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!
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.
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?
- Tom Collins
- Blackberry Bourbon Collins
- Blackberry Collins Cocktail with St. Germain Liqueur
- Lemon Thyme Collins
PIN IT! ‘Rosemary Collins Cocktail’
Rosemary Collins
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
I love cocktails. Thanks for the rosemary collins cocktail recipe. I will definitely try.
I love gin and tonic, so I’ll definitely try this.
Perfect drink for a long holiday weekend! Our rosemary is going like wild and I need to use some anyway. So I will. 🙂
Great idea to add rosemary! This looks delicious and easy to make 🙂
I’m a gin and tonic girl so l will certainly try this.
Do Debra; it’s simple and delicious. Goes down almost too easy. 🙂
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!
My feelings too and beyond that I just wanted something really simple. The neighbor who ‘might’ drop by was actually sitting and waiting. 🙂