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Tom Collins in a collins glass with lemon slice and cherry (AI-generated image)
AI-generated image
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Tom Collins

A tall gin sour lengthened with soda — essentially sparkling lemonade for grown-ups. Bright, crisp and easy-drinking.

Time
3 min
Difficulty
Easy
Method
Shaken
Glass
Collins glass

Ingredients

Servings

Garnish: Lemon slice (1 slice), Cherry (1)

How to make it

  1. 1

    Shake gin, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice.

  2. 2

    Strain into an ice-filled Collins glass.

  3. 3

    Top with soda water.

Bar gear

Equipment for this drink

Tools you'll need

  • Cocktail shakerChills, mixes and dilutes shaken drinks in about 12 seconds. A two-piece Boston shaker is the bartender standard.
  • JiggerA double-sided measure so every drink comes out the same. Look for one marked in ½ and ¼ oz.
  • Hawthorne strainerThe spring-edged strainer that holds back ice when you pour from a shaker.
  • Citrus pressSqueezes fresh lemon and lime fast — fresh juice is the biggest upgrade you can make.

Recommended glassware

  • Collins glassA slightly taller, narrower highball for Collins-style drinks and coolers.

No shaker? A clean jar with a tight lid works. Build your home bar →

Recipe source: Widely published standard specification. Quantities and basic method are factual. Description and steps are original Mixistry copy. Last updated 2026-10-11.

Contains alcohol. For adults of legal drinking age — please enjoy responsibly.

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