The Tom Collins recipe was first recorded in the book ‘The Bartender’s Guide’, which was written by Jerry Thomas and published in 1876. There is an amusing story surrounding the cocktail named ‘The Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874’, which was used as a prank for months, fooling many people.

According to the story, Tom Collins was a loud, boisterous man who frequented taverns and bad-mouthed almost everyone he met – and even those he hadn’t. However, those who fell victim to his wrath had good friends who would inform them immediately of the profanity directed at them. The victim would then be encouraged to find Collins and confront him. But in searching for Tom Collins at the tavern he was rumoured to be in, he was nowhere to be seen, as Tom Collins didn’t exist! Finally, seeking revenge, the victim would ask the barman for a Tom Collins and receive the sour cocktail instead.

While this is highly unlikely to be true, it makes a great tale and one can imagine it would’ve been great fun to trick friends with!

Ingredients:
50ml gin
25ml lemon juice
10ml sugar syrup
Splash soda water
Few slices of lemon
Maraschino cherry (optional)

Method:
1. Fill a tall glass with ice.

2. Pour gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup into the glass and mix well.

3. Top up with soda water and garnish with a few slices of lemon and a maraschino cherry.

Why not have a Mocktail?
For a non-alcoholic alternative, pour 120ml lemon juice, 60ml soda water and 1 tsp sugar syrup over ice and garnish with lemon and a maraschino cherry.

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY