Tom Collins – Gin, Lemon & Soda Classic Highball

The Tom Collins cocktail is a classic gin highball built from gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and carbonated water. The sour base is shaken for chill and dilution, then lengthened with soda so the finished drink stays light, bright, and fizzy rather than tasting like a short sour poured into a tall glass.

Background

The Tom Collins belongs to the 19th-century Collins family of tall spirit, citrus, sugar, and soda drinks. The name became especially visible in the United States around the 1874 "Tom Collins" hoax, while printed cocktail recipes from the period helped establish the drink as a bar standard. Historical formulas vary, but gin, lemon, sugar, and sparkling water remain the defining structure.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Gin: provides the botanical spirit backbone.
• Lemon Juice: supplies the fresh acidity that defines the sour base.
• Simple Syrup: balances the lemon without adding another flavor.
• Carbonated Water: lengthens the drink and provides the refreshing fizz.

A vodka Collins replaces gin with vodka for a softer base. Honey syrup can replace simple syrup for a more aromatic variation.

Equipment

• Collins Glass
• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Bar spoon

Shake the Sour, Protect the Fizz

The gin, lemon, and syrup need enough shaking to chill, dilute, and integrate the sour base. Carbonated water should only be added after straining. That keeps the bubbles lively and prevents unnecessary pressure in the shaker.

Substitutions & Variations

• Replace gin with vodka for a Vodka Collins.
• Add cucumber or mint for a fresh herbal variation.
• Use honey syrup instead of simple syrup for a floral note.
• Swap part of the lemon for grapefruit for a softer bittersweet citrus profile.

Helpful Tips

• Use fresh lemon juice.
• Chill the Collins Glass before building when possible.
• Shake the gin, lemon, and syrup until properly chilled and diluted.
• Use fresh ice in the serving glass.
• Add cold soda water last and stir only once or twice.
• For a batch, pre-mix the gin, lemon, and syrup, then shake and top each serving with soda to order.