Tom Collins is a refreshing classic cocktail made with gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water. Light, crisp and refreshing, it is one of the most well-known examples of long-drinking cocktails preferred especially on hot days.
The Tom Collins cocktail is one of the most famous classic cocktails of the 19th century. But the story of this drink is more than just a recipe. The name of the cocktail is based on an interesting urban legend that was spreading in America at the time.
In 1874, a hoax called the "Tom Collins Hoax" spread rapidly in New York City. People were telling each other that someone named "Tom Collins" was walking around the city and talking badly about them behind their backs. When many people heard this rumor, they went to the bars in anger and asked, "Where is Tom Collins?"
To make the joke fun, bar owners and bartenders started serving a new drink to customers and named it Tom Collins. In this way, the joke soon merged with a popular drink.
“Sometimes even a small joke can create a story that will go down in history.”
In fact, the origins of this cocktail go back even further. In the mid-19th century, a similar cocktail called "John Collins" was prepared in England. This drink was made with gin, lemon and soda water. In America, Tom Collins popularized a slightly different version of this recipe.
Over time, Tom Collins became one of the best-known examples of a long-drinking refreshing cocktail. In fact, the name "Collins" has become a category for many soda-based cocktails today. It is considered a timeless classic that is still served in many bars around the world today.
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Ingredients
Unit System
50 mlGin
25 mlFresh Lemon Juice
15 mlSugar Syrup
100 mlSoda
·Ice
Lemonwedge
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Method
1
Add the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup to the shaker.
2
Shake briefly with a little ice.
3
Strain the mixture into a highball or Collins glass filled with ice.
4
Top up the glass with soda water.
5
Stir gently and serve with a lime wedge.
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Bartender Tips
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Using fresh lemon juice significantly enhances the fresh character of the cocktail.
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Choosing a balanced and aromatic gin enhances the character of the drink.
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Soda should be added last, so that the drink retains its fizz.
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