Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe

Gin: A distilled alcoholic beverage made from juniper berries, providing the primary spirit for the cocktail.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed juice from lemons, adding a tangy and refreshing flavor.

Simple syrup: A sweetener made by dissolving sugar in water, balancing the tartness of the lemon juice.

Soda water: Carbonated water that adds a fizzy element to the drink.

Lemon slice: A slice of lemon used as a garnish to enhance the visual appeal and aroma.

Maraschino cherry: A preserved, sweetened cherry used as a garnish, adding a touch of color and sweetness.

To enhance the flavor of your Tom Collins, consider using a premium gin with botanical notes that complement the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Also, make your own simple syrup by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat, allowing it to cool before use. This ensures a fresher and more vibrant taste.

• gin - Substitute with vodka: Vodka has a neutral flavor that can mimic the base spirit in a Tom Collins without altering the overall taste profile too much.

• gin - Substitute with white rum: White rum offers a slightly sweeter and more tropical flavor, which can add an interesting twist to the cocktail.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, though it will impart a slightly different taste.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice offers a more bitter and complex citrus flavor, which can add depth to the cocktail.

• simple syrup - Substitute with agave syrup: Agave syrup is a natural sweetener that dissolves easily and provides a slightly different, but still pleasant, sweetness.

• simple syrup - Substitute with honey syrup: Honey syrup (honey mixed with water) adds a richer, more floral sweetness to the cocktail.

• To maintain the freshness of your Tom Collins cocktail, store the simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep for up to a month.
• Lemon juice can be squeezed fresh and stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze the juice in ice cube trays and transfer the cubes to a freezer bag.
• If you have leftover gin, ensure the bottle is tightly sealed and stored in a cool, dark place to preserve its quality.
• For pre-mixed Tom Collins (excluding soda water), you can store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake well before serving.
• To freeze the Tom Collins mixture, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. When ready to serve, blend the cubes with soda water for a slushy version of the cocktail.
• Always keep maraschino cherries in their original jar, sealed tightly, and stored in the refrigerator. They can last for several months.
• Lemon slices should be cut fresh for the best flavor and appearance. However, if you need to store them, place them in an airtight container with a damp paper towel and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

• First, ensure you have a cocktail shaker and a highball glass ready.
• Fill the cocktail shaker with ice.
• Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker.
• Shake well until the mixture is thoroughly chilled.
• Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
• Top off with soda water.
• Garnish with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry.

Enjoy your freshly revitalized Tom Collins!

• Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice to chill the ingredients.

• Jigger: A measuring tool to accurately measure the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.

• Strainer: Used to strain the mixed cocktail into the glass, ensuring no ice or pulp gets into the drink.

• Highball glass: The serving glass for the Tom Collins cocktail, typically tall and narrow.

• Ice: Essential for chilling the cocktail and filling the highball glass.

• Bar spoon: Useful for gently stirring the soda water into the cocktail after it's been poured into the glass.

• Knife: Needed to slice the lemon for both the juice and the garnish.

• Cutting board: A surface to safely cut the lemon.

• Maraschino cherry: Used as a garnish to add a touch of sweetness and visual appeal to the cocktail.

Prepare ingredients ahead: Measure and juice lemons in advance. Store in the fridge for quick access.

Use pre-made simple syrup: Save time by using store-bought simple syrup instead of making your own.

Batch cocktails: Mix larger quantities of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher. Shake individual servings as needed.

Chill glasses: Keep highball glasses in the freezer to reduce the need for extra ice.

Garnish prep: Slice lemons and prepare maraschino cherries ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers.