Way back in the Victorian era of things, around 160 years ago, before the invention of the zeppelin and telephony, something amazing happened. An underappreciated genius had the bright idea of mixing his gin with some sugar, soda, and a fantastical tropical fruit called the Lemon. This amazing epiphany not only birthed the Collins’ range of cocktails, but also resulted in the Gin Fizz and its many derivatives. So, in honour of this fine and mysterious person, let’s learn how to make the best possible Tom (John) Collins cocktail as well as the Gin Fizz.
The Refreshing Tom (John) Collins Cocktail
Equipment
- 1 Lemon Squeezer
Ingredients
- 50ml Gin (Old Tom Gin for Authenticity)
- 15ml Simple Sugar Syrup
- 25ml Fresh Lemon Juice
- 60ml Soda Water
- Ice
- 1 Lemon Wheel (to Garnish)
- 1 Raspberry (to Garnish (optional))
- 1 Sprig of Fresh Mint
Instructions
- Fill your Highball Glass to the brim with Ice (for those opting for a Gin Fizz, don't add any Ice, and choose a smaller glass)
- Pour 50ml of Gin, 15ml of Simple Sugar Syrup ans 25ml of Fresh Lemon Juice into the Cocktail Shaker, along with 3 cubes of Ice
- Give the whole thing a good shake until it is ice cold to the touch
- Strain the contents Into the pre-prepared glass
- Top up with 60ml of Soda Water, and give it a quick stir
- Garnish with a Wheel of Lemon and a Raspberry, a sprig of Mint or other similar strikingly coloured embellishment
- Sit back, relax, and enjoy your 160 year old cocktail
Nutrition
Mastering the Tom Collins Cocktail
Tom or John?
According to legend, this simple but amazing cocktail originally emerged as the John Collins back in the mid 1800s. However, as it gained traction later that century, folk began using Old Tom Gin as the liquor of choice, and in turn, began referring to it as the Tom Collins. These days, the names have become interchangeable, and folks online will find both used in equal measure. However, other parties insist on using the name ‘John’ for a bourbon-based version of the drink.
Delve into the World of the Collins Cocktail
The Tom (or John) is a great stepping stone into the wild and wonderful realm of the Collins cocktail. Using the same ratios, bartending inclined folk can begin to make their own versions of the drink by using one base spirit, one sugar syrup (flavoured or otherwise), one form of citrus, and an unsweetened carbonated beverage to top everything off. As a result, alternative ingredients to consider include, Rum, Whiskey, Vodka, Tequila, grapefruit soda, vanilla soda, rose syrup, strawberry syrup, brown sugar syrup, and a range of muddled fruits. So, dig out the cocktail making paraphernalia, the only thing holding you back, is your imagination!
Switching it Over to a Gin Fizz
Those taking the time to read this post may have noticed that I have lumped the John Collins and Gin Fizz cocktails together. I have done this because, under the hood, they are essentially the same drink. The main difference between the two comes down to ice, as the Gin Fizz generally contains none. Furthermore, the Gin Fizz will often contain a little less soda, and come served in a fancier glass.
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