Remember a few weeks ago how I mentioned I was going to start drinking like it was summer despite not feeling like summer? Well, *checks temperature* it’s 88 and humid so it’s definitely summer now. This calls for something light and crisp. This sounds like a job for the Collins. Not a Tom Collins. The Basic Collins. Recipe per the Waldorf Astoria Bar Book:
2 oz. Old Tom Gin
.75 oz. Fresh lemon juice
.5 oz. Simple syrup
2 oz. Chilled club soda
Add all ingredients except club soda to a mixing glass. Add ice and shake well. Strain into a Collins glass filled with large ice cubes. Top with chilled club soda and stir briefly to integrate. Garnish with a brandied cherry and/or citrus peel or slice (optional)
I subbed out the Old Tom (hence the regular Collins) for my stash of Bombay Sapphire as per usual. The Collins is a most definitely a summer drink. It is light, not overly boozy and very refreshing. Calling it not overly boozy is a bit of an understatement, as the gin is watered down (no pun intended) by the equal part club soda. However, I wouldn’t necessarily want this concoction to be heavy on the alcohol flavor. I will say it definitely needs a brandied cherry. I used a marashino as that is what I had on hand, and it added an unwelcome level of sweetness to it. A good brandied cherry (Luxardo perhaps) would be better for this application.
Another advantage the Collins has is that it is very customize-able. the Collins works well with brandy, rum, and even whiskey. Though for the latter, I would stick with bourbon over rye.
Overall, the Collins is suited for a hot and humid summer afternoon. Especially since it can easily be made with basically any spirit you happen to have on hand.
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I presume this is a breakfast drink
Zero judgement of anyone who has this in the morning.
Aren’t they all breakfast drinks?
After three of them it is anything you want it to be.
“I have concerns that this drink is actually poison…but I’m going to have one anyways. You know what, make that two.” – Susan C., Maine