Classic Tom Collins Recipes

Steps:

• In small saucepan, heat sugar and water over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until mixture simmers and sugar dissolves, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; cool.
• In small pitcher, stir together simple syrup, gin, and lemon juice. Fill 4 glasses to brim with ice. In each glass, pour about 2/3 cup gin mixture; top with 1/4 cup club soda. Garnish each with orange slice and 2 cherries.

Steps:

• Fill a Collins glass with 1 1/2 cups ice, set aside in the freezer. Combine gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker. Add 1 cup ice, cover and shake until chilled. Strain into the chilled Collins glass.
• Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon wedge.

Steps:

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and a dash of bitters. Cover and shake until the outside of the container is frosty, about 15 seconds. Strain into a highball glass full of ice. Top off with club soda and garnish with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry.

Steps:

• Build the drink over plenty of ice in a Collins glass, stir gently and garnish with a slice of lemon. 3 TWISTSRaspberry CollinsRaspberries give this twist on the classic Collins a pretty splash of colour. Start by gently muddling a handful of raspberries in the bottom of an empty Collins glass, then add the ice, all the other ingredients and mix well with a long handled spoon. Garnish with an orange slice. Brandy CollinsThis is a really refreshing way to enjoy cognac. For best results, use a young-ish VS or VSOP cognac that's nice and fruity. Just make the drink as normal, substituting cognac for gin, then garnish with a slice of ginger or a ribbon of lemon peel. Elderflower CollinsElderflower and lemon is a winning combination. You can make it with elderflower cordial or liqueur for something a touch more boozy. Mix the drink as normal, but use the liqueur or cordial in place of the sugar syrup. Garnish with a lemon slice.

Steps:

• Fill a shaker half way with ice cubes.
• Add gin, lemon juice and sugar, shake well.
• Strain mix into a collins glass that is almost filled to the top with ice cubes and add the club soda. Stir well and garnish with the cherry and orange slice.