Posts Tagged ‘Spring Drinks’

We're on the cusp of the May 24 long weekend, the unofficial start of summer for those of us in the Great White North. It's the perfect time for a classic warm weather long drink: the Tom Collins.

Like many, if not all, cocktails and mixed drinks, the Tom Collins has plenty of variations and versions out there. Here are a few.

David Wondrich, one of the foremost cocktail historians out there, gives us some history and a recipe in the Wondrich take on the Tom Collins.

Robert Hess of Small Screen Network ups the lemon juice and uses simple syrup instead of superfine sugar as a sweetener in his Tom Collins. You can check it out in the video below.

Here's another Tom Collins recipe at Epicurious, where the gin, sugar and lemon juice are added in equal proportions.

If you're not a fan of gin, there are Tom Collins variations using a variety or spirits. Below I've listed links to a few of them.

• Pedro Collins (features rum as the base spirit)
• Jack Collins (uses Apple Jack, Calvados or other apple brandy)
• Tequila Collins
• John Collins (bourbon is the key to this one)
• Brandy Collins

Whatever your preference, the Tom Collins is a classic and refreshing mixed drink that will serve you well during the upcoming long weekend.

Have fun. Be merry.

What's your favourite? Tell us about the tall drink that makes you think "long weekend"

Here are some links to the coolest stuff I stumbled across this week.

By the way, I'm off all of next week, so I've prepared a few posts in advance so this blog doesn't collect dust while I'm gone. I'll answer any questions or comments when I get back. Enjoy Easter!

Simon at Bar Life UK goes on a well justified rant about Dr. Neil Da Costa's recently conducted research about the science behind the supposedly perfect Bloody Mary. It's funny stuff.

The Bloody Mary. Now, how do I get mine to look that great shade of red?

While looking for a cocktail that would include some of the liquid gold in my recently acquired bottle of yellow Chartreuse, I came across a recipe for the Alaskan Cocktail at the Cocktail Enthusiast blog. I'm gonna give this simple but tasty sounding drink a go during my week off.

Check out the effects of glass thickness on drink temperature – the third installment in a series of posts at Cocktail Virgin Slut – detailing experiments with glassware, cocktails and temperature.

Nancy at The Backyard Bartender has come up with three really great sounding vodka infusions, including Celery + Bay Leaf, Chocolate, Cinnamon + Chipotle, and Vanilla, Cardamom + Cinnamon. She's also offerd up cocktail recipes to accompany each infusion and some awesome drink photos. Check it out.

Now that we've all (I hope) put away our snow shovels as winter has begrudgingly given way to spring, many imbibers of seasonal temperament are likely to put away warming libations for lighter, fresher cocktails. The folks at Serious Eats have some Light, Bright Cocktails for Spring suggestions.