The Tom Collins cocktail is the definitive refreshing drink and, for my money, the original “Skinny” cocktail before skinny became an obsession – I say that because gin, at 97 calories per 1-1/2 ounces is lower in calories than beer and wine, and the sparkling water used to top off a Tom Collins has zero calories. A touch of sugar and juice of lemon add brightness and sweet and sour notes that dance on the palate.
Classic Tom Collins Cocktail
Tom Collins is a long refreshing cocktail with a basic recipe that has led to many great drinks. It’s essentially a gin sour that’s been lengthened with soda water to make it a tall, refreshing drink. You can see the Tom Collins influence in a Cuba Libre (coke, rum, and lime), the Dark and Stormy (rum and ginger ale) or even the mojito (muddled mint, sugar, lime, rum, and soda) – almost like a rum Tom Collins with mint.
Factor in its intriguing history – gin is the oldest spirit and has had a history of being used “for medicinal purposes”, and you have the world’s most interesting spirit. The Royal Navy mixed gin with lime cordial to stop scurvy, and angostura settled the stomach at sea. Tonic water with quinine was anti-malarial, giving them a great excuse to drink more gin and tonics.
The Tom Collins itself has an interesting backstory. It takes its name from the Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874 and is a true classic. Brilliantly refreshing, this drink works perfectly with Bombay Sapphire.
Bombay Sapphire Distillery
Speaking of Bombay Sapphire, their distillery in Hampshire, England is at the top of my travel list (next time I find myself in London) especially now that the grounds of historical Laverstoke Mill boast a series of breathtaking Thomas Heatherwick glasshouses where the botanicals for their famous gin are grown.
The botanical glasshouses, designed by Thomas Heatherwick and Heatherwick Studios, taking center stage at Laverstoke Mill.
History of Gin
Even though Holland made gin first, gin is England’s national spirit and there are few things more English than a refreshing G & T (gin & tonic). Most of the well known gins you see around the world hail from the UK, so it is forgivable to think that the spirit first came from Britain. The English actually discovered gin when they were fighting the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century in Holland and saw Dutch soldiers drinking Jenever to boost morale before heading into battle. The term “Dutch Courage” was born, and the English brought the idea of making and drinking gin back with them. It would take another 150 years before they would have their own version. {Source: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Gin, by Simon Ford}
From its earliest origins in the Middle Ages – in 1269, the first major mention of juniper-based health-related tonics appeared in a Dutch publication; gin has evolved from a herbal medicine to the most popular spirit for cocktails – yes, way before vodka. In fact, a martini means gin, dry vermouth and optional bitters; vodka didn’t become popular until the era of the three martini lunch when Smirnoff released a very clever campaign, “Vodka leaves you breathless,” which, combined with the iconic phrase “shaken not stirred” uttered by the ultra-cool James Bond, helped to hijack gin’s place in the iconic cocktail.
Gin is meant to be mixed as the botanicals (juniper berries being the predominant flavor, plus herbs, spices etc.) come to life in cocktails and add complexity to the drink. This is why so many classic cocktails call for gin. You can drink tequila and mezcal as shots, and vodka is served chilled with food (zakuski) in its native land. Bourbon, rye and whiskey drinkers might add some ice or a splash of water.
There are more classic cocktails made with gin than with any other spirit: Negroni, Ramos Gin Fizz, Martinez, Gin Rickey, Red Snapper, Tom Collins, White Lady, Hanky Panky, Clover Club, Alexander, French 75, Gimlet, Vesper, Singapore Sling, Silver Bronx, Pegu Club, Bee’s Knees, and the Southside, among others!
Darn, that ice melted quickly – I just ordered these Acrylic Ice Cubes so I won’t have that problem any more!
If you’re traveling to London, plan an excursion to the Bombay Sapphire distillery at Laverstoke Mill in nearby Hampshire. See how modern redevelopment, informed by a commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility, preserved the natural beauty and heritage of a site whose history goes back to 903 AD.
Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire, England
“On weekdays between October 1st and March 31st the distillery runs hosted experiences at Laverstoke Mill. Explore the Bombay Sapphire Distillery with one of our distillery hosts who will be on hand to answer any questions and guide you through the site. Discover the ten exotic botanicals infused into every drop of Bombay Sapphire Gin in the Glasshouses with an insight into Thomas Heatherwick’s inspired design. Our host and resident Gin Expert will then help you uncover the Botanical Dry Room, a real sensory experience to uncover your preferred flavour palate. You’ll go behind the scenes of the unique Vapour Infusion distillation process in the Dakin Still House before your host leaves you to enjoy a drink ‘on the house’ in the Mill Bar.”
Meanwhile, enjoy this berry-licious rendition of the classic Tom Collins and, if you’re stuck in the snowy white madness named Winter Storm Neptune or Winter Storm Octavia, close your eyes and sip, dream of daffodils and sunny days.
Blackberry and Meyer Lemon Tom Collins
- 2 ounces Bombay Sapphire gin
- Juice of half a Meyer lemon regular lemon may be substituted
- 3 blackberries
- 1 teaspoon Truvia*
- 2 ounces soda water
- Wedge of lemon and 2 blackberries
- Stem of lemongrass optional
-
Muddle 3 blackberries with the Truvia or castor sugar (ultra fine granulated sugar) in a tall glass or in a separate bowl, add the lemon juice. Spoon into the glass if you used a bowl or mortar and pestle. Add the Bombay Sapphire, then fill the glass with ice and top off with soda water. Stir gently. Garnish with lemon and blackberries.
Purists will want to use castor sugar, I used Truvia baking blend which is a sugar substitute that contains real sugar, ‎erythritol, and stevia extract. One teaspoon of Truvia has the sweetness of 2 teaspoons of sugar (which you should use, if using regular or castor sugar) and only 10 calories - making this cocktail even "skinnier".
Meyer lemons are in season now - they are not as tart, have a smooth skin and are more orange in color than regular lemons.
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sippitysup
Yes gin. Sometimes bourbon, but mostly gin. GREG
Amanda
This is actually really good!! I did not have soda water so I used ginger ale but it was so easy to make and even easier to drink. Thanks!!! Super smooth, dangerously so.