Tom Collins (and his brothers John, Juan, and Vodka)

Collins glass

A Collins is where a lot of people start when they level up to legal drinking age, and when they begin to mix drinks for themselves and friends.  Why?  because it’s easy.  It’s made of familiar flavors and won’t require a special trip to the store.  It’s a pretty drink in a pretty glass — with a pretty slow hit on metabolism.  It’s fairly low calorie and low impact.  It won’t stain your clothes — or cause you to forget where you left them. (as long as you just drink one, anyway.)

And if you don’t like one distilled spirit’s flavor  in your collins, — just move down the list of “brothers” until you find the one that fits your taste buds!  A Collins is categorized as a “long” or “tall” drink — and the tall 10-12 oz cooler glass is commonly referred to as a “Collins Glass.”

1 1/2 oz distilled spirits

Tom Collins = gin
John Collins = bourbon or other whiskey
Juan Collins = tequila
Vodka Collins = too easy

Collins

1 oz lemon juice (or lime, or a mix)
3/4 oz simple syrup (or 2 t of sugar)
5 oz club soda
maraschino cherry
lemon slice
crushed ice

Combine spirits, juice and simple syrup/sugar in a shaker with 1 c crushed ice and shake vigorously.  Pour into a tall cooler (Collins glass) and top off with club soda.  Add a cherry and lemon slice(s) for garnish.
120 calories