dry gin as a base, while a Tom Collins is prepared with genever, dry gin, or Old Tom Gin. The other recipes and their ingredients are not clearly defined. To this day, there are debates about whether an original Tom Collins should be prepared with dry gin or Old Tom Gin.