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Meet Tom Collins ...A Member of a Family
A Real Restaurant Drink Recipe
One of the things my mother and mother-in-law have in common
is their love for Tom ...a Tom Collins that is.
It is one of their favorite restaurant drink recipes when we are
having a family get together.
It is a widely popular socializing beverage. Sip and enjoy the taste
and the conversation.
Tom is part of another family, as well. Tom is a gin based beverage so his closest relative is the
Vodka Collins, but there is also a Brandy Collins, a John Collins (bourbon), Mike Collins (Irish
whiskey), Jack (Applejack), Pedro (rum), and Sandy or Jock Collins (Scotch).
No one is certain where Tom was born although it is believed he was created in the late 19th
century. Australia and England both say they were Tom's birthplace. America, particularly the
city of San Francisco, claims Tom started there. I don't believe we'll ever know for sure. Sorry,
Tom.
Tom was so popular in America at one point, a glass was named after him; the Collins glass, tall
and narrow. He should be served in his namesake.
Tom Collins Recipe
A Real Restaurant Recipe
Preparation time: 1-2 minutes. Serves 1.
Measurement Conversion Table
Ingredients:
2 ounces gin (dry is preferred)
1ounce lemon juice (best if fresh squeezed)
1 teaspoon sugar
3 ounces club soda
Ice
Lemon slice or twist (East Coast orange slice and sometimes a Maraschino cherry)
Instructions:
Mix gin, lemon juice and sugar with ice in a shaker (shake well)
Strain into a Collins glass nearly filled with ice
Add club soda
Garnish with a lemon slice and serve
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