Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a long, refreshing drink of gin, lemon, sugar and soda. It is a form of gin and tonic, to some extent.

Two stories have taken hold re the origins of the Tom Collins. The more likely one involves a 19th century London bartender named John Collins, who made a celebrated gin punch with Old Tom Gin and, probably saw the two names melded together over time. The American tale involves a fictitious, slandering gentleman who jokers would claim they had run into just around the corner, and who had bad-mouthed a friend. The friend would then head off on what appears a deeply unfunny, tame goose chase. We prefer the British version. Obviously.