The Tom Collins is the definition of effortless refreshment—a tall, sparkling blend of gin, lemon, sugar, and seltzer that’s been cooling down drinkers since the 19th century. But as simple as it seems, the Collins demands attention to technique. Overdilution is the enemy here, so rather than shaking to full dilution like a sour, we give it a short, five-second shake—just enough to chill the ingredients while keeping room for the seltzer. And instead of topping the drink with seltzer, we start by adding a measured pour directly into the empty serving glass, then strain in the shaken cocktail. This mixes the drink seamlessly, keeping it bubbly, crisp, bright—and built for warm-weather drinking.