Tom Collins Article – Page 1 of 4 The Great Tom Collins Hoax. By George Sinclair.

One of the great test questions that one bartender can ask another is "What is the difference between a Tom Collins and a Gin Fizz?". The answer that the inquirer expects is usually that the Tom Collins is built over ice in a Collins Glass, and that the Gin Fizz is shaken, and then strained in an empty glass, whereupon the glass is filled with soda water. However, nothing could be further from the truth, in fact the Gin's Fizz is supplied by the addition of "Fizzy" water (i.e. carbonated soda water). You see, the Gin Fizz is a much older concoction than the Collins, dating back to the first appearance of carbonated water. The Tom Collins is from a specific year and named after a specific event, with the event in question being the Great Tom Collins Hoax of 1874. Gettysburg Compiler (1874) "Have you seen Tom Collins" "If you haven't, perhaps you had better do so, and as quick as you can, for he is talking about you in a very rough manner--calling you hard names, and altogether saying things about you that are rather calculated to induce people to believe there is nothing you wouldn't steal short of a red-hot stove. Other little things of that nature he is openly speaking in public places, and as a friend--although of course we don't wish to make you feel uncomfortable--we think you ought to take some notice of them and of Mr. Tom Collins. This is about the cheerful substance of a very successful practical joke which has been going the rounds of the city in the past week. It is not to this manor born, but belongs to New York, where it was played with immense success to crowded houses until it played out." Steubenville Daily Herald (1874) "Frantic young men rushed wildly through the streets of the city on Saturday hunting the libelous Tom Collins." There are many other examples of people and newspaper journalists helping to http://www.thinkingbartender.com

Tom Collins Brandy and. Also notice that the Gin Fizz is http://www. The first occurrence of the Tom Collins Recipe dates to the 1876 edition of Jerry Thomas' "The Bartenders Guide". Shake up well and strain into a large bar-glass. and then "fizzed" with carbonated water. Thomas listed 3 drinks called Tom Collins. The Gin Fizz. Fountain (1874). (Use small bar-glass. or Fiz as it was also called.com . Juice of a small lemon. It is a fact that in the 1800s. The hoax gained such notoriety that it was used as the subject of music hall songs. Hollands Gin (Jenever) was imported into the United States at a ratio of approximately 6 litres to every litre of English London Dry Gin. The preparation for the Tom Collins is that of being shaken with ice and then being topped with soda water. or Jenever as it is now known. the Tom Collins Gin. D. by adding egg-white (albumen). or a Golden Fizz. by printing false sightings and the like. 1 wine-glass of Holland Gin 1 small piece of Ice. which refers to Dutch Gin." penned by W. Fill up the glass with Apollinaris or Seltzer water. 3 dashes of Fresh Lemon Juice. then you really will have to shake the ingredients beforehand. the Tom Collins Whiskey. 1 large wine-glass of Gin.) Take 1 tea-spoonful of powdered white sugar. stir thoroughly and serve. I've been led astray.Tom Collins Article – Page 2 of 4 propagate the Tom Collins Hoax. 2 or 3 lumps of ice. Notice that the Gin Fizz recipe uses Holland Gin. by adding egg-yolk. Gin Fizz.) Take 5 or 6 dashes of gum syrup. Jerry Thomas (1876). Jerry Thomas (1862) (Use medium bar-glass. with or without ice.thinkingbartender. If you wish to recreate a Silver Fizz. Tom Collins Gin. one such being "Tom Collins: Or. Fill up the glass with plain soda water and imbibe while it is lively. last but not least. was built in a glass.

1891). My chief occupation is filling brimmers For all the young gentlemen frequenters there. mistranslated the song of "Jim Collins". and which was subsequently refuted in the next published issue of Punch magazine (Punch. royal physician to be exact. which contemporary newspaper sources at the time referred to as "a quaint compilation". pleasantly written by Sir MORELL MACKENZIE. The 1892 book compiled the limerick from a "discursive paper." Not only. Apparently the good doctor. Or The London Charivari. we find ourselves contemplating the significance of the so-called "John Collins Limerick". exist. which goes as follows: 'My name is John Collins.D. whereas the Tom Collins contains considerably more lemon juice. was to prove a link between the song and the creation of the drink. his reason. 101. But where did this limerick come from? According to the IBA it was printed in a 1892 tome called "Drinks of the World".Tom Collins Article – Page 3 of 4 basically a Gin and Sodawater with a little bit of lemon juice. in all actuality.' The above rhyme is cited by the International Bartenders Association (IBA) as being the proof that the John Collins drink preceded the Tom Collins and was also created in London. basically rendering it as a Gin and Sparkling Lemonade.com . "My name is JIM COLLINS.. according to the Punch correspondent. M. "And my hokkipashun Is sarvin' out liquors To such sportin' covies As chance to come there.thinkingbartender. August 8. but it doesn't mention any specific drink in either transcription as being created by the head-waiter. The corner of Conduck Street. ". head waiter at Limmer's. written in mid-1891. it seems. So what were the "covies" of http://www. Corner of Conduit Street. Hanover Square. Moving on. England. 'Anover Square. is the oft-quoted "John Collins Limerick" an incorrectly certified "fact". Vol. 'Ead-vaiter at Limmers'. Jim or John. which did not.

Sir Morell MacKenzies.Tom Collins Article – Page 4 of 4 Limmer's Hotel quaffing? Why the "famous Gin Punch" of course. The early recipes for the Tom Collins make no mention of Old Tom Gin.e. "-brandy". While Gin Punch is similar to a Gin Sling. who came after Thomas. with the type of alcoholic spirit being used specified after the name Tom Collins (i. with the earliest recipe making no mention of Gin either. in 1891. that changed the Tom Collins into a purely Gin drink. It is others. in which the Tom Collins is a class of drink. in that it uses gin. "-whiskey". or John Collins. The fact is that no drink other than a Gin Punch has been associated with Limmers.com . published in 1876. The final question that remains to be answered is whether the Tom Collins was named for its use of Old Tom Gin. lemon juice. http://www. to be called such.thinkingbartender. sugar and water. it is not similar enough to a Tom Collins. "-gin"). it seems that the idea of a drink known as "John Collins" predating the "Tom Collins" is totally down to the fantastical thinking of one man. Remember that the first recorded Tom Collins recipe is from the second edition of Jerry Thomas' book.