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Even though the 2020 college football season is uncertain, that doesn’t mean that you can’t tailgate at home. For all you FSU fans out there, here’s a version of the classic Tom Collins that you can drink whilst tomahawk chopping to your hearts content. The Tom(ahawk) Collins mixes gin and lemon juice with cranberry juice and cherry syrup to give it a shade of FSU garnet. It uses local Florida Gin so you can help support local Florida distilleries. Our favorite Florida Gins are Magic City Gin from Big Cypress Distillery, New World Gin from St. Augustine Distillery and Old St. Pete Tropical Gin from St. Petersburg Distillery. Support local and enjoy your Tom(ahawk) Collins. Go Noles!
What Ingredients Do I Need for a Tom(ahawk) Collins?
The Alcohol
The Gin: Florida distills some fantastic gins, so use your favorite local gin for this recipe. As a Tom Collins has a big punch of lemon, more citrus forward gins go particularly well. One of our favorites is Magic City Gin from Big Cypress Distillery. This gem of a gin has plenty of the usual juniper and citrus that you would expect, but also brings in a note of vanilla-marzipan that plays delightfully with the cherry. Another great option is the velvety smooth New World Gin from St. Augustine Distillery. If you’ve been on their tour, then you will have heard them say that this is a gin, even for people that don’t like gin. This is because it is super mellow and is more subtle with the juniper. Finally, another good option is Old St. Pete Tropical Gin from St. Petersburg Distillery which goes heavy on the citrus with plenty of orange, lemon and grapefruit notes.
Recommended Florida Gin:
- Magic City Gin- Big Cypress Distillery
- New World Gin- St. Augustine Distillery
- Old St. Pete Tropical Gin- St. Petersburg Distillery
Get Magic City Gin delivered by DRIZLY. Click and use code DRIZLYDEAL for $5 off of your first order.
The Mixers
The Citrus:
Fresh Lemon Juice: Most US lemon is farmed out west in California, but there are around 600 acres of lemon groves right here in the south of Florida. (Compared to the 500,000 acres we have for growing oranges and grapefruits, that’s a drop in the ocean!) If your local store or market sells Florida lemons, then great- if not you may have to make do with lemons from our Californian cousins. For this Tom(ahawk) Collins recipe you need to use freshly squeezed juice. Bottled lemon juice has an artificial taste that will ruin your cocktail. You can squeeze lemons with your hands, but this is messy and won’t yield as much juice. We recommend buying a juicer, they are a game-changer. We use a Zulay citrus press which handles both lemons and limes with equally perfect results.
Recommended Juicer: Zulay Premium Citrus Press
The Sweetener: Maraschino cherries are one of life’s great gifts. Perfect in a Manhattan cocktail, on ice cream or if you are us- straight from the jar. This version of a Tom Collins uses the delicious syrup from the cherry jar to give the drink some delicious cherry sweetness. (It also gives it that maroon color for FSU!). We would recommend using the syrup from the jar because then you get to eat the cherries! Marashino cherries don’t come cheap, so if you like them, then get the double pack from Amazon as it’s the best value. If you have willpower of steal and want to forgo the delicious cherries, then you can buy a bottle of Luxardo sour cherry syrup. It’s a touch more tart than the syrup in the jars, but works perfectly in this Tom Collins variation.
Recommended Cherry Syrup:
From the Jar: Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherries- 2 Pack
From the bottle: Luxardo Amarena Sour Cherry Syrup- 750 ml
What Equipment Should I Use For A Tom(ahawk) Collins?
The Glass: The Tom Collins Cocktail has a glass named after it, the collins glass. Often used interchangeably with a highball glass, the collins glass is slightly narrower and taller. It also has a slightly larger capacity than a highball glass, holding between 10-14 ounces rather than 8-12 ounces. These styles of glasses were designed for cocktails served on the rocks, with the tall shape helping keep drinks cold. They also help preserve carbonation, so work well for drinks topped with soda.
Recommended Collins: BUSHWELL Collins Glasses, Set of 6
Recommended highball glass: GODINGER Highball Glasses, Set of 4
The Shaker: Get yourself a good quality cocktail shaker that stands out on your bar cart. Our favorite shaker is the beautifully designed patterned brass shaker from Absolut Elyx Boutique. You can get $15 off your first order by using this link.
Recommended cocktail shaker: ABSOLUT ELYX BOUTIQUE Brass Patterned Cocktail Shaker. (Use this link to get $15 off your first order)
How Should I Serve A Tom(ahawk) Collins?
Shaken or Stirred: For cocktail recipes that contain fruit juices it is always best to shake them to ensure they are properly mixed, ice cold and refreshing. If you are looking for a standout cocktail shaker, then we love the beautifully designed brass shaker from Absolut Elyx Boutique. You can get $15 off your first order by using this link.
Straight up or on the rocks: On the rocks. Serve this refreshing drink over plenty of ice.
The Garnish: Use a lemon wedge and a maraschino cherry. If you are Florida State University Alumni, then stick a mini FSU flag in the top.
We hope you enjoy our Tom(ahawk) Collins recipe below, and as always drink local and drink responsibly. Cheers, and go Noles!
This post contains affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when purchases of recommended products are made. This is at no additional cost to you, and every penny we make goes back into buying and trying more tasty Floridian tipples.
Tom(ahawk) Collins Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz Florida Gin
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 0.75 oz Cranberry Juice
- 0.5 oz Luxardo Maraschino Cherry Syrup
- Club Soda
Instructions
- Step 1: Add Gin, Lemon Juice, Cranberry Juice and Cherry Syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice
- Step 2: Shake for 15-20 seconds
- Step 4: Strain into a collins or highball glass filled with ice
- Step 5: Top with club soda
- Garnish with a wedge of lemon, a cherry and a Noles flag
Other Florida Cocktail Recipes To Try:
Old Fashioned Floridian (Orange Old Fashioned)
Just made this and it was quite good, unlike the team it is named after.
Haha Thanks Sean, let us know what Florida team you follow and we’ll be sure to make a drink for them!