Rosemary Collins Cocktail

The Rosemary Collins Cocktail marries a Tom Collins with rosemary simple syrup and it’s light, delightful, and a great warm weather sipper!

Rosemary Collins - Gin, simple syrup and lemon are transformed with a hint of rosemary.

I have to admit, when I first made this Rosemary Collins Cocktail, it was for a holiday gathering; the rosemary seemed so appropriate. But I have since made other versions for the holidays and have enjoyed this version more during the warmer months when I have fresh rosemary in my garden.

It is VERY similar to a classic Tom Collins, but with a hint of rosemary it’s light and refreshing and perfect for a warm summer afternoon.

The truth is that a Rosemary Tom Collins is about as closely related to it’s cousin Tom as it could be…the same basic ingredients come together with the addition of a rosemary simple syrup and more rosemary as garnish.

But the taste is unique and I admit, I love both cocktails in the summer. It’s nice to be able to change up a summer mainstay with the Rosemary Collins version that is also light and easy to prepare.

That being said, the taste, while reminiscent, is totally different; you can’t deny the presence of rosemary. And it’s important that that it only be a gentle presence. Too much rosemary and it can become almost medicinal. When I first made these cocktails I used only a sprig as garnish and found myself not as satisfied; the rosemary simple syrup was key.

Rosemary Collins - Gin, simple syrup and lemon are transformed with a hint of rosemary.

Still…it has to be a gentle process. There is no boiling for maximum extraction; simply put the herb into the simple syrup that has been brought off heat after the sugar has melted in the water. Let the herb steep for about 5 minutes before removing it from the simple syrup and putting the syrup into the fridge to cool off.

Something about the herbaceous quality of gin combined with rosemary and the freshness of lemon with a bit of sugar and this Rosemary Tom Collins has a great flavor I love. Add chilled bubbly water and it’s a wonderful thirst quencher and really does satisfy; perfect for a lazy summer afternoon or evening.

Keeping it lean? Try this one…after all no one said we had to take EVERYTHING fun out of our diet, right?

Cheers!

More Collins Cocktails?

PIN IT! ‘Rosemary Collins Cocktail’

Rosemary Collins Cocktail is a nice alternative to the classic Tom Collins with a hint of Rosemary in the simple syrup.

Rosemary Collins Cocktail in Tall Glass with Lemon and Rosemary Garnish

Rosemary Collins - Gin, simple syrup and lemon are transformed with a hint of rosemary.

Rosemary Collins

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Gin
Cuisine American
Servings 2 Servings
Calories 223 kcal

Ingredients
  

For Rosemary Simple Syrup

  • ¼ cup water
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 2 sprigs rosemary

For Cocktail

  • ¼ cup gin
  • 2 Tbsp Rosemary Simple Syrup
  • 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
  • Club Soda Chilled

For Garnish:

  • 2 sprigs Rosemary
  • Lemon Slices

Instructions
 

To Make Rosemary Simple Syrup

  • Combine water and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil, turn off heat. Add rosemary sprig and submerge in syrup; let sit for 5-10 minutes, then discard rosemary and chill the syrup until ready to make the cocktails.

To Make the Cocktails

  • Combine gin, rosemary simple syrup and lemon juice in an ice filled cocktail shaker; shake until thoroughly chilled.
  • Pour over ice in two tall Collins glasses and top off each cocktail with chilled club soda.
  • Garnish with a rosemary sprig and lemon slice.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Rosemary Collins
Serving Size
 
1
Amount per Serving
Calories
223
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
1
g
2
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Sodium
 
8
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
24
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
39
g
13
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
35
g
39
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
7
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
 
6
mg
1
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword gin, rosemary, cocktail, tom collins
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

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8 Comments

  1. Love rosemary, but glad you went with a light hand with it — just a smidge too much is WAY too much. It’s strong stuff. Good, though. 🙂 Lovely drink. And I still have rosemary in my garden! Score!

    1. My feelings too and beyond that I just wanted something really simple. The neighbor who ‘might’ drop by was actually sitting and waiting. 🙂

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