The original Tom Collins was born out of the John Collins, which was named for John Collin, who was the headwaiter of Limmer’s Old House. The house punch was a gin punch topped with soda. This is my imagined take on what the fictitious Alistair Collin might have made as an improvement on his brother’s punch recipe.
INGREDIENTS
1 oz. aged Old Tom gin (or genever, or a split base)
½ oz. amontillado sherry
¾ oz. lemon juice
¾ oz. rich demerara syrup
¾ oz. black tea
3 drops saline solution
Lemon peel, for shaking
2 oz. club soda
Garnish: nutmeg
ABV LEVEL
Combine all except soda in in a cocktail shaker and add ice. Shake for about 10 seconds. Strain into a punch glass or teacup (can be served with or without ice.) Top with soda and garnish with freshly grated nutmeg.