Tom collins cocktail

What is a tom collins?

At its simplest a tom collins is a sour made with a base spirit – classically old tom gin – lemon juice and sugar, and lengthened with sparkling water. It’s winningly easy to make and makes for a refreshing summer drink.

Tom collins ingredients

We’ve tried and tested the best gins, but feel free to experiment with other base spirits – vodka, cognac, calvados, blanco tequila, white rum and light blended whiskies would all work well.

Bar hacks and garnishes

Garnish with a lemon wheel and maraschino cherry. Use a chilled highball glass.

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Make it a non-alcoholic tom collins

Swap the gin for a non-alcoholic gin.