Are we entering a new “golden age” of cocktails? Given the buzz surrounding the return to classic cocktails and all the resto-lounges in Calgary making craft cocktails, such as Model Milk and Raw Bar, it’s a valid question. Clearly, it’s not just the anticipation of Mad Men Season 5 (premiering March 25!) powering the cocktail renaissance. There’s a groundswell of interest in classic drinks, dark spirits and even artisan gin. For someone who writes about cocktails, it’s pretty exciting.
Contributing to this phenomenon are websites like Twitter and Facebook, where drinks aficionados can tweet cocktail stories or post pictures of their latest cocktail creation. In fact, a recent story on The Next Web credited social media with powering the cocktail storm. It’s true. One of my Facebook friends recently launched a blog, Just Cocktails, where he posts recipes and snaps of amazing-looking sips. He then promotes all his new blog entries via Twitter and Facebook, so thirsty followers can get some ideas for cocktail hour.
Which brings me to this week’s drink. It’s a classic and features the other white spirit: gin. If you haven’t yet met him, says hello to Tom Collins. He’s refreshing, balanced and his gin bite is just right. He’s also an amazing companion on sunny patios and at wedding receptions (just be careful not to guzzle, like, four, in quick succession). Enjoy!
He's tall, thirst-quenching and will turn any gal into a cheap date. Meet Tom Collins.
Tom Collins
- 2 oz Bombay Sapphire gin
- 1 oz fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 oz simple syrup*
- Top with club soda
- Orange wheel garnish
Shake the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup with ice and strain into an ice-filled Collins glass. Top with club soda and garnish with an orange wheel. Serve with a straw. *To make simple syrup combine equal parts water and sugar in a saucepan and heat until sugar is dissolved. Cool and refrigerate.
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