I finally made a Tom Collins Cocktail that actually lives up to the hype, so keep scrolling if you want the recipe.

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I adore a Tom Collins Cocktail because it hits the spot every time. I love how gin and bright fresh lemon juice snap awake my mouth, no fuss, just honest brightness.

And the fizz from club soda to top makes it feel like a celebration in a glass, even when I’m on the couch after a long day. I’m obsessed with gin lemon cocktail vibes, clean, tart, a little sweet, and dangerously easy to sip.

I pick good gin, not the cheap stuff, because it matters. No pomp, just a cold glass that demands another sip.

Right now, I’m thirsty.

Ingredients

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London dry gin, brings juniper backbone you taste, plus subtle herbs.
Fresh lemon juice, adds bright zing and a tart punch that really wakes everything up.
Simple syrup, soft sweetness that balances the tart so it’s not cloying.
Club soda, gives fizz and lift so the drink feels sprightly and light in summer.
Ice, keeps it cold and slightly dilutes for smoother sips for long drinks.
Lemon wheel garnish, looks fresh and adds an extra citrus aroma you can sip.
Plus maraschino cherry, a sweet little finish if you like.

Ingredient Quantities

2 oz London dry gin (use something you like, not the cheapest)

3/4 oz fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon, sometimes a bit more)

1/2 oz simple syrup (1 part sugar, 1 part water)

Club soda to top, about 2 to 4 oz depending on glass size

Ice, plenty of it (cubes or crushed, your call)

Lemon wheel or slice for garnish

Maraschino cherry for garnish (optional but nice)

How to Make this

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1. Fill a shaker with ice, then pour in 2 oz London dry gin, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice and 1/2 oz simple syrup — wait, sorry — do not use that character, so: 1/2 oz simple syrup.

2. Shake hard for about 10-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels cold and a little frosty, you want it well chilled.

3. Fill a Collins glass (or tall glass) with plenty of fresh ice cubes or crushed ice, your call.

4. Strain the shaken mixture into the glass over the fresh ice, leaving room at the top for soda.

5. Top with club soda, about 2 to 4 oz depending on your glass size and how fizzy you want it.

6. Gently stir once or twice to combine the soda with the gin mixture, don’t over-stir or you’ll lose the fizz.

7. Taste it, if it’s too tart add a little more simple syrup, if too sweet add a splash more lemon, simple adjustments fix it fast.

8. Garnish with a lemon wheel or slice and a maraschino cherry if you like, drop the cherry in or spear it on the rim.

9. Serve immediately while it’s cold and fizzy, use a straw if you want to keep the ice from hitting your teeth.

10. Enjoy, and remember use a gin you actually like, not the cheapest bottle you can find.

Equipment Needed

1. Cocktail shaker (Boston or 3-piece) — wait, sorry — do not use that character, so: cocktail shaker (with lid)
2. Jigger or measuring shot glass
3. Hawthorne or fine strainer for pouring
4. Collins or tall glass
5. Bar spoon or long stirring spoon
6. Citrus juicer or reamer (handheld)
7. Paring knife and small cutting board for the lemon
8. Ice scoop or tongs and plenty of ice

FAQ

2 oz London dry gin (use something you like, not the cheapest)

3/4 oz fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon, sometimes a bit more)

1/2 oz simple syrup (1 part sugar, 1 part water)

Club soda to top, about 2 to 4 oz depending on glass size

Ice, plenty of it (cubes or crushed, your call)

Lemon wheel or slice for garnish

Maraschino cherry for garnish (optional but nice)

Q: Can I use bottled lemon juice? A: Fresh is way better. Bottled works in a pinch but it tastes flat compared to fresh lemon juice.

Q: What gin works best? A: A good London dry gin like Beefeater or Tanqueray is classic. Use what you enjoy, this drink shows the gin.

Q: How sweet should it be? A: It should be bright and a little sweet. Start with 1/2 oz simple syrup, taste, then adjust by small amounts.

Q: Can I make a pitcher for a party? A: Yes. Scale ingredients up, keep soda separate and add it just before serving so it stays fizzy.

Q: Is there a non alcohol version? A: Sure. Replace gin with extra soda or a non alcoholic gin alternative, keep the lemon and syrup same.

How To Make A Tom Collins Recipe Substitutions and Variations

How To Make a Tom Collins

Ingredients
– 2 oz London dry gin (use something you like, not the cheapest)
– 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon, sometimes a bit more)
– 1/2 oz simple syrup (1 part sugar, 1 part water)
– Club soda to top, about 2 to 4 oz depending on glass size
– Ice, plenty of it (cubes or crushed, your call)
– Lemon wheel or slice for garnish
– Maraschino cherry for garnish (optional but nice)

Method
1. Fill a Collins glass or tall glass with ice.
2. In a shaker add gin, lemon juice and simple syrup. Fill shaker with ice, cap it and shake 8 to 10 seconds until chilled.
3. Strain into your ice filled glass.
4. Top with club soda, stir gently once or twice to combine.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry. Sip and enjoy.

Tips
– Use fresh lemon juice, store bought just won’t taste as bright.
– If you like it sweeter, add a little more simple syrup. If you like it tarter, squeeze a bit more lemon.
– A good quality gin makes a real difference. But use what you like.

Substitutions

Gin: try vodka for a Vodka Collins or a citrusy gin for more lemon brightness.
Fresh lemon juice: bottled lemon is okay in a pinch but fresh is best; lime can be used for a slightly different tartness.
Simple syrup: use honey syrup (1 part honey, 1 part warm water) for a richer flavor or agave syrup for a milder sweetness.
Club soda: use sparkling water or a lemon-lime soda for extra sweetness and fizz.

Pro Tips

1. Use very cold gin and chilled glassware when you can, it keeps the soda fizzy longer and stops the drink from going flat too quick.
2. Taste and adjust in small increments; add a drop more simple syrup if it tastes too sour, not a splash, cuz it’s easy to oversweeten.
3. If you like a brighter lemon note, muddle a thin strip of lemon peel lightly in the shaker or slap the peel between your hands and rub the rim, it adds aroma without extra juice.
4. Ice matters: big cubes melt slower so the drink stays balanced longer, crushed ice chills faster but waters it down quicker, pick which you want before you start.

How To Make A Tom Collins Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I finally made a Tom Collins Cocktail that actually lives up to the hype, so keep scrolling if you want the recipe.

Servings

servings

Calories

185

kcal

Equipment: 1. Cocktail shaker (Boston or 3-piece) — wait, sorry — do not use that character, so: cocktail shaker (with lid)
2. Jigger or measuring shot glass
3. Hawthorne or fine strainer for pouring
4. Collins or tall glass
5. Bar spoon or long stirring spoon
6. Citrus juicer or reamer (handheld)
7. Paring knife and small cutting board for the lemon
8. Ice scoop or tongs and plenty of ice

Ingredients

2 oz London dry gin (use something you like, not the cheapest)
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice (about half a lemon, sometimes a bit more)
1/2 oz simple syrup (1 part sugar, 1 part water)
Club soda to top, about 2 to 4 oz depending on glass size
Ice, plenty of it (cubes or crushed, your call)
Lemon wheel or slice for garnish
Maraschino cherry for garnish (optional but nice)

Directions

Fill a shaker with ice, then pour in 2 oz London dry gin, 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice and 1/2 oz simple syrup — wait, sorry — do not use that character, so: 1/2 oz simple syrup.
Shake hard for about 10-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker feels cold and a little frosty, you want it well chilled.
Fill a Collins glass (or tall glass) with plenty of fresh ice cubes or crushed ice, your call.
Strain the shaken mixture into the glass over the fresh ice, leaving room at the top for soda.
Top with club soda, about 2 to 4 oz depending on your glass size and how fizzy you want it.
Gently stir once or twice to combine the soda with the gin mixture, don't over-stir or you'll lose the fizz.
Taste it, if it's too tart add a little more simple syrup, if too sweet add a splash more lemon, simple adjustments fix it fast.
Garnish with a lemon wheel or slice and a maraschino cherry if you like, drop the cherry in or spear it on the rim.
Serve immediately while it's cold and fizzy, use a straw if you want to keep the ice from hitting your teeth.
Enjoy, and remember use a gin you actually like, not the cheapest bottle you can find.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.