A Tom Collins Light is a refreshing drink that cuts calories without losing flavor. This lower-calorie version uses sugar-free simple syrup and club soda to create a cocktail with only 95 calories. That’s less than half of the classic recipe.
The drink keeps the same bright citrus notes and gin base that made the original Tom Collins famous in the 1800s. Many people prefer this lighter take because it tastes clean and won’t weigh them down.
Perfect for warm spring days or summer parties, this cocktail mixes up in under 2 minutes. The recipe needs just four basic ingredients that most home bars already stock.
Tom Collins Light Cocktail Recipe
Equipment
- Collins glass or tall glass
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger or measuring tool
- Ice
- Bar spoon
- Citrus juicer
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 oz 60ml gin
- 1 oz 30ml fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz 15ml sugar-free simple syrup
- Club soda to top
- Ice cubes
- Lemon wheel for garnish
Sugar-free simple syrup: Mix 1 cup water with 1 cup sugar substitute
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add gin, fresh lemon juice, and sugar-free simple syrup to the shaker.
- Shake for 10-15 seconds until well chilled.
- Fill a Collins glass with fresh ice cubes.
- Strain the mixture into the glass.
- Top with club soda (about 2-3 oz).
- Stir gently with a bar spoon to combine.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel.
Notes
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Tasting Notes
The Tom Collins Light offers a bright, fresh taste with less sugar than its classic counterpart. The drink maintains a perfect balance between tart lemon and smooth gin.
A gentle fizz from the soda water adds a light, effervescent quality. The bubbles help carry the citrus and botanical aromas to the nose.
Key Flavor Notes:
- Crisp juniper from the gin
- Sharp citrus from fresh lemon juice
- Clean, refreshing carbonation
- Light sweetness
The finish is clean and dry with subtle gin botanicals lingering on the palate. At only 120 calories per serving, this cocktail delivers full flavor without excess sweetness.
The drink’s lighter profile makes it ideal for warm weather sipping. Its clear, pale straw color and fizzy texture create an appealing presentation.
Serving Temperature: Best enjoyed very cold at 35-40°F (2-4°C) to maintain maximum carbonation and crispness.
Substitute
A Tom Collins Light can be made with several alternatives to traditional ingredients. These swaps keep the drink’s refreshing taste while reducing calories.
Replace gin with vodka for a different flavor profile. This creates a drink called a Joe Collins.
Sugar-free alternatives:
- Diet lemon-lime soda instead of club soda and simple syrup
- Sugar-free simple syrup
- Stevia drops
- Monk fruit sweetener
Fresh lime juice works as a substitute for lemon juice. The taste will be slightly different but still citrusy and bright.
To make a non-alcoholic version, use botanical-flavored sparkling water in place of gin. Add a splash of juniper berry syrup to mimic gin’s signature taste.
Swap club soda with sparkling mineral water. This adds natural minerals while maintaining the drink’s fizzy texture.
Artificial sweeteners may change the drink’s mouthfeel slightly. Start with small amounts and adjust to taste.
