Tom Collins: Refreshingly Quick, Easy, Cool & All in Pictures

Classy and refreshing, the Tom Collins is the perfect summer drink.

Yah, sure: you can imagine yourself Jay Gatsby decked in a white suit out by the pool or you can just be plain, bone dry summer thirsty. The classic Tom Collins is a fantastically crisp and refreshing tall cocktail that’s as easy to make as lemonade and tastes so much better made with fresh limes, as shown here, instead of some kinda packaged lime juice. One thing about fresh limes: their sweetness can vary. I recommend you start with 2 teaspoons in step 2, taste the juice, sugar and gin mix in step 3, and then adjust the amount of sugar in the drink as needed.

TIPS:

About limes: For the best possible drink, use fresh limes that are heavier in weight and slightly soft to the touch when you push in on the skin with your thumb as they should also be juicier and more flavorful than those that are lighter in weight and rock hard to touch.

About ice: Although this may sound counterintuitive, pack a drink like this with ice to maintain its refreshing coolness and avoid diluting the drink flavor.

Preparation Time: 3-5 minutes

Ingredients

(for 1 tall glass)

2 – 2 ½ Ounces Lemon or Lime Juice (which should be the equivalent of about 2 limes)

2-3 Teaspoons Sugar

3 Ounces Gin

Ice

Soda Water

Equipment

Citrus Juicer
Sharp Knife
Cutting Board
Measuring Cup
Tablespoon
Tall Glass

1. Use a sharp knife to cut 2 limes in half.

2. Squeeze 2 – 2 1/2 ounces lime juice into a measuring cup as shown in the insert picture below.

3. Add 2-3 teaspoons sugar to the juice, and stir until the sugar dissolves completely. (TIP: Start with 2 teaspoons sugar, taste the drink as mixed in this step, and then add more sugar, if needed.)

4. Add and stir in 3 ounces of gin. (TIP: Taste the drink here for sweet and sour flavor and either leave the drink as is or add more sugar to taste.)