Can Brady help “Tompa Bay” to the Super Bowl and make it appearance number ten? We have made the perfect Bucs themed cocktail for you to drink while you cheer them on in the post season. The “Tompa Collins” gives a Tampa Bay Buccaneers twist to the classic Tom Collins, replacing the gin with every buccaneer’s favorite: rum. It also uses a homemade mixed berry simple syrup that gives this drink that trademark Bucs red color. Support local and enjoy your Tompa Collins. Go Bucs!
What Ingredients Do I Need for a Tompa Collins?
The Alcohol
The Rum: The Bucs name came from the fact that pirates often frequented the gulf coast during the 17th century. The spirit of choice for this drink consequently had to be rum. White or silver rum works best for a Collins, and luckily Florida excels at making smooth rums. For this recipe, make sure that you use a rum from the Tampa Bay region. The closer to Raymond James stadium the better!
Recommended Tampa Bay Rums:
- Big 5 Silver Rum from Big 5 Distillery
- El Encanto Silver Rum from Florida Cane Distillery
- Gasparilla Silver Rum from Tampa Bay Rum Company
Get Big 5 Silver Rum delivered by DRIZLY. Click and use code DRIZLYDEAL for $5 off of your first order.
The Citrus
Fresh Lemon Juice: Most US lemons are farmed out west in California, but there are some lemons grown in south Florida. If you can get local Florida lemons at a farmer’s market, then great- if not you may have to make do with lemons from our Californian cousins. For this Tompa Collins recipe, use freshly squeezed juice. Bottled lemon juice has an artificial taste that will ruin your cocktail. If you use lemon juice regularly for drinks and cooking then we recommend buying a citrus 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
Simple Syrup: To give this Tampa Bay Bucs themed cocktail its signature red color we use a homemade mixed berry simple syrup. This easy to make recipe just involves simmering your favorite mix of berries with sugar and water. The berry sweetness complements the tart lemon juice in this cocktail, working perfectly in this Tom Collins variation.
Recommended Simple Syrup: Homemade Mixed Berry Simple Syrup
What Equipment Should I Use For A for a Tompa Collins?
The Glass: A traditional Tom Collins Cocktail is typically served in a collins or highball glass. We like to serve this Tampa Bay Buccaneers version in a Tervis tumbler. Tervis is a family run Florida company headquartered in Venice Beach. Tervis glassware was specifically designed for the Florida lifestyle and is perfect for keeping your cocktails chilled. Their 16oz tumbler is best for cocktails, and yes , they do a Bucs version.
Recommended Tervis Glass: Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16 oz Tervis Tumbler
The Shaker: If you like to make cocktails at home then you need to get yourself a good quality cocktail shaker. 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 Tompa Collins?
Shaken or Stirred: You will want to shake the rum, simple syrup and lemon juice to make sure that everything is thoroughly combined. You will then top with club soda. We like to give the drink a quick stir at the end to make sure the club soda mixes in. 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. This twist on a Tom Collins should be served over plenty of ice.
The Garnish: Garnish with a strawberry and a Bucs flag. To really dial up the pirate theme, we like to use a sword shaped cocktail pick as the flagpole. There are plenty of affordable options on amazon.
Best Sword Toothpicks: Stainless Steel Reusable Sword Toothpicks
We hope you enjoy our Tompa Collins recipe below, and as always drink local and drink responsibly. Cheers, and go Bucs!
This post contains affiliate links and we 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.
Tompa Collins Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz Florida White Rum
- 1 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 1 oz Mixed Berry Simple Syrup
- 2 oz Club Soda
Instructions
- Step 1: Add Rum, Lemon Juice and Simple Syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Step 2: Shake for 15-20 seconds.
- Step 3: Strain into a Tervis Tumbler filled with ice.
- Step 4: Top with club soda.
- Garnish with a strawberry and Tampa Bay Buccaneers flag.
OTHER FLORIDA COCKTAIL RECIPES TO TRY:
Old Fashioned Floridian (Orange Old Fashioned)
4 Florida Fall Apple Cider Cocktails
4 Florida Fall Pumpkin Spice Cocktails
Tampa Bay Breeze (Tampa Bay Rays game day cocktail)
Tom(ahawk) Collins (FSU game day cocktail)
The Gator (UF game day cocktail)
Knightro (UCF game day cocktail)