Tom and Jerry — a curious choice of names, given the famous pre-existing eggnoggy version. Anyway, I’d not thought of making a Tom Collins with Old Tom, and I have some Ransom sitting around doing nothing, so I think I’ll give that a try. Thanks!

I was in a bar in London last year and they served me a gin sour but they called it a Tom & Jerry…I figured it was meant to be made with Old Tom given the name, though the bartender made it with London dry…Inspired, I tried it with Ransom Old Tom when I got home and it was really fantastic….Gin:lemon:syrup 5:2.5:1.5…So simple & so delicious—the Ransom has color unlike Hayman’s–I don’t recommend it in a Ramos gin fizz but it might be worth another try in the Tom Collins.

Hi, Jeremy, thanks for pointing the date discrepancy. I think I got my Thomas editions muddled. You’re right, the Tom Collins appears in the 1887 edition, as a sort of “family” of drinks all appearing under the same name (Tom Collins Whiskey, Tom Collins Gin, and so forth.) Good find; it’s curious that no one called this out before. I’ll update the text. Thanks!

Hi, Courtney, It’s interesting that simple drinks can have so much history. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.

Sounds like the Tom Collins was a well-loved drink in your family. Thanks for remembering a bit of the past for us.

Yes, I suppose the Tom Collins is just about as timeless as you can get.

209 is a delightful gin; I’ve not used it in a Tom Colllins, but I expect it would be excellent. Thanks for the idea.

Thanks. Sometimes I like Old Tom, sometimes not. I think that the hotter it gets, the more I enjoy the sharper London Dry mixture. Spring and Fall, Old Tom seems more attractive.