Tom Collins Mocktail (Non-Alcoholic)

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About the Recipe

There’s a reason the Tom Collins is one of the most iconic and classic drinks ever. It’s light, refreshing, and super delicious, and it’s been around for what seemed like forever! But if you’re avoiding alcohol, that doesn’t mean you need to miss out on having a Tom Collins, because you can now make it a wonderful mocktail!

I only rarely drink alcohol, but I always love getting social with a delicious mixed drink in hand. Just check out my Coconut Mojito Mocktail or my Grapefruit Sage Sparkler recipes!

Now I know you might be worried that this mocktail won’t have all the same flavor as a classic Tom Collins, since there’s no alcohol. But trust me, this does not disappoint! The nonalcoholic gin really does the trick.

If you use a sugar-free simple syrup, it’s Keto friendly, too! Be sure to check out these other low calorie mocktails, too.

What is a Tom Collins?

A classic Tom Collins is a highball cocktail, which just means that there’s more “other stuff” than spirit (alcohol) in the drink. The traditional spirit used is Old Tom Gin, which we’ll be swapping for a non-alcoholic version, but we keep all the “other stuff.”

There are several brands of nonalcoholic gin alternative, but I highly recommend using Ritual‘s non-alcoholic gin substitute spirit. It has lovely juniper notes and even a little throat burn. This is not an ad, I’m just a fan!

It adds tons of herbaceous and floral flavor to the drink, giving plenty of gin-ness to the drink without any of the alcohol. Pretty cool, right?

Recipe Ingredients

There are only four ingredients in the drink, plus ice. Here’s what you need:

• Non-Alcoholic Gin: I used Ritual‘s gin alternative, but any other non-alcoholic gin will work, like Fluere and Lyre’s, and they may be easier to find in your area.
  
• Simple Syrup. Buy store-bought simple syrup or make homemade by adding 1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup of sugar to a small saucepan. Warm the mixture over medium heat, stirring, just until the sugar is dissolved fully. Transfer to a glass container, cover, and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
  
  *For a Keto/Low Carb simple syrup option, substitute monk fruit sweetener to make simple syrup.
  
• Lemon: Use fresh squeezed lemon juice for the mocktail, and a slice of lemon for garnish.
  
• Club Soda adds some fizzy, bubbly fun!

Making the Drink

A Tom Collins is traditionally both made and served in a tall 10 – 12 oz. glass, often called a Collins or highball glass. I prefer to use a cocktail shaker to mix the drink thoroughly, but either way is totally fine!

1. Start by measuring the non-alcoholic gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice and pouring them into the cocktail shaker.
2. Fill the shaker with ice, cover, and shake well to combine and chill.
3. Fill a glass with ice, then pour the cocktail mixture over it.
4. Top off the glass with 2-3 oz. of club soda and garnish with a slice of lemon.

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