Sharkbait’s Cocktail of the Week: The Basic Collins

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.

(Banner image found here)