Tom Collins

The Tom Collins is a variation on a Gin Sour, however genuine Old Tom Gin is the "Tom" behind the Classic Tom Collins, rather than London Dry. The Old Tom style is the last remaining example of the original lightly sweetened Gins that were so popular in 18th and 19th century England. The name comes from what may be the first example of a beverage vending machine. In the 1700's some pubs in England would have a wooden plaque shaped like a black cat (an 'Old Tom') mounted on the outside wall. Thirsty passersby would deposit a penny in the cat's mouth and place their lips around a small tube between the cat's paws. The bartender inside would then pour a shot of Gin through the tube and into the customer's waiting mouth. Until fairly recently limited quantities of Old Tom-style Gin were still being made by a few British distillers, but they were, at best, curiosity items. Hayman's Old Tom Gin is an exception.
The Tom Collins is extremely simple to make:

If you haven't got any Old Tom Gin, you can use the following formula:

• 60 ml London Dry Gin
• 30ml lemon juice
• 1 tsp of super fine sugar
• 90ml Soda Water
  
  
• Method:In a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar. Shake well. Strain into a collins (or highgball) glass almost filled with ice cubes. Add the club soda. Stir and garnish with a red cherry and an orange slice.