Fresh & Simple Strawberry Collins Cocktail Recipe
Article & Photos by: allie albanese
Learn how to mix a refreshing Strawberry Collins cocktail at home with this easy recipe. Made with a few simple ingredients and your spirit of choice, it’s the perfect drink to cool you off on a hot summer day!
What do you do when the sun is blazing and you’re yearning for something super refreshing and easy to make? The answer is simple: whip up a Strawberry Collins cocktail!
This fruity riff on the classic Tom Collins combines the natural sweetness of strawberries, the tanginess of lemon, and the botanicals of Gin. The result? A refreshingly delicious drink that’s perfect for beating the heat!
What Is A “Collins” Cocktail?
A “Collins” cocktail is a type of mixed drink that typically consists of a spirit, lemon juice, simple syrup, and carbonated water.
While a classic Tom Collins is usually made with Gin, you can certainly make this Strawberry Collins with Vodka, Rum, Tequila, or another spirit instead. The great thing about it is that it’s super versatile, so you can use different liquors, flavored syrups, and herbs to create all sorts of variations!
And if you don’t drink booze, leave it out! Simply add more club soda to create a fresh Strawberry Collins mocktail.
Strawberry Collins Ingredients
What I love about Collins cocktails is that you can typically make them with whatever’s in season or whatever you have at home. For this summer variation, you need just five simple ingredients:
- FRESH STRAWBERRIES: At the heart of this Strawberry Tom Collins recipe lies the star ingredient itself: fresh strawberries. But how you use them is up to you! You can blend them to make a strawberry puree. You can infuse them into your simple syrup. Or you can keep it simple by muddling them into your cocktail as you make it. In this recipe, I opted for a combination of infused strawberry syrup + muddling as noted in the recipe card instructions below.
- SPIRIT OF CHOICE: Personally, I’m a Gin gal. To me, the botanical notes of Gin both balance the sweetness of this Strawberry Collins drink and complement its tartness. But if you don’t like Gin or you have another spirit on hand, feel free to switch it up!
- FRESH LEMON JUICE: A staple in Collins cocktails, lemon adds freshness to this drink while also brightening its berry flavors. I like to stick with classic flavors in mine, but you can certainly use fresh lime juice in place of lemon juice if you prefer.
- SIMPLE SYRUP: To enhance the sweetness of the strawberry juice and offset the citrusy notes of the lemon, a touch of simple syrup is added. That said, if your strawberries are super sweet or you prefer cocktails that err on the tart side you can leave it out.
- SPARKLING WATER: A hallmark of Collins cocktails is their effervescent nature. Soda water imparts a lively fizz and provides the refreshing element that this classic cocktail is known for.
- GARNISHES: There’s no right or wrong way to garnish a Strawberry Collins! Some of my favorites include a strawberry slice, a lemon twist, or a sprig of fresh herbs.
How To Make A Strawberry Tom Collins Cocktail
Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s get mixing! Simply follow these few easy steps to create this classic Tom Collins cocktail riff:
- MUDDLE STRAWBERRIES: Place 2-3 sliced ripe strawberries in a cocktail shaker. Using a muddler or the back of a spoon, gently mash them to release their juices.
- SQUEEZE THE LEMON JUICE: Squeeze your lemons until you have ¾ ounce and pour it into the shaker. I typically use a handheld citrus juicer or a 2-in-1 juicer to squeeze and a Japanese jigger to measure.
- SWEETEN WITH SIMPLE SYRUP: Add ½ ounce of simple syrup (or strawberry simple syrup) to the mixture. I prefer my cocktails to be more tart than sweet, so add more if you like a sweeter drink.
- ADD THE SPIRIT AND SHAKE: Add your chosen spirit and shake until combined. I typically shake this mixture without ice, but you do you!
- POUR AND GARNISH: Pour the mixture into the bottom of a Collins glass or Highball glass. (If you don’t like fruit bits in your cocktails, strain it instead. I recommend using a combination of a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh sieve to ensure a “clean” drink.) Fill the glass with ice cubes, top with club soda, and give it a gentle stir with a bar spoon. Garnish with a strawberry, lemon wedge, and/or a sprig of herbs. I used mint in mine because I currently have a plethora of it growing in my garden!
Strawberry Tom Collins Variations
While the classic Strawberry Collins recipe is fresh and delicious on its own, here are a few variations to experiment with:
- STRAWBERRY MINT COLLINS: Muddle several fresh mint leaves together with the strawberries to give it an extra refreshing flavor. You can also infuse your simple syrup with a couple of mint sprigs if you want an additional minty boost.
- STRAWBERRY CUCUMBER COLLINS: Down here in Georgia, strawberries and cucumber are staple ingredients in the summer. So there’s no better way to create the perfect blend of savory and sweet than muddling them together in this Strawberry Gin Collins!
- STRAWBERRY BASIL TOM COLLINS: Basil is another go-to herb at my house that I use in E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G during the summer. Like both cucumber and mint, basil adds a yummy herbal touch to this fresh Collins cocktail that balances its sweetness and creates a bit of depth.
The sky’s the limit when it comes to possible variations on this Strawberry Collins Cocktail Recipe. So get creative and have fun experimenting with your own combinations of spirits, herbs, fruits, and even spices!
More Refreshing Summer Cocktails
When it comes to summer sips, variety is the spice of life! So whether you’ve been a fan of classic Gin cocktails for a long time or simply want a refreshing drink to enjoy any time of year, here are some more refreshing cocktail recipes to try:
- PASSION FRUIT DAIQUIRI: Tangy passion fruit combines with Rum and lime for a mouthwatering burst of flavor.
- FRENCH BLONDE COCKTAIL: This sophisticated blend of Gin, Lillet Blanc, Elderflower Liqueur, and grapefruit is a timeless choice for warm evenings on the terrace.
- VODKA SUNRISE: Vodka, orange juice, and a touch of grenadine create a visually stunning drink that’s as delicious as it is eye-catching.
- PINEAPPLE MOJITO: Fresh pineapple chunks, mint leaves, and a splash of Rum come together in this Caribbean-inspired cocktail that’s perfect for beach days and backyard barbecues.
- FRENCH GIMLET: A blend of Gin, Elderflower Liqueur, and lime juice, this cocktail offers a delightful fusion of botanicals and floral notes.
Strawberry Collins Recipe: The Wrap-Up
Whether you’re enjoying a happy hour treat for yourself or sharing drinks with friends, this Strawberry Tom Collins recipe offers a burst of fruity freshness that embodies the essence of summer in every sip!
With the vibrant sweetness of fresh strawberries, the zesty kick of lemon, and the festive fizz of club soda, this fun twist on a classic Gin cocktail is a true celebration of the season.
A writer and photographer, Allie Albanese is the founder and curator of Parched Around the World. Here she seeks to tell stories about the intersection of food, drinks, cultures, and traditions in places near and far.
As the Beverage Director and Bar Manager of a high-volume cocktail bar, Allie spent years honing her mixology skills and learning about the fascinating world of drinks. In the time since, she’s worked as a wine and cocktail consultant for both private and corporate clients, as well as a freelance journalist writing about cocktails, wine, food, and travel for various publications across the United States and abroad.
When mixing a drink for herself, you’ll likely find Allie with a fresh Gin Gimlet or a spicy Old Fashioned in hand!
Disclosure: Articles throughout Parched Around the World may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something using one of them, I may earn a small commission for sharing items I personally use and love. This comes at no cost to you, but helps support Parched and allows me to keep this website running! For more information, please see my full Privacy Policy.
Strawberry Collins
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 Drink
Description
Made with just a few simple ingredients and your spirit of choice, this Strawberry Collins cocktail is the perfect drink to cool you off on a hot summer day!
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin (or your spirit of choice)
- ¾ oz Lemon juice
- ½ oz Strawberry simple syrup
- 2–3 Strawberries, sliced
- Club soda to top
- Garnish: Strawberry and a sprig of fresh mint
Instructions
- Place the sliced strawberries in a cocktail shaker and gently mash to release their juices.
- Squeeze lemons to get ¾ oz of juice and then pour into the shaker.
- Add ½ oz of strawberry simple syrup (or more for a sweeter taste).
- Pour in 2 oz of your chosen spirit and shake the mixture vigorously without ice.
- Pour the mixture into a Collins glass or Highball glass. Use a strainer if you don’t want fruit bits in your finished drink.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes, top up with club soda, and give it a gentle stir.
- Garnish with a strawberry, lemon wedge, and/or herbs of your choice.
Notes
- If you don’t like Gin, feel free to swap it for another spirit instead. Vodka, Rum, Tequila, and Bourbon all taste great in this Strawberry Collins recipe. And if you prefer not to consume alcohol, feel free to exclude it. Instead, increase the amount of club soda to craft a delightful Strawberry Collins mocktail!
- When it comes to the sweetener, I like to use strawberry simple syrup for added berry flavor. But plain simple syrup works perfectly as well.
- Because I have heaps of mint growing in my garden right now, I used some as a garnish. But herbs such as rosemary and basil make a great pairing for strawberries, too. And if you don’t have any fresh herbs, don’t worry – your drink will taste just as good without them!
- Prep Time: 5
- Category: Drink
- Cuisine: Cocktails
Hi Friends, I’m Allie!
I’m an Italian-German-Southerner with a deep passion for food, drinks & travel. After 15 years in NYC as a Certified Sommelier & cocktail creator, plus a stint in New Zealand learning how to make wine, I’m now back home in Georgia where I blend my love for culinary arts & travel into my work as a writer & photographer. Thank you so much for joining me here at Parched where I look forward to exploring the world together one bite, sip & adventure at a time!
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This recipe deserves more attention!
Thank you, I’m very happy you enjoyed it! I love anything with strawberry. 🍓
This should be a required drink in the summer.
I couldn’t agree more! 😁
You really know your stuff.
Why, thank you! 😊 I really appreciate it.
I’m a fan of collins drinks in general and liked this strawberry version. I think this would be a good July 4th drink
I’m happy you enjoyed this strawberry twist! And I totally agree — it’s a great drink to make when it’s hot out because it’s so light and refreshing, and 4th of July would be perfect for it because strawberries are in season. 😋🍓
Simple and tasty
Thanks so much! I love a drink that’s simple to make yet packs a lot of flavor. 😀