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WhatDrink

Cocktails

Tom Collins

Tom Collins is a tall, refreshing cocktail with a botanical citrus profile. Served chilled in a Collins glass, it works well for casual occasions where a bright, easy-drinking classic makes sense.

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic14.2% ABV6 ingredients

At a Glance

161 kcalCalories
14.2%ABV
5gSugar
6.3gCarbs
1.46Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderateshaken drink

Why: 6 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients & Tools

Tools:Cocktail Shaker

How to Make It

  1. In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar.Shaken
  2. Shake well.Shaken
  3. Strain into a Collins glass alomst filled with ice cubes.Strain
  4. Add the club soda.Add
  5. Stir and garnish with the cherry and the orange slice.Stirred

Why it works

Why the Tom Collins works

The drink works because lemon and sweetness create a simple sour base, then soda lengthens it into a crisp highball. It is built for freshness and easy sipping.

How to Serve

Glass
Collins Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Cubed ice
Method
Shaken
Served Chilled

Serving tips

Serving tips

Use cold soda and add it near the end to keep the drink lively. Taste the lemon and sweetener balance before topping, because dilution will soften the flavors.

Taste

What does a Tom Collins taste like?

A Tom Collins is tall, sparkling, citrusy and refreshing. Lemon gives the drink brightness, while soda water makes it lighter than many shaken sour cocktails.

Primary flavours

Citrus

Supporting notes

SweetBotanicalHerbalJuniper

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold
  • Bright and citrusy
  • Fruity and vibrant

What do these dimensions mean?

About this drink

The Tom Collins belongs to the Collins family of long sour drinks: spirit, lemon, sweetener and soda. Its name is often connected to the Great Tom Collins hoax of 1874, and printed recipes appeared in late-19th-century bartending books.

When to serve

  • Seafood DinnerSuggested from its lemon and citrus notes, pairing with ceviche and seafood.
  • SummerSuggested from its citrus notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

SeafoodCevicheSalads

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVeganVegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Gin2 oz

VodkaKnown variation
How much to use
Use the same volume; expect less juniper and botanical aroma.
What changes
Vodka can replace gin when you want a cleaner, less botanical drink, but it usually changes the cocktail identity.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Juice1 oz

Lime JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if the drink tastes too sharp.
What changes
Lime juice can usually replace lemon juice, but the drink becomes sharper and more tropical.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sugar1 tsp superfine

Simple SyrupWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use about 1/4 oz simple syrup per teaspoon of sugar as a starting point.
What changes
Simple syrup can replace sugar, but it also adds water and dissolves more easily.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Club Soda3 oz

Soda WaterGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Soda water is usually a close substitute for club soda.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make a Tom Collins at home?
Yes. The Tom Collins uses 6 ingredients, making it more involved to prepare at home. You will need a Collins Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.