5 Popular Tom Collins Cocktail Garnishes: How To Use Them Right
Renowned for its airy, frothy texture and clean taste, the Tom Collins is a citrus-forward classic highball cocktail. Tom Collins is traditionally garnished with a lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry, adding presentation and subtle flavour balance. Garnishes enhance the drink by highlighting its acidity and adding aroma. The appropriate garnish transforms a basic drink into a more rich-flavoured signature beverage.
Tom Collins variants can also have different types of garnishes, with or without the traditional one, making the drink more unique. From dried ingredients to different berries and peels, one can explore lots of varieties. The experimentation will bring out a more balanced flavour with unique hints, making a straightforward recipe into a unique drink. Get to know more about the garnishes that pair well with Tom Collins' cocktail.
5 Tom Collins Cocktail Garnishes
A basic Tom Collins cocktail requires a mix of 15 ml gin, 25 ml lemon juice, and 10 ml simple syrup, and top with 30 ml soda water in a Collins glass filled with ice, then garnish with a lemon wedge. Here are different garnishes to try:
Berry Garnish
A Tom Collins's crisp, citrussy profile contrasts well with the sweetness and vibrant colour that berries contribute. Their tartness adds more flavour without masking the botanical gin base, blending with the drink's lemon and frothy soda water. As the berries gradually infuse into the liquid, using them as a garnish can also slightly change the flavour of the beverage.
Fresh berries can be prepared simply by rinsing them and skewering a few onto a cocktail pick. As an alternative, you can add a touch of fruity richness by gently pressing a berry on the glass before pouring the drink. This will release the juice. Blackberries and blueberries are great options because their mild acidity enhances the taste of the beverage. The berries float when served in a tall Collins glass, adds presentation.
Elderflower Garnish
A Tom Collins' light flavour is enhanced by the floral scent of elderflower, which blends well with the botanical notes of gin. The crisp lemon and soda profile of the cocktail is well-highlighted with an aromatic lift. It is particularly well suited to mild collin variants with citrus or herbal undertones. Carefully placing fresh elderflower sprigs on the drink's surface will allow them to release their aroma as they sit on top of the ice. For a similar look, you can add dried elderflower petals over the cocktail if fresh flowers aren't available.
Lemon Peel Or Wedges Garnish
The lemon is a key component in the Tom Collins cocktail, and its peel or wedges are used for purposes other than ornamentation. The peel contains essential oils that, when twisted, emit a bright, fragrant mist that enhances the citrus flavour of the cocktail. On the other hand, a fresh lemon wedge adds a classic element that adds more acidity.
To ensure that the first taste is enhanced by the lemon peel's aromatic oils, a thin, curled strip of peel can be twisted over the drink and then placed on the rim. A tiny lemon wedge resting on the Collins glass's edge gives it a more timeless look. The wedge should be the size of the rim diameter.
Edible Glitter Garnish
Edible glitter gives a Tom Collins cocktail a glittering appearance that makes it ideal for any event. Without changing the crisp mix of citrus, gin, and soda, it adds to the drink's light nature. In contrast to conventional garnishes, glitter does not add any taste and is only decorative, which assists without altering the core flavours of the beverage. Just before serving, dust the cocktail with a tiny amount of edible glitter, making sure it stays floating in the effervescence. Some people like to add it to a sugar rim so that the drink highlights the shine.
Gold Leaf Garnish
The addition of gold leaf heightens the Tom Collins cocktail from a basic highball to a more presentative drink. It floats on the drink's surface because of its weightless texture, capturing the light through the glass. This garnish adds an aesthetic look while keeping the cocktail's vibrant citrus and herbal aromas. Add a little piece of gold leaf on top of the drink using tweezers. It should either gently float with the carbonation or rest on the ice's surface.
These garnishes can also be used for other drinks as well. One can even mix and match some garnishes to make a more presentative and aromatic cocktail with similar variants of Tom Collins.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
