Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe

Gin: A distilled alcoholic drink made from grain and flavored with juniper berries.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed juice from lemons, providing a tart and tangy flavor.

Simple syrup: A sweet syrup made by dissolving sugar in water, used to balance the tartness of the lemon juice.

Soda water: Carbonated water used to top off the cocktail, adding a fizzy element.

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

Maraschino cherry: A preserved, sweet cherry used as a garnish, adding a pop of color and a hint of sweetness.

When preparing a Tom Collins, ensure that the lemon juice is freshly squeezed. This will provide a brighter and more vibrant flavor compared to bottled juice. Additionally, when shaking the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in the cocktail shaker, make sure to shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds. This not only chills the mixture but also helps to properly blend the ingredients, resulting in a smoother drink. Finally, when topping with soda water, pour it gently to maintain the effervescence, which adds a refreshing fizz to the cocktail.

• gin - Substitute with vodka: Vodka has a neutral flavor that can mimic the clean taste of gin without the botanical notes.

• gin - Substitute with white rum: White rum provides a different but equally refreshing base for the cocktail.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice offers a similar tartness and acidity, though with a slightly different flavor profile.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice adds a unique citrus twist while maintaining the necessary acidity.

• simple syrup - Substitute with honey syrup: Honey syrup provides a richer, more complex sweetness.

• simple syrup - Substitute with agave nectar: Agave nectar is a natural sweetener that dissolves easily and adds a mild, pleasant sweetness.

• soda water - Substitute with tonic water: Tonic water adds a slight bitterness and additional flavor complexity.

• soda water - Substitute with sparkling water: Sparkling water maintains the effervescence without altering the flavor profile significantly.

• lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime provides a similar citrus note and visual appeal.

• lemon - Substitute with orange: Orange adds a sweeter, more aromatic garnish option.

• maraschino cherry - Substitute with fresh cherry: Fresh cherries offer a more natural and less sweet garnish.

• maraschino cherry - Substitute with cranberry: Cranberries provide a tart and visually appealing alternative.

• Store the simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one month. This ensures it remains fresh and ready for your next Tom Collins.
• Keep your gin in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight. This helps maintain its flavor and quality.
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, freeze the juice in ice cube trays and transfer the cubes to a freezer bag.
• If you have leftover Tom Collins mix (without the soda water), store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Shake well before using.
• To freeze the Tom Collins mix, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to one month. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and shake well before serving.
• Always use fresh lemon slices and maraschino cherries for garnish. Store lemons in the refrigerator crisper drawer and maraschino cherries in their original jar, tightly sealed, in the refrigerator.
• For the best taste, avoid freezing the entire Tom Collins cocktail with soda water, as carbonation does not freeze well and will lose its fizz.

• First, ensure your leftover Tom Collins cocktail is stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness.
• When ready to enjoy, pour the chilled cocktail into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
• If the cocktail has lost some of its fizz, top it off with a splash of soda water to revive its effervescence.
• Stir gently to mix the ingredients without diluting the drink too much.
• Garnish with a fresh lemon slice and a maraschino cherry to enhance its visual appeal and flavor.
• Enjoy your refreshed Tom Collins as if it were freshly made!

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

• Highball glass: The glass in which the cocktail is served, filled with ice and topped with soda water.

• Strainer: Used to strain the mixed ingredients from the shaker into the highball glass, ensuring a smooth drink without ice chunks.

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

• Bar spoon: Used to gently stir the cocktail after topping with soda water.

• Knife: Used to slice the lemon for garnish.

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

• Ice: Essential for chilling the cocktail in the shaker and the serving glass.

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

Pre-make simple syrup: Prepare a batch of simple syrup in advance and store it in the fridge. This saves time when making multiple cocktails.

Use bottled lemon juice: If you're in a hurry, use high-quality bottled lemon juice instead of squeezing fresh lemons.

Pre-chill glassware: Keep your highball glasses in the freezer so they're ready to go and keep your cocktail cold longer.

Batch your drinks: Mix larger quantities of gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a pitcher. Pour over ice and top with soda water when ready to serve.