10 Tom Collins Variations: Twists on the Classic Gin Cocktail
Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Tom Collins is a classic cocktail with a refreshing zing loved by many. But as a mixologist, I’ve enjoyed putting spins on this classic cocktail.
If you want to explore different Tom Collins variations, check out my top recommendations below.
Top 10 Tom Collins Cocktail Recipes
1. Raspberry Collins Cocktail
The Raspberry Collins is one of the refreshingly sweet and tangy Collins cocktails that delights the palate with a berry-licious flavor.
“Stirring up a Tom Collins stirs up cocktail legend.” – Liquor Laboratory
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz Empress gin
- 1oz lemon juice
- 1oz raspberry syrup
- Soda water (or grapefruit soda)
- Fresh raspberries
Instructions: Shake gin, lemon juice, and raspberry syrup with ice. Strain into a Collins glass over ice, top with soda water, and top with fresh raspberries.
(Note: You can craft your own simple syrup, which can last for up to two weeks, as long as stored in a closed container, like a mason jar.)
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★★
2. Pear & Elderflower Collins Cocktail
Sweet pear and fragrant elderflower add a delightful twist to the classic Tom Collins recipe, making this variation a refined refreshment.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 4oz London dry gin
- 2oz lime juice
- 2oz pear juice
- 1oz elderflower liqueur
- Club soda
- Pear slice
Instructions: Combine gin, juices, and elderflower liqueur in a shaker with ice. Shake, strain into ice-filled Collins glasses, top with soda, and garnish with a pear slice.
Serving: 2
Star Rating: ★★★★★
3. Cucumber & Rose Collins Cocktail
Refreshing with a floral hint, this Collins-style cocktail is perfect for garden parties and spring sipping.
Prep Time: 7 mins
Total Time: 7 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz gin
- 1oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.75oz rose syrup
- cucumber slices
- sparkling water
Instructions: Muddle cucumber slices with the juice and rose syrup. Add gin and ice, and shake well. Strain into a Collins glass filled with icicles, top with sparkling water, and garnish with a cucumber slice.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
4. Phil Collins Cocktail
Like Pierre Collins (Brandy Collins), the Phil Collins is one of my favorite Collins-style cocktails because of its gentle cinnamon warmth that perfectly complements those cooler evenings.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz Hendrick’s gin
- 1oz fresh lemon juice
- 1oz simple syrup
- Carbonated water
- 1-dash cinnamon syrup
- Lemon slice
Instructions: Combine gin, juice, simple syrup, and cinnamon syrup in a shaker with icicles. Shake, pour into a tall glass full of icicles, top with carbonated water [1], and garnish with a lemon slice.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
5. John Collins Cocktail
A cousin of the classic Tom Collins cocktail, the John Collins features the signature Holland gin, giving a warmer, deeper flavor profile that any gin lover will find irresistible.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz Holland gin (or Old Tom gin)
- 1oz lime juice
- 1oz simple syrup
- Plain soda water
- Maraschino cherry and orange slice
Instructions: In a shaker, combine gin, lime juice, and syrup over ice. Shake gently and pour over fresh ice into a Collins glass. Pour soda on top and garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
6. Mike Collins Cocktail
The Michael Collins cocktail is a nod to the Irish, with whiskey taking center stage, bringing a robust and hearty twist to the classic Collins recipe.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz Irish whiskey
- 1oz lemon juice
- 1oz simple syrup
- Soda water
- Lemon twist and cocktail cherry
Instructions: Mix Irish whiskey, lemon juice, and simple syrup in a shaker with ice. Shake well, filter into a Collins glass over ice, top with soda, and garnish with a lemon twist and cocktail cherry.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
7. Joan Collins Cocktail
Unlike Vodka Collins and Joe Collins, Joan Collins boasts a soft pink hue, which perfectly captures the quintessential lifestyle of Joan Collins.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 1/2 lemon wedge
- 2-slices cucumber
- 2-fresh mint leaves
- 2oz vodka
- Carbonated water
- 0.75oz honey-hibiscus syrup (or sugar syrup)
- Cucumber or lemon wheel
Instructions: Muddle lemon, cucumber, and mint in a shaker. Pour syrup and vodka over fresh ice; shake vigorously. Strain in a tall glass, top with water, and garnish with cucumber or lemon wheel.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
8. Rum Collins Cocktail
Substituting gin with light white rum, this refreshing cocktail gives a tropical take that will whisk you away to sandy beaches and sunny skies.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz white rum
- 1oz lemon juice
- 1oz simple syrup
- Club soda
- Lime wheel
Instructions: Shake white rum, lemon juice, and simple syrup with icicles. Filter into a Collins glass full of fresh ice, pour soda on top, and garnish with a lime wheel.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
9. Ron Collins Cocktail
A Spanish twist on the classic Collins recipe, the Ron Collins uses aged rum for a deeper, more caramelized flavor that’s utterly sippable.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz aged rum
- 1oz lemon juice
- 1oz simple syrup
- Soda water
- Lime wheel
Instructions: Shake aged rum, lemon juice, and simple syrup with ice. Strain into a Collins glass over ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a lime wheel.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
10. Bootsy Collins Cocktail
The Bootsy Collins is a Collins-style cocktail that uses vodka instead of gin [2], like the Vodka Collins and Joe Collins. It’s citrusy with a bittersweet edge, an ideal twist on the classic Tom Collins.
“Drinking a Tom Collins is like tasting history—one sip at a time.” – Dale DeGroff, American Bartender
Prep Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 5 mins
Ingredients:
- 2oz vodka
- 1oz lime juice
- 1oz simple syrup
- Club soda
- 1-dash orange bitters
- Orange slice
Instructions: Mix vodka, lime juice, and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with icicles. Shake well and pour into an icicle-filled glass. Top with club soda and orange bitters, and garnish with an orange slice.
Serving: 1
Star Rating: ★★★☆☆
Fun Fact: Collins morphed from the 19th-century gin punch, which a man named Tom Collins is famous for. The first printed recipe appeared in the 1862 classic, “The Bartender’s Guide” by Jerry Thomas.
Note: The overall enjoyment rating was determined during a blind taste and based on every cocktail’s flavor balance, aroma, smoothness, ingredients quality, and ABV.
FAQs
What is the difference between a Tom Collins and a John Collins?
The main difference between Tom Collins and John Collins is their spirits, though both come from the Collins family.
A Tom Collins [3] is traditionally made with Old Tom gin, while a John Collins can be made with bourbon whiskey, Scotch whisky (like Sandy Collins), or Canadian whisky, offering a richer taste.
What is the other name for Tom Collins?
The other name for Tom Collins is John Collins for some drinkers since both came from the Collins family, giving similar flavor profiles.
But for the record, Tom Collins is one of the popular gin cocktails that became iconic as the 1874 Great Tom Collins hoax [4].
What gin is best for Tom Collins?
The best gin for Tom Collins could be the London Dry Gin or the Old Tom Gin for their crisp, juniper-led character that balances the sweet and sour cocktail components perfectly.
What food pairs well with Tom Collins?
Tom Collins pairs well with light appetizers or seafood like oysters and shrimp, complementing the refreshing notes of citrus fruits a Tom Collins exudes.
Key Takeaways
Whether you fancy the timeless charm of a traditional Tom Collins or yearn for something with a bit more flair, like a Raspberry Collins to the Bootsy Collins, there’s a variation for every palate.
Remember, the key to a great cocktail lies in the quality of ingredients and the love put into making it. So grab your shaker and explore these Tom Collins variations.
Note: Some variations that didn’t make the cut but are still recommendable are Juan Collins, Pepito Collins, and Pierre Collins (Brandy Collins).
References:
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/carbonated-water
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/gin
- https://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/the-tom-collins-is-a-seriously-classic-cocktail-but-its-origin-is-a-joke/
- https://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-tom-collins-got-its-name-2013-7
