The Tom Collins: A Complete History & Classic Recipe
- pbrittain97
- Oct 30
- 4 min read
Tall, effervescent, and timeless — the Tom Collins is the embodiment of easygoing sophistication. With gin, lemon, sugar, and soda, it’s the classic that bridges the gap between a cocktail and a summer breeze.
Served in its signature highball glass, the Tom Collins is more than a drink; it’s a ritual of refreshment, the original crowd-pleaser that has charmed bartenders and drinkers for nearly two centuries.
I. Origins
The Tom Collins is one of the oldest and most enduring cocktails in the canon — and its birth is tied to one of the great barroom pranks of the 19th century.
The Great Tom Collins Hoax (1874)
In 1874, New York and Philadelphia were swept up in a peculiar social joke. Men would tell their friends, “Have you seen Tom Collins? He’s been talking about you!” The victim, indignant, would rush from bar to bar demanding to confront the nonexistent Mr. Collins — only to find laughter waiting.
Clever bartenders seized the opportunity. At Limmer’s Hotel in London (and later in New York), gin-based “Collins” drinks were already popular, made by mixing gin, lemon, sugar, and soda. When Americans began ordering a “Tom Collins,” bartenders happily obliged.
The name stuck — and so did the drink.
From Hoax to Hall of Fame
By the time Jerry Thomas published his Bartender’s Guide (1876 edition), the Tom Collins was a fixture in drinking culture. His version called for Old Tom gin, a sweeter, maltier precursor to modern London Dry gin. The drink’s balance of citrus, spirit, and bubbles made it an instant success — and one of the first truly “sessionable” cocktails.
II. Historical Evolution
The Victorian Era: The Age of the Collins
In the late 19th century, “Collins-style” drinks flourished — refreshing highballs built on spirit, sugar, lemon, and soda. Variations appeared across regions:
Tom Collins: Gin
John Collins: Genever or Old Tom gin
Whiskey Collins, Rum Collins, Brandy Collins: Spirit substitutions
The Tom Collins became the most famous, representing the refined side of the British-American drinking exchange.
The 20th Century: The Summer Classic
As cocktail culture modernized, the Tom Collins remained a constant. In the 1920s, it was a favorite of gin-loving flappers. In the 1950s, it became the definition of “cocktail hour” cool — immortalized in songs, advertisements, and hotel lounges.
Ready-to-pour “Tom Collins mix” even appeared in grocery stores by the mid-century, a sign of its household ubiquity.
The Modern Era: The Return of Freshness
The craft cocktail revival of the 2000s restored the Tom Collins to its rightful place — made with fresh lemon juice, real simple syrup, and quality gin. It’s no longer a relic, but a refreshed classic for a new generation.
III. Ingredients & Technique
The Tom Collins belongs to the sour family, extended with soda to create a long, refreshing drink. The formula is both foundational and flexible — simple enough for any bar, refined enough for any palate.
Core Components
Gin: London Dry gin for crispness; Old Tom gin for historical authenticity.
Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed for brightness.
Simple Syrup: Classic 1:1 sugar syrup for clean sweetness.
Soda Water: Cold, sparkling, and lively.
The Classic Ratio
2 oz gin
1 oz lemon juice
0.75 oz simple syrup
Top with soda water (about 3 oz)
IV. Cultural Significance
The Tom Collins is more than a cocktail — it’s a symbol of the modern drinking era’s birth.
Before refrigeration and carbonation, most cocktails were short and strong. The Collins, with its tall glass, ice, and soda, represented a new philosophy: refreshment over potency, elegance over excess.
It also democratized cocktail culture. Easy to make, easy to enjoy, and endlessly adaptable, the Tom Collins became a gateway drink — a bridge between the punch bowls of the past and the mixology bars of the present.
And while the Margarita, Mojito, and Spritz dominate summer, the Tom Collins remains their quiet ancestor — just as fizzy, just as timeless, and unmistakably classic.
V. How to Make the Classic Version Today
Recipe — The Classic Tom Collins
Ingredients
2 oz (60 ml) London Dry gin (or Old Tom gin for a vintage profile)
1 oz (30 ml) fresh lemon juice
0.75 oz (22 ml) simple syrup (1:1)
2–3 oz (60–90 ml) chilled soda water
Method
Add gin, lemon juice, and syrup to a shaker with ice.
Shake briefly and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass.
Top with soda water and gently stir.
Garnish with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry.
Specs
Glass: Collins or highball glass
Ice: Cubed
Garnish: Lemon wheel, cherry
Style: Built highball / shaken sour
Technique Notes
Always use fresh lemon juice — bottled acidity dulls the drink’s brightness.
Chill soda water before topping; flat soda ruins texture.
For a true Victorian touch, use Old Tom gin and slightly less syrup.
Variations & Lineage
John Collins: Uses Dutch genever or Old Tom gin.
Vodka Collins: A neutral twist, popularized mid-century.
Raspberry Collins: Adds muddled berries or syrup for color and flavor.
Elderflower Collins: Swap syrup for elderflower cordial for floral notes.
Service & Pairing Tip
Perfect for summer brunches, outdoor gatherings, or aperitif hour.
Pairs beautifully with seafood, citrus dishes, or light salads.
VI. Modern Variations & Legacy
In today’s cocktail landscape, the Tom Collins stands as one of the most important templates — a pillar of modern mixology.
Its influence extends across generations of drinks: from the Gin Fizz to the Mojito, from the Paloma to the Spritz. Every time citrus, sweetener, and soda meet, the Collins’ spirit is present.
It endures because it’s honest: refreshing, balanced, and open to reinvention.
To order a Tom Collins is to step into a lineage of laughter, leisure, and effervescence — a glass filled not just with bubbles, but with history itself.
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