Tom Collins

Nicole Schembeck
May 8
3 min read

Why I Love a Tom Collins – The Cocktail That Knows How to Have a Good Time

The Tom Collins—a cocktail as effortlessly refreshing as a crisp linen suit on a summer’s day. It doesn’t try to be mysterious or brooding. It’s not here to impress you with complexity. It’s here to be brilliantly simple, delightfully fizzy, and unapologetically fun—the kind of drink that leans in, hands you a glass, and says, "Relax, old chap, everything’s going to be splendid."

Now, its history? A bit murky, as with all the best things in life. Some say it was named after a bartender, others claim it came from a Victorian-era practical joke that involved asking people if they had seen a certain “Tom Collins” (who, of course, didn’t exist). Either way, this cocktail is a legend—it has survived over a century, countless reinventions, and more than a few questionable garnish choices.

The Sensory Experience of a Proper Tom Collins

The Smell

Before you even take a sip, there’s a bright, lemony aroma, like the first day of summer bottled up and served on ice. The gin’s botanicals peek through—a whisper of juniper, maybe a hint of floral spice—but it’s the citrus that steals the show.

The Taste

First sip: a perfect balance of tart, sweet, and crisp. The fresh lemon juice cuts through like a witty remark, the simple syrup smooths everything out, and then—just when you think it couldn’t get any better—the club soda fizzes in, light and effervescent, like laughter at a dinner party.

And the gin? Oh, it’s there, making its presence known with quiet confidence, lending those delicate herbal and citrus notes that dance around your palate like Fred Astaire at a cocktail bar.

The Feel

A Tom Collins is served tall, icy cold, and with bubbles that keep your taste buds wide awake. It’s the kind of drink you can sip slowly on a hot afternoon, appreciating its lightness, or cheerfully clink glasses with friends and down in a moment of celebratory spontaneity. Either way, it’s damn near impossible to have a bad time with one in hand.

Why Mixologists Love the Tom Collins (And Why You Should Too)

Effortless Perfection

Four ingredients—gin, lemon, sugar, soda—that’s it. No theatrics, no overcomplication, just flawless balance.

A Playground for Creativity

Want to switch things up? Throw in some fresh herbs. Infuse the syrup. Swap the gin for another spirit (though let’s be honest, gin does it best). The Tom Collins is like the white T-shirt of cocktails—it goes with everything.

A Timeless Classic

This drink has been gracing bars and summer gardens for over a century, and never once has anyone said, "You know what this needs? More nonsense."

A Final Thought

Use fresh lemon juice. Anything else is an insult.

Shake it like you’re mixing up a little trouble.

Pour over ice, top with soda, and take a moment to admire its beauty.

Sip, exhale contentedly, and revel in the simple joys of life.

Because a Tom Collins isn’t just a drink—it’s a mood, a mindset, a refreshingly fizzy reminder that sometimes, simplicity is the most sophisticated choice of all.

Ingredients:

2 ounces London dry gin

1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice

½ ounce simple syrup

Club soda, to top

Garnish: lemon wheel

Garnish: maraschino cherry (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a Collins glass, combine the gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup.
Fill the glass with ice, then top with club soda, allowing the effervescence to bring the drink to life.
Stir gently to blend the flavors while maintaining the cocktail’s light, refreshing fizz.
Garnish with a lemon wheel for a bright citrus aroma, and, if desired, a maraschino cherry for a touch of classic charm.
Serve immediately and enjoy a cocktail that is crisp, balanced, and effortlessly refreshing