A quick guide to making the classic Tom Collins cocktail

The Tom Collins belongs to the Collins family of cocktails. The Collins is a class of drinks usually consisting of liquor (usually gin), lemon, sugar and carbonated water. As indicated in the name, a Tom Collins would have bee made with old Tom gin, which is a style of gin that was sweetened and popular in 18th century England. The eagle eyed might notice that the Tom Collins has got the same ingredients as the Gin Fizz but the difference is that a Tom Collins is shaken and served WITH ice.

How to make the Tom Collins

Ingredients

• 60ml gin (we used Baker Williams Navy Strength gin)

• 30ml lemon juice

• 15ml simple syrup

• Soda water to top up

Instructions

• Put gin, lemon juice and simply syrup in a cocktail shaker.

• Fill cocktail shaker with ice

• Shake for about 20-30 seconds

• Fill a tall glass with ice

• Strain the cocktail into the glass you’ve just filled with fresh ice

• Top up with the soda water

• Serve garnished with a lemon peel (or leave out the garnish if you prefer)