When it comes to drinks I’m usually pretty hilbilly (light domestic beer please!) but every once in awhile I put on my fancy pants and make a nice cocktail. A Tom Collins is the perfect summer drink – bubbly, with a splash of lemon, sweetness and bitters. It takes a little work to make but to quote Will Ferrel, “it tastes so good when it hits your lips!”

Ingredients for 1 Cocktail
*I used a regular shot glass to measure 1 oz
2 oz gin
2 oz lemon juice
1 ounce simple syrup (recipe below)
1 dash bitters
1 cup ice cubes
1/4 cup cold club soda
1 slice lemon, for garnish
1 maraschino cherry (this would have made my picture look amazing, but alas I forgot it!)

First make the simple syrup. I’ve seen recipes where it’s one part sugar to one part water but I’ve also seen two parts sugar to one part water. Do which one you like based on the level of sweetness you prefer (I tend to like less sweet, so I use equal parts). Using 1/4 cup water and 1/4 cup sugar should provide you with enough to make at least 2/3 drinks. Boil the water, then add the sugar, continue boiling and stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let cool, and pour into small pitcher or container until you’re ready to make the drink.

Then fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Pour in the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and a dash of bitters. Cover and shake until the outside of the container is frosty, about 15 seconds. Strain into a highball glass full of ice. Top off with club soda and garnish with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry. You can also do a stirred not shaken version of this drink like I did, but really stir well because the simple syrup will sit at the bottom!

Sit in the sun and enjoy!