Tom Collins's Email & Phone Number

📖 Summary

A Tom Collins is a classic cocktail that has been quenching thirsts and delighting taste buds for well over a century. This refreshing and timeless drink is a perfect choice for a warm summer’s day, with its tangy, citrusy flavor and light, bubbly effervescence. It’s a delightful combination of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water, served over ice and garnished with a slice of lemon and a maraschino cherry. The Tom Collins is not only a delicious and refreshing beverage, but it also has a fascinating history that adds an extra layer of allure to this beloved drink.

The Tom Collins is said to have originated in the 19th century, with its roots tracing back to a practical joke that became a popular beverage. The story goes that the drink was first mentioned in writing in 1876, in a printed recipe for “The John Collins Cocktail” in an American recipe book. This concoction was made with Old Tom gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water, and was served over ice. However, the name of the cocktail soon changed due to a prank that swept through the streets of New York and Philadelphia in the 1870s.

The prank, known as “The Great Tom Collins Hoax,” involved one person telling another that a man named Tom Collins had been speaking ill of them at a nearby bar. The victim would then go to the bar looking for Tom Collins, only to be told that he had just left for another bar. This led to a wild goose chase as the victim would go from bar to bar, only to be told each time that Tom Collins had just been there. This practical joke became so widespread that it was reported in newspapers and had people all over the country looking for the elusive Tom Collins. The notoriety of the prank led to the cocktail’s name being changed from John Collins to Tom Collins, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Tom Collins gained widespread popularity in the United States during the 19th century, and it has remained a staple of cocktail culture ever since. It’s a simple yet sophisticated drink that perfectly showcases the botanical flavors of gin, the tartness of fresh lemon juice, and the sweetness of simple syrup, all topped off with the fizzy, refreshing lift of soda water. The combination of these elements creates a well-balanced and utterly satisfying drink that is sure to please even the most discerning palate.

To make a Tom Collins, start by filling a highball glass with ice. Then, pour in 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice, and ½ ounce of simple syrup. Give the ingredients a good stir to combine them and chill the mixture. Top it off with soda water, pouring it over the back of a spoon to create a bubbly, frothy head. Garnish with a slice of lemon and a plump maraschino cherry, and the perfect Tom Collins is ready to enjoy.

The Tom Collins is a versatile cocktail that can be adapted to suit individual tastes and preferences. For example, some people like to use a London dry gin for a crisp and clean flavor, while others prefer the smoothness and subtle sweetness of Old Tom gin. Some may choose to adjust the tartness of the lemon juice or the sweetness of the simple syrup to create a drink that is perfectly suited to their personal palate.

Whether you’re sipping a Tom Collins at a swanky cocktail bar or mixing one up at home for a casual get-together, this classic cocktail is sure to impress with its timeless appeal and refreshing taste. So, raise a glass to the Tom Collins – a drink that has stood the test of time and continues to bring joy to cocktail enthusiasts all over the world. Cheers!