Tom Collins

Tom Collins is a bright, fizzy gin highball built from lemon, simple syrup, and club soda. The recipe below makes one drink and keeps the shopping list short. Recipe reference: Cookie and Kate

To make the syrup, warm equal parts sugar and water just until the sugar dissolves, then cool. Shake the gin, lemon, and syrup with ice for 20–30 seconds. Strain into an ice-filled tall glass, top with club soda, and stir gently. Method and quantities: Cookie and Kate Classic build cross-check: Difford's Guide

No shaker? Stir the gin, lemon, and syrup in the ice-filled glass first, then add the soda and stir once more. Adjust the syrup to taste if your lemons are especially sharp.