Tom Collins Recipe: The Original Gin Sparkler

By Aquarium Guides Editorial Team · Updated November 10, 2026

Last Updated: November 10, 2026

A Tom Collins is a tall, sparkling gin cocktail made from 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of fresh lemon juice, 0.5 to 0.75 ounce of simple syrup, and 2 to 3 ounces of club soda, served in a Collins glass over ice. Think of it as gin lemonade with bubbles: it is bright, dry, and easy to drink on warm days.

Ingredients

• 2 oz gin (London dry or Old Tom)
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 0.5 to 0.75 oz simple syrup
• 2 to 3 oz chilled club soda
• Ice
• Lemon wheel and maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Add the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake hard for about ten seconds.
3. Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Top with club soda and stir gently once.
5. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a cherry.

Where the Name Comes From

The drink appeared in print in the 1870s, and the name is linked to a popular prank of the era called the “Tom Collins hoax,” in which people told friends that a man named Tom Collins was spreading rumors about them. Bartenders leaned into the joke, and the cocktail took the name. Its roots are in the older gin punch and gin sling families, which combined spirit, citrus, sugar, and water. Soda water turned it into the long, fizzy form still made today.

Gin Choices

London dry gin is the standard because its juniper backbone stands up to sweet and sour balance. Old Tom gin, with slightly more sweetness, is the historically accurate choice and makes a softer drink; if you use it, trim the syrup by a quarter ounce. Contemporary floral gins make lighter, more perfumed versions. Genever, the malty ancestor of gin, produces a richer and rounder Collins.

Collins Family Compared

Variations

Elderflower Collins

Replace the simple syrup with 0.75 ounce of elderflower liqueur. The result is floral and delicate.

Cucumber Collins

Muddle three cucumber slices with the syrup before adding the other ingredients. Strain and serve over ice.

Raspberry Collins

Muddle six raspberries in the shaker and double-strain into the glass for a pink, tart drink.

Rosemary Collins

Make rosemary syrup by steeping a sprig in hot simple syrup for fifteen minutes. Use it in place of plain syrup and garnish with a fresh sprig.

Lavender Collins

Add a quarter ounce of lavender syrup. The aroma pairs well with a floral gin.

Sparkling Collins

Skip the soda and top with 2 ounces of dry sparkling wine. It becomes close to a French 75 served long.

Collins Versus Gin Fizz

The two are close cousins. A Collins is served over ice in a tall glass, while a gin fizz is traditionally served without ice in a smaller glass and is often shaken with egg white. The Collins has more soda and a lighter body, while the fizz is more concentrated and frothy.

Glassware and Garnish

A Collins glass is tall and narrow, which keeps the bubbles in the drink for longer. Fill it with fresh ice rather than using the shaker ice, which has begun to melt. Garnish with a lemon wheel and a bright cherry on a pick, or use a lemon twist expressed over the surface for aroma. A long straw or stirrer is standard.

Food Pairings

The bright acidity and light fizz suit lunch and appetizer spreads. Pair it with smoked salmon on blinis, cucumber sandwiches, shrimp cocktail, fried chicken, deviled eggs, or a salad with goat cheese. The dryness also complements salty cured meats and soft cheeses on a charcuterie board.

Tips

• Always use fresh lemon juice; bottled lemon juice dulls the drink.
• Shake gin, lemon, and syrup first and add soda last, never in the shaker.
• Use a dense ice cube set to keep dilution gradual.
• Taste for balance and add a tiny bit more syrup if the lemons are unusually tart.

Gin cocktails are deceptively light, so please enjoy yours in moderation and drink responsibly.

Building a Better Simple Syrup for Collins Drinks

Because the Collins is mostly lemon and gin, the syrup should be clean and unobtrusive. A one-to-one syrup of white sugar and water is the standard. If you want more body, use a rich syrup of two parts sugar to one part water, and reduce the amount to 0.5 ounce. Gomme syrup, which contains gum arabic, adds a silky texture often found in older bar books. Raw sugar syrup adds a mild caramel note that suits Old Tom gin.

Reading the Balance

A well-made Collins should taste of lemon first, then juniper, then a gentle sweetness that fades into dry soda. If the first sip is sharp, add more syrup in small amounts. If it tastes syrupy, add a squeeze of lemon. Because the soda dilutes everything, the mixed base should taste slightly too strong and tart before soda goes in.

Making a Pitcher

For six drinks, combine 12 ounces of gin, 6 ounces of lemon juice, and 4 ounces of simple syrup in a pitcher. Refrigerate until cold. Pour 3 ounces of the base over ice in each glass and top with 2 to 3 ounces of soda. The base keeps well for several hours, but add soda only at service.

Seasonal Collins Ideas

In spring, muddle a few strawberries and basil. In summer, try watermelon juice and mint. In autumn, add a splash of pear nectar and a cinnamon stick. In winter, use blood orange and rosemary. The core formula of gin, citrus, sugar, and soda stays the same, and each season simply changes the fruit and herb accents.

Non-Alcoholic Collins

Use 2 ounces of cold juniper-and-citrus tea or a zero-proof gin alternative with the lemon, syrup, and soda. It keeps the same refreshing profile.

FAQ

What is the difference between a Tom Collins and a gin and tonic?

A Tom Collins uses lemon juice, syrup, and club soda, so it is sweet and sour. A gin and tonic uses bitter tonic water and is drier.

Do you shake a Tom Collins?

You shake the gin, lemon, and syrup, then add the soda to the glass afterward.

Can I use lime instead of lemon?

Yes, but then it is closer to a Gin Rickey or a lime-based Collins variation, and the flavor will be sharper.

What size is the proper glass?

A Collins glass holds 10 to 14 ounces, enough to fit the spirit, mixers, soda, and ice comfortably.

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