A Sparkling Gin Refresher Named for No One & Prepared Somewhat in the Style of the 19th Century |
Gin (photo by Álvaro Daniel González Lamarque, courtesy of morguefile.com)
The Tom Collins is a classic summer cocktail, “Ideal for hot weather” and “a pretty good, refreshing quaff” in the words of our friend and spirits expert Gary Regan. The drink has quite a lineage, dating back to the middle part of the 19th century.
Gary says the name of the classic punch drink was derived from John Collins, “the headwaiter at Limmer's, a tavern in London.” The name morphed into Tom Collins when a similar drink employed the use of Old Tom, a sweetened gin. Author David Wondrich, found reference to it in a magazine from 1904, where it said the “world-renowned beverage…was compounded of gin, soda water, ice, lemon and sugar."
Gary’s an avid reader of Wondrich, which is how he learned that other gin punches of the 19th century often contained maraschino liqueur. So informed, our intrepid mixologist couldn’t resist trying his hand at a modern re-imagining of the venerable classic. We think Gary’s come up with a wonderfully flavored punch, though we humbly suggest he consider a name that rolls more easily off the tongue, rather than, "A Sparkling Gin Refresher Named for No One & Prepared Somewhat in the Style of the 19th Century," especially after sipping a couple of thm. Still, “a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." So as Gary says, “Try this version of the Tom Collins if you will. Oh, how it will make you smile . . .”
Ingredients for 1 Drink
• 1 1/2 Ounces gin
• 1/2 Ounce maraschino liqueur
• 1/2 Ounce simple syrup
• 1/2 Ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 Dash orange bitters
• Club soda
• 1 Lemon twist, as garnish
Preparation
1. Fill a cocktail shaker two-thirds full of ice and add all of the ingredients save the club soda and garnish. Shake for approximately 15 seconds and strain into an ice-filled collins glass.
2. Add the club soda, stir briefly, add the garnish and serve.
If you’d like to purchase the book on spirits & cocktails that Gary Regan calls, “My Baby” go to: The Joy of Mixology: The Consummate Guide to the Bartender's Craft
If you’d like to purchase a terrific bartender’s guide authored by Gary's partner Mardee go to: The Bartender's Best Friend: A Complete Guide to Cocktails, Martinis, and Mixed Drinks
To visit Gary and Mardee’s wonderful web site and sign up for their very witty newsletter go to: Ardent Spirits
