The history of Tom Collins might have started as a practical joke. Tom was supposed to be a load and burly man who sat in taverns in New York in the late 1800s badmouthing people. The victims were told by their friends about Mr Collins trying to slander them and were encouraged to find him. However, when going to the tavern asking the bartender for the non existent Tom Collins, they would instead receive the sour cocktail. The prank became known as The Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874.

This is probably just a good story though. More likely is that the Tom Collins started out as a John Collins, named after the head waiter at Limmer’s Hotel on Conduit Street in London where he worked during the 1870s and 80s. Limmer’s was famous from the early 1800s for being a buzzing place with great drinks. They were especially known fo their gin punch, essentially being the same thing as a Tom Collins. Originally Jenevera.k.a Holland Gin was used in the cocktail but when the customers started preferring the sweeter Old Tom Gin the theory is that they started asking for a Tom Collins rather than a John Collins.

After John and Tom there is now a whole family of Collins’s. Captain Collins (with Canadian Whisky), Colonel Collins (with Bourbon), Jack Collins (with Calvados), Sandy Collins (with Scotch), Joe Collins (with Vodka), Mike Collins (with Irish Whiskey), Pedro Collins (with Light Rum), Pepito Collins (with Tequila) and Pierre Collins (with Cognac).

The glass was designed in 1964 by the two brothers Pier Giacomo and Achille Castiglione and is called Splügen.

Tom Collins
2 parts Old Tom Gin
1 part Lemon juice
1/2 part Sugar syrup
1 1/2 part Club soda

Shake all but club soda and strain into ice filled glass. Garnish with a lemon wedge and a Maraschino cherry.

Enjoy!