Tom Collins

By Robert Simonson

Updated July 2, 2024

Tom Collins
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Rating
5(413)
Comments
Read comments

The Tom Collins is perhaps the ultimate highball and one of history’s most enduring cocktails. It was historically made with Old Tom gin, which is sweeter than London dry gin, but the drink works well with both types of the spirit. (Old Tom only recently became available again, thanks to the clamoring of mixologists.) A peculiar methodology is used in mixing up a Tom Collins. Though it contains fresh juice, which usually dictates that the drink must be shaken, it is nonetheless often built in the glass in which it is served. But shaking the drink and then straining it into an ice-filled highball works as well, and arguably leads to a better integrated cocktail.

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone
    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.
    Subscribe

  • Print Options

Advertisement

Ingredients

  • 2ounces Old Tom or London Dry gin
  • 1ounce simple syrup
  • ¾ounce lemon juice
  • Soda water
  • Lemon wedge, for garnish
  • Cocktail cherry, for garnish
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Cooking Newsletter illustration

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Opt out or contact us anytime. See our Privacy Policy.

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Shake gin, syrup and juice with ice until chilled, about 15 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled highball. Top with soda water. Garnish with lemon wheel or wedge and a cherry.

Ratings

5 out of 5
413 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Comments

Steve

Substitute bourbon for the gin and you have a John Collins. Substitute champagne for the club soda in a Tom Collins and you have the French 75. Substitute cognac for gin in a French 75 and you have a French 75 Traditionnel Substitute white wine for champagne in a French 75 and you have a French 75 Sans Bulles Substitute limoncello for the lemon juice and simple syrup in a Tom Collins and you have a Tom Cello.

Jon

It's what the giraffe said when he walked into the bar. "Hey everybody, the highballs are on me"

Stephen Lamade

A highball is a base spirit, e.g. whiskey, and a larger proportion of non-alcoholic mixer, e.g. soda water. Hence, a Tom Collins is a highball because it is made of gin mixed with lemon juice and simple syrup, and topped off with seltzer. The drink can be built, or mixed, in a glass full of ice, or shaken in the manner described. It is served in a tall tumbler, or highball glass - or more traditionally in the narrower, taller Collins glass.

Delicious!

I made it per the instructions, and it was perfectly refreshing!! I used Hayman’s Old Tom gin. Perfect!!

Linda PA

Tastes like summer. I like it as written.

Omar

I imagine myself drinking one of these on a beach, after the air has cooled in late afternoon, with the sun's rays behind me and the blue ocean in front. The waiter wears a white jacket and bowtie, black slacks with bare feet. One small change: cut the simple syrup to half and ounce. Yes sir, another please.

Private comments are only visible to you.

Recipe Tags

Advertisement

or to save this recipe.