Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe By Chef undefined

About Tom Collins

Despite being a very simple drink, its history is rather complex. Now, to understand the origin of Tom Collins, we must know about John Collins who was a head waiter at Limmer’s Old House, a favourite London hotel and coffee house, with whom the original creation of the drink is credited to. The one significant difference however is that he used genever instead of gin. Over time, taste evolved and there appeared a recipe in 1869 The Steward and Barkeeper’s Manual of 1869 which referenced the recipe for John Collins using Old Tom Gin and that’s how we assume it got its name.

Another interesting theory attached to this cocktail is of the Tom Collins hoax of New York City in 1874, where people would convince others that a mysterious, non-existent ‘Tom Collins’ was talking about them behind their back and was waiting for them at a said bar. People seeking revenge would enter the bar asking for the said Tom Collins. It’s said that the bartender caught on the hoax and created a drink for anyone who entered the bar asking about the man, would have ordered a gin drink instead.

Pro tips

1. You can elevate your Tom Collins by using smoked ice. Fill an ice tray with water, then place it in a smoker with wood chips for a unique smoky flavour that adds depth to your drink.
2. Infuse your gin with fresh herbs like basil, rosemary, or thyme by letting the herbs steep in the gin for a few hours or overnight. It will give a herbal note to the drink.
3. Peel off some lemon zest, and muddle it with the simple syrup in the shaker, to intensify the citrus flavour.
4. Swap the simple syrup for honey syrup (equal parts honey and water) for a subtle and floral sweetness.
5. For a fruity profile, you can muddle fresh raspberries in the shaker before adding the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
6. Light and fresh salads such as Caesar salad, mixed greens with vinaigrette, or a citrus fruit salad will go great with the drink.

Recap

Directions

1. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes
2. Add 30ml sugar syrup
3. Add 30ml lime juice
4. Add 60ml gin
5. Shake it well using a cocktail shaker
6. Pour the drink into a Collins glass
7. Top up the drink with soda
   Garnish with a lime slice and cherry stick