Named after a famous hoax from 1874, The Tom Collins cocktail has easily become one of the most iconic gin cocktails around. And while I’m not one to often mess with the classics, I think it’s nice to sometimes add a spin. Especially if that spin that doesn’t effect the original version, but only enhances it. That my friends is how I came to know the refreshing Cucumber Collins as shown here. But before I dive into my Minty, Cucumber Collins spin, first lets talk about this Tom Collins hoax.
According to The Gin Foundry, “the story of the hoax goes something like… Tom Collins was a loud and boisterous man who was known to sit in taverns and talk harshly of nearly everyone he’d met, or in many cases, those he hadn’t. Fortunately for those who fell victim to Collins’ wrath, they had good friends who would immediately find their friend and let them know of all the profanity directed towards them. The victim was then encouraged to find Collins and confront him. However, when the victim went to the tavern where Collins was meant to be, he was nowhere to be found (because Tom Collins did not exist). It was then that those desperately looking for their revenge would ask at the bar for Tom Collins, and instead receive the sour cocktail.”
This hoax made it’s way around New York and beyond, with even the newspapers writing all about it. And while I can’t imagine what would happen each time an enraged person was handed a Tom Collins cocktail rather than meeting an actual Tom Collins, I am thankful it produced such a fantastic cocktail.
Your classic Tom Collins consists of gin, lemon, plenty of simple syrup or sugar, and ice. And if I’m being honest reminds me of a boozy lemonade, which I love, but typically has too much sugar for me to have more than one. This led me to thinking of how to make the Tom Collins a bit less sugary, and a bit more refreshing. Easy; insert fresh cucumber, fresh mint, club soda, and you have the Cucumber Collins.
As easy to make as it is beautiful to look at, this refreshing spin on an iconic cocktail will be one I promise you’ll be drinking all summer long. Click through/below to find the recipe, and Cheers! Truly, MKR
P.S. You could also use lemon, mint cucumber gin to enhance the flavor and if you’re going to go that route you definitely need to check out the WOMH infusion kits!
- 2-3 fresh cucumber slices plus more for garnish
- 1-2 stems of fresh mint, plus more for garnish
- 2 ounces gin (you can use cucumber gin if you prefer)
- 1/2-1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Club Soda
- Ice
- Add cucumber slices, 1 mint stem and gin to a cocktail shaker, muddle lightly.
- Add citrus juice, and ice to shaker.
- Shake, shake, shake
- Strain into a high ball glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water, and taste. Add desired sweetener till it's at a sweetness level you like, lightly stir.
- garnish as desired and enjoy.
- I chose to garnish my Cucumber Collins by wrapping a thin cucumber slice around the glass. Do this before adding the ice and cocktail.
