Make me a . . . Tom Collins

By Chris Sherman, Times staff writer
Published August 22, 2007

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This is a fabulous drink for summer, especially for those discomforted by the quinine in a gin and tonic. Ask for a Tom Collins instead - sweet, sour and sparkle in a thousand variations starting with gin, lemon or lime, club soda and sometimes sugar. It's mixed in many proportions, shaken, stirred, or abetted by lemon-lime soda. In weather like this, don't sweat the small stuff; whatever the ratios, a Tom Collins is cold and kicky.

History

Tom Collins' identity and nationality have been claimed by many, but the best story is that it came from an early English gin called Old Tom.

Unlike today's dry gins, Old Tom was sweetened with sugar, and its namesake wasn't human. The best part of the story is that a keeper of a gin joint fashioned a pipe from the bar through the wall so that passers-by could get a drink on the street for a few coppers. He put the face of a tom cat around the spigots. The first drive-through!

The Collins surname has many claimants.

Today

We got our drink from Frank Alfano at Alfano's Italian Restaurant, a Belleair landmark for more 20 years. Alfano gives naming credit to John Collins, a waiter at Limmer's Hotel and Coffee House in London's Hanover Square centuries ago. Beware asking for "John Collins," though. That's a whiskey drink. A Pedro Collins is made with tequila.

Alfano's makes its Tom Collins tart and holds the sugar.

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MIX IT UP
Tom Collins

3 ounces Bombay Sapphire gin
Juice of one lemon
Ice
Club soda
Orange wedge and cherry for garnish

Shake gin and lemon juice, pour over ice. Top with club soda, garnish with orange wedge.

Tip: A tall narrow glass is so classic, it's often called a Collins glass.