The Tom Collins: The Highball That Defined Refreshment

Few cocktails embody effortless charm quite like the Tom Collins. Where some drinks impress with intensity or complexity, the Collins wins through clarity, brightness, and balance — a sparkling reminder that gin’s crisp botanical profile can shine in a tall, refreshing format. For enthusiasts in Phnom Penh discovering classic gin cocktails, the Tom Collins is a gateway to understanding how simplicity, when executed well, becomes sophistication.

A Brief, Spirited History

The Tom Collins emerged in the mid-19th century, a time when the highball style was beginning to shape drinking culture in Europe and America. Its origins are tied to the famed Jerry Thomas, often called the “father of American mixology.” In his 1876 bartender’s guide, Thomas recorded the earliest formal recipe for a gin-based Collins, building on earlier punches and sparkling refreshers.

But the drink’s name is linked to an odd moment in American history — the “Tom Collins Hoax of 1874.” During this short-lived prank, people would ask friends, “Have you seen Tom Collins?” and spin wild stories about a mysterious man spreading rumours about them. Bars capitalised on the joke, naming drinks after the fictional troublemaker. Although the hoax faded as quickly as it arrived, the cocktail endured for nearly 150 years, evolving into one of the world’s most recognisable tall gin drinks.

Today, the Tom Collins sits comfortably beside other foundational cocktails. Its structure helped define the modern highball category, influencing everything from spritz variations to citrus-forward summer drinks enjoyed throughout Asia.

Ingredients & Rationale

You will need:

• 60 ml (2 oz) premium dry gin — ideally citrus-forward. A Southeast Asian botanical gin pairs beautifully with this style.

• 22.5 ml (¾ oz) fresh lemon juice

• 15 ml (½ oz) simple syrup (adjust for sweetness)

• Soda water to top

• Ice: Tall Collins glass filled with clear ice cubes

• Garnish: Lemon wheel and optional maraschino cherry

The Tom Collins works because it highlights gin without overpowering it. Citrus-forward gins — particularly those featuring makrut lime, mandarin, or lemongrass — flourish in the presence of fresh lemon. The simple syrup balances the acidity without muting the spirit’s nuance. When topped with crisp soda water, the drink becomes a vibrant reminder of why highballs remain essential in balanced stirred drinks and shaken categories alike.

Service & Presentation

Begin by adding the gin, lemon juice, and syrup to a cocktail shaker. Shake briefly with ice — just enough to chill, not over-dilute. Strain into a chilled Collins glass filled with clear ice cubes. Top slowly with cold soda water, allowing the carbonation to rise through the drink rather than escape on impact.

A lemon wheel reinforces the drink’s aromatic brightness, while a maraschino cherry adds a nostalgic visual flourish. The tactile experience is key: effervescence, citrus oils on the nose, and the crisp bite of well-chilled gin all come together to create a refreshing yet structured cocktail. A Tom Collins should feel tall, clean, and uplifting — the sort of drink that suits warm evenings by the river, rooftop gatherings, or leisurely afternoons at home.

Interesting Notes & Cultural Touchpoints

One fascinating detail is that the Tom Collins became one of the first cocktails to be commercially bottled in the early 20th century, as soda companies experimented with ready-to-drink mixtures. While those versions rarely matched the freshness of a handmade Collins, they helped popularise the drink across the United States.

Another often-overlooked fact: the Collins family of cocktails — John Collins, Vodka Collins, Rum Collins, and beyond — all stem from the Tom Collins template. It is the backbone of the entire category, demonstrating how a simple structure can support endless creativity.

Conclusion

The enduring appeal of the Tom Collins lies in its purity. It is refreshment refined — a perfect balance of citrus, sweetness, gin, and effervescence. For the Mekong Gin Society community, it offers a canvas to explore regional gins, experiment with craft cocktail garnishes, and appreciate how the highball format reveals subtleties often overshadowed in richer or more bitter cocktails. Whether you’re elevating your home bar or introducing newcomers to the world of gin, the Tom Collins remains a timeless benchmark of impeccable simplicity and craftsmanship.