It’s time we thank this guy Mr. Collins for inspiring bartenders around the world.
There are many variations of this famous drink, but we love this one for the fresh addition of lavender. A member of the mint family, lavender adds a fresh, floral flavor to your simple syrup. Perfect for your first patio party of the year, Mother’s Day brunch or after work cool down. Serve in a tumbler or martini glass and raise your glass to Tom.
Recipe: Tom Collins with Meyer Lemon & Lavender
Ingredients
For the Simple Syrup:
1 1/4 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 bunch lavender, buds, stems and leaves (or 3 Tb. dried culinary buds)
For each Tom Collins Cocktail:
1 oz. lavender simple syrup
1 oz. Meyer lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon)
2 oz. good gin
ice
club soda
Directions
Heat the water, sugar and lavender in a small pot of high heat. Bring to a low boil, then cover and remove from heat. Allow the simple syrup to steep for 20 minutes. Pour through a sieve to remove the lavender. Place in the the fridge until ready for use.
For each cocktail: Fill a glass half way with ice. Pour the simple syrup, lemon juice and gin over ice. Stir, then top with club soda.
For a martini-style Tom Collins: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add the simple syrup, lemon and gin. Cover and shake for 30-60 seconds, until frothy. Pour into a martini glass and add 1-2 oz. of club soda.
Prepping Your Bar
Having the right glass for cocktail hour is really up to you. The pure mixologist will steer you towards specific stems and highballs, but we say, serve it up in what you love. If you like your drinks on the rocks, a highball is the right choice. If you prefer shaken, not stirred, then a classic cocktail stem is an invaluable collection to have on-hand. There’s a mental shift that happens when you own a solid bar collection…you entertain more often! A solid collection in highballs, tumblers, cocktail glasses and bar accessories, gives you the freedom and desire to entertain. It becomes something you want to share.
