Tom Collins:  A Prank Gave Birth To This Cocktail? 

By Sushmita Sengupta

The Prank 

In 1874, a massive prank was going around New York, where people told their friends that a man named Tom Collins was spreading dirty rumours about them in a nearby bar. 

The Pub's Response

Needless to say, people would go in search of Tom Collins in the said bar, and at first bartender was confused, but later on he decided to make these flustered people a refreshing gin-based cocktail. 

The Cocktail Created

And just like that, whoever landed in the pub in search of Tom Collins would drink this cocktail, and this is how Tom Collins-the cocktail came into being. 

Ingredients

60 ml London Dry Gin (or Old Tom) 30 ml- Simple Syrup ¾ ounce-Lemon Juice Soda Water, as required Lemon Wedge (for garnish) Cocktail Cherry (for garnish) 

Step 1

Shake gin, syrup and juice with ice for about 15 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled highball

Step 2

Top with soda water. Garnish with lemon wheel or wedge and a cherry