Among the countless cocktails I’ve had the pleasure of serving as a bartender, one drink remains consistently popular: the Collins Cocktail. Its enduring appeal lies in its refreshing and fizzy qualities, making it perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re enjoying a night out at a bar, celebrating with friends at a party, or simply unwinding at home, the Collins Cocktail is an excellent choice to quench your thirst.
The Collins Cocktail has been a staple of cocktail menus for over a century, and its timeless appeal can be attributed to its simplicity and versatility. A good Collins Cocktail relies on a combination of factors: fresh ingredients, precise technique, and creative presentation. I’ve experimented with various recipes during my time as a bartender, and the best results are achieved when all three elements come together.
In this blog post, I’ll share some exceptional Collins Cocktail recipes that have caught my attention over the years. From the classic Tom Collins to innovative creations like the Watermelon Collins, there’s a Collins Cocktail to suit every taste. So, sit back, relax, and get ready to discover the best Collins Cocktail recipes you can easily make at home.
Tom Collins
Naturally, Tom Collins is a timeless classic among cocktails, crafted with gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda to create a delightful fusion of flavors. This refreshing and thirst-quenching drink is visually appealing in a Collins glass, making it an ideal choice for warm weather gatherings or outdoor events.
The unique sweet and sour taste profile is perfectly balanced by the hint of bitterness from the gin, while the lemon juice adds a revitalizing tartness that harmonizes with the sweetness of the simple syrup, making Tom Collins an effortless yet satisfying summer drink to enjoy.
Bombay Sapphire Blackberry and Meyer Lemon Tom Collins
Notably, the Bombay Sapphire Blackberry and Meyer Lemon Tom Collins stands out as a unique take on the classic Tom Collins cocktail. By incorporating blackberry puree and Meyer lemon juice into the traditional gin-based recipe, this refreshing drink offers a sweet and tangy flavor profile that is sure to appeal to those who crave a fruity twist on their cocktails.
The addition of sparkling water not only adds a delightful fizz but also provides a revitalizing contrast to the richness of the gin, making it an ideal choice for sipping on a warm summer day. What’s more, the rich history behind Bombay Sapphire and its distillery adds another layer of depth to this intriguing cocktail, making it a must-try for those looking to elevate their Collins Cocktail game.
Classic Tom Collins Cocktail
Elevating your summer drinking game just got easier with the Classic Tom Collins Cocktail, a tangy and refreshing drink that’s perfect for hot days. This timeless classic is made with lemon, gin, simple syrup, and club soda, which come together to create a fizzy concoction that’s sure to quench your thirst. The beauty of the Tom Collins lies in its simplicity – it’s incredibly easy to make and can be tailored to your taste preferences by substituting Sprite or Gingerale for the club soda.
Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail connoisseur or just looking to try something new, the Tom Collins is definitely worth trying.
Tom Collins Cocktail
Beyond its classic status, the Tom Collins Cocktail remains a timeless favorite among gin enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike. This iconic drink’s simplicity and elegance make it an excellent choice for any occasion, from social gatherings to relaxation after work. Its refreshing taste is attributed to the perfect balance of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. The origin story behind this cocktail is as intriguing as its flavor profile.
In the 1870s, a prank was played on people where they were told that someone named Tom Collins was spreading rumors about them. This harmless joke led to the birth of the Tom Collins Cocktail, which has since become a staple in many bars and homes. While it’s impossible to find the original Old Tom gin, its spirit lives on through various distilleries that have created their own versions of this classic recipe.
If you’re seeking a revitalizing cocktail experience, look no further than the Tom Collins Cocktail. With its light and zesty taste, it’s an ideal choice for those who enjoy a refreshing drink without sacrificing flavor.
Vodka Collins
Generally speaking, the Vodka Collins is a perfect cocktail for any occasion, whether it be happy hour or brunch. Its well-balanced combination of vodka, fresh orange and lemon juice, simple syrup, and a splash of club soda creates a refreshing and citrusy taste experience that’s sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate. The best part? It’s incredibly easy to make, requiring no complicated ingredients or liquors, making it an ideal choice for those who want a quick and effortless drink.
This versatile cocktail is also a great addition to any party or gathering, and is likely to impress your guests with its delightful taste and revitalizing qualities. So why not give the Vodka Collins a try and discover for yourself why it’s one of the best Collins Cocktail recipes out there?
Basil-Infused Tom Collins Cocktail
Elevate your cocktail game with the Basil-Infused Tom Collins Cocktail, a revitalizing twist on the classic Tom Collins recipe. This delectable drink is ideal for those seeking a sophisticated addition to their solo evenings or for hosts looking to impress their guests at social gatherings. The basil infusion brings an extra layer of subtle, herbaceous flavor to the cocktail, making it a truly unique and delightful experience.
The taste is subtly sweet with a hint of tartness, making it perfectly suited for scorching summer days. As you raise the glass, the aroma releases hints of juniper and citrus, while the feel on the tongue is light and revitalizing. Overall, the Basil-Infused Tom Collins Cocktail remains a timeless classic that continues to captivate cocktail enthusiasts around the world.
Cucumber Collins
Year after year, the classic Tom Collins Cocktail recipe has remained a timeless favorite among mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts alike. However, with the introduction of modern twists and creative flavor combinations, the original recipe has been given a revitalizing makeover in the form of the Cucumber Collins.
This refreshing twist on the classic is perfect for those warm summer evenings when you want a fizzy drink to cool you down, and its unique blend of flavors will leave you wanting more. The cocktail is made with gin, lemon, sugar syrup, soda water, and pureed cucumber, which not only adds a fresh and delicious flavor but also provides a delightful textural element.
The drink’s simplicity makes it accessible for any occasion, whether you’re hosting a party or just want a refreshing pick-me-up on a warm summer night. If you’re looking for a unique and revitalizing cocktail that will quench your thirst and tantalize your taste buds, the Cucumber Collins is definitely worth a try.
Meyer Lemon Tom Collins
Zeroing in on a refreshing twist, the Meyer Lemon Tom Collins cocktail stands out as an innovative take on the traditional Tom Collins. With its delicate balance of gin, Meyer lemon juice, and sugar, this drink offers a taste experience that’s both tangy and subtly sweet. The distinctive flavor profile is thanks to the Meyer lemons, which are a result of cross-breeding between regular lemons and mandarin oranges, infusing the cocktail with a unique and aromatic essence.
The addition of soda water adds a delightful effervescence, making it an excellent choice for sizzling summer afternoons. If gin isn’t your preferred spirit, you can easily swap it out for vodka, allowing you to experiment with different flavors while still enjoying the essence of this revitalizing cocktail. For those seeking a new spin on a timeless classic, the Meyer Lemon Tom Collins is definitely worth trying.
Lavender Tom Collins
Beyond the realm of traditional cocktails, the Lavender Tom Collins offers a soothing and revitalizing twist that’s perfect for sipping on a warm summer evening. The infusion of homemade lavender simple syrup adds an understated yet distinct floral note to this classic cocktail, providing a unique flavor experience that’s both calming and refreshing. Its light and citrusy profile makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a fizzy drink that won’t overpower the palate.
The Lavender Tom Collins is remarkably easy to prepare, and its effortless drinking quality only adds to its allure, making it an exceptional addition to any cocktail collection.
Rosemary Collins
Yearning for something new and exciting to quench your thirst on a warm summer afternoon? Look no further than the Rosemary Collins cocktail! This innovative twist on the classic Tom Collins adds a delightful and refreshing touch with its unique combination of flavors. The subtle herbaceousness of rosemary simple syrup perfectly complements the crispness of gin, the brightness of lemon, and a hint of sweetness from sugar.
When crafted to perfection, this cocktail strikes the ideal balance between bold and delicate, making it an excellent choice for those seeking to elevate their summer drink repertoire.
Grapefruit Strawberry Collins
Gathering inspiration from the classic Tom Collins cocktail, bartenders have created a fruity and revitalizing spin known as the Grapefruit Strawberry Collins. This innovative drink features grapefruit-infused vodka and muddled strawberries, which combine to create a unique and mouth-watering flavor profile.
What sets this cocktail apart is the utilization of every part of the grapefruit, from the infused vodka to the candied peel garnish, adding an extra layer of depth and complexity to each sip.
The Backyard Collins
Lightly infused with the essence of rosemary, The Backyard Collins offers a unique twist on the classic Tom Collins cocktail. This refreshing drink was created by Genevieve Brazelton, a seasoned bartender and founder of The Bitter Housewife bitters, who cleverly combined a citrus-rosemary simple syrup with her own Cardamom Bitters to create a harmonious balance of flavors.
A touch of spice from the cardamom complements the zesty citrus notes, resulting in a well-rounded and revitalizing cocktail that won’t overpower even the most delicate palates. Perfect for hot summer days, The Backyard Collins is an ideal choice for those seeking a lighter, yet satisfying drink to enjoy on their front porch or backyard.
Fresh Strawberry Tom Collins
Merging classic flavors with fresh ingredients, the Fresh Strawberry Tom Collins cocktail offers a unique twist on the traditional Tom Collins recipe. By incorporating homemade strawberry puree sweetened with agave nectar and a squeeze of lime juice, this refreshing drink stands out from its predecessors. The subtle flavor profile is achieved by mixing the puree with gin and club soda, creating an expertly balanced concoction.
Served in a tall Collins glass, this revitalizing cocktail is an ideal choice for warm summer days or any occasion when a light and fruity drink is desired. Whether you’re seeking to innovate your go-to gin cocktails or simply looking to try something new, the Fresh Strawberry Tom Collins is undoubtedly worth a taste.
Pear Collins Cocktail
Among the many variations of the classic Tom Collins cocktail, the Pear Collins stands out as a refreshing and floral twist that’s perfect for those who crave real fruit over sugary drinks. The key to this cocktail lies in its homemade pear puree, carefully crafted with just a touch of honey and lemon juice to add a unique sweetness without overpowering the other flavors.
The botanical notes of gin are elegantly highlighted by the fresh thyme sprig garnish, adding an herbaceous note that complements the pear perfectly. The best part about this cocktail is its simplicity – it’s easy to make ahead and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it a great option for special occasions or gatherings.
If you’re looking for a fall-inspired cocktail with a twist, the Pear Collins Cocktail is definitely worth trying, offering a delightful balance of flavors that will leave you wanting more.
Rose and Cucumber Collins
Savoring the essence of summer, the Rose and Cucumber Collins is an undeniably refreshing and delicate cocktail that’s perfect for those warm evenings when you want to unwind. This revitalizing drink combines a homemade rosewater syrup with the subtle floral notes of cucumber and the aromatic flavor of gin, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. The recipe offers a mocktail version as well, catering to those who prefer a non-alcoholic option.
A must-try for anyone who appreciates light and perfumed drinks, the Rose and Cucumber Collins is sure to transport you to a state of serenity.
Blood Orange Spritzer
Generally considered a twist on the classic Tom Collins cocktail, the Blood Orange Spritzer offers a refreshing alternative. Made with either gin or vodka, this revitalizing cocktail combines blood orange and bitters in place of traditional lemon juice, creating an exciting flavor profile that’s sure to satisfy. The non-alcoholic version is equally delightful, pairing bubbles and fruit juice with a touch of simple syrup to balance out the flavors.
The drink can be served in a variety of glasses, including a Collins glass or highball glass, but ultimately any glass will suffice. With its light and refreshing taste, the Blood Orange Spritzer is an ideal choice for those seeking a revitalizing cocktail that’s easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a casual gathering or a more formal event.
Limoncello Gin Collins
When it comes to refreshing summer cocktails, few recipes can match the charm of the Limoncello Gin Collins. This revitalizing twist on the classic Tom Collins cocktail boasts an unmistakable lemon flavor that’s expertly balanced by a hint of mint from the addition of limoncello and mint simple syrup. The delightful fizziness and light texture make it an ideal choice for sipping on a sweltering summer day, providing a cooling respite from the heat.
Vampire Collins Cocktail
Perfect for those who love a good mix of spooky and sophistication, the Vampire Collins Cocktail is an intriguing twist on the classic Tom Collins cocktail. This eerie drink is sure to cast a spell on your guests at any Halloween party, making it an ideal choice for the occasion. The unique combination of gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda gets an added boost from raspberry puree, giving the drink its distinctive blood-red hue that’s sure to turn heads.
Rose Hibiscus Tom Collins Cocktail
Gently crafting a signature cocktail for a special occasion can be a delightful experience. One such recipe that stands out is the Rose Hibiscus Tom Collins Cocktail, perfect for romantic celebrations like Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day. The twist on this classic drink lies in the addition of rose and hibiscus syrup, which infuses the cocktail with floral notes and pairs well with a pink gin. This unique flavor combination is sure to tantalize your taste buds. The best part?
The syrup can be prepared in just a few minutes and yields enough for at least 10 cocktails, making it a convenient choice for any gathering that ends in ‘y’. To add an extra touch of elegance, the cocktail is garnished with a delicate rose petal, turning this drink into a stunning visual treat.
The harmony of flavors in this Rose Hibiscus Tom Collins Cocktail is nothing short of exceptional, offering a refreshing and floral experience that’s sure to please anyone who appreciates fruity and fragrant drinks.
Honey Tangerine Collins Cocktail
Versatile and refreshing, the Honey Tangerine Collins Cocktail offers a delightful twist on the classic Tom Collins cocktail. Its unique blend of sweet tangerine juice, lemon juice, gin, simple syrup, and soda water makes it an ideal choice for those who appreciate sweet and tangy flavors in their cocktails. Whether you’re enjoying a warm summer evening or a crisp winter day, this citrus-forward drink is sure to please.
With its perfect balance of sweetness and acidity, the Honey Tangerine Collins Cocktail is a must-try for anyone looking to explore new citrus-based cocktail recipes.
