Tom Collins

To make 1 tall drink

1 ounce fresh lemon juice
3 ounces gin
1 ½ teaspoons superfine (bar) sugar
2 ice cubes
6 ounces cold club soda

1 slice orange (optional)
1 maraschino cherry (optional)

A Tom Collins glass*

Place the lemon juice, gin and sugar in the Tom Collins glass and stir with a bar spoon to dissolve the sugar. Add the ice cubes, fill the glass with cold soda, and stir briefly. Garnish the drink, if you like, with an orange slice and / or a cherry.

Can use some lime juice in addition to lemon or just lime. Your preference.

Rum is the liquor most frequently substituted for gin then called a rum Collins . Applejack, bourbon, brandy, blended whiskey, Scotch or vodka can be also substituted. (Pick your poison!) With bourbon or blended whiskey, the drink is called a John Collins.

*An official Tom Collins glass is similar to a Highball glass in shape but slightly larger, i.e. taller, holding, 10 to 14 ounces liquid, as opposed to a Highball glass which typically holds 8 to 12 ounces. If using a shorter glass, just adjust quantities. Have seen this drink served in an 8 to 10 ounce wine glass at the Cosmos Club; so that must be okay!

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Tom Collins

Tom Collins

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