Meyer Lemon Tom Collins Cocktail

This Meyer Lemon Tom Collins is a simple, four-ingredient gin cocktail that makes the most of Meyer lemon season. It comes together in five minutes and tastes like a slightly sweeter, more floral version of the classic.

Jump to:

• ❤️ Why this recipe works
• 🗒 Ingredients
• 🍋 Recipe tips
• 🍹 How to make a big batch cocktail
• 🎉 Variations on recipe
• 🍸More gin cocktail recipes
• 📖 Recipe
• 💬 Comments

Meyer lemons have a short season, and this Meyer Lemon Tom Collins is exactly the kind of cocktail that makes me want to use every last one before they disappear from the grocery store.

It's a simple, classic gin cocktail with just four ingredients. But the Meyer lemons do something magical here, softening the tartness you'd get from regular lemons and adding a subtle floral sweetness that turns a basic Tom Collins into something you'll actually want to slow down and sip.

I've been making this Meyer lemon cocktail since 2012 (yes, really! This post is one of the oldest on the blog) and it still holds up as one of my favorite ways to use Meyer lemons when I'm not baking with them.

It comes together in about five minutes, requires zero special equipment, and works beautifully whether you're mixing one for yourself on a Friday night or scaling it up for a spring brunch.

In case you're wondering, Meyer lemons are basically a cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange. Which means they're nice and sweet and ridiculously tasty.

Though Meyer lemons don't ship well because of their thin skin, it's this same feature that makes them perfect for cooking and baking. Supposedly, you can eat the entire lemon, peel and all, if you so desire.

❤️ Why this recipe works

It has just 4 ingredients and takes just 5 minutes to make: this recipe couldn't be any easier, making it perfect for a lazy afternoon or when you're looking for an easy but impressive cocktail to make for a dinner party.

It's perfectly balanced: Meyer lemons are naturally sweeter than regular lemons, so the drink comes out with less pucker than a classic Tom Collins.

It's a seasonal drink: Meyer lemons are only in season around from roughly December through April, so this feels like a bit of a treat and makes winter and early spring feel special.

It's easy to customize: you can easily swap the gin for vodka, add a rosemary sprig, or float a bit of prosecco on top. It's easy to make this drink with what you have on hand or what you prefer!

🗒 Ingredients

• Gin: you can use any, but I especially recommend a London Dry gin, like Tanqueray or Beefeater
• Freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice: You'll need about 1½ Meyer lemons per cocktail to get the 1½ ounces of juice. You can substitute regular lemons but you'll need to do some adjusting. Meyer lemons are noticeably sweeter and less tart, so regular lemons will make the drink sharper and you'll want more sugar
• Granulated sugar or simple syrup: granulated sugar dissolves fine with a good stir and gives a clean flavor, while simple syrup mixes in instantly and is the smarter choice if you're batching for a crowd or want to skip the stirring. Just note that simple syrup is about half sugar by volume, so you'll need roughly three times the amount to match the sweetness of granulated sugar.
• Soda water

🍋 Recipe tips

• Always use fresh juice. Unfortunately, bottled lemon juice will not work in this recipe. The whole point is the Meyer lemon flavor, and it fades fast once juiced and is just not the same in the bottle. Trust me on this one.

• Taste the cocktail before finishing it as Meyer lemons often vary in sweetness depending on the batch. Taste the gin/juice/sugar mixture before adding ice and soda. If it's too tart, you can add another pinch of sugar.

• For best results, chill your glasses before serving, especially if you're serving these at a gathering. A chilled glass keeps everything crisp longer.

And take a sip of a delightfully simple winter cocktail that feels as refreshing as a summer one.

I love how much the Meyer lemon flavor shines!

🍹 How to make a big batch cocktail

This cocktail scales really well for brunches, baby showers, or any gathering where you don't want to be stuck mixing drinks one at a time.

The key is to combine everything except the soda water ahead of time, then top off individual glasses right before serving so the bubbles stay lively.

For a pitcher that serves 6, you'll need:

• 9 oz. gin (about 1 cup plus 1 Tbsp)
• 9 oz. freshly squeezed Meyer lemon juice (from about 9 Meyer lemons)
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar or 3 tablespoon simple syrup
• Soda water: chilled
• Ice
• Meyer lemon slices: for garnish

Combine the gin, Meyer lemon juice, and sugar (or simple syrup) in a pitcher and stir until the sugar dissolves. If you're prepping ahead, cover and refrigerate the base for up to 24 hours.

When you're ready to serve, fill glasses with ice, pour the gin mixture in to fill about two-thirds of the glass, and top with soda water. Garnish with a thin slice of Meyer lemon. Give each glass a gentle stir and serve immediately.

🎉 Variations on recipe

• Replace gin with vodka: swap the gin 1:1 for vodka if gin isn't your thing. Technically not a Tom Collins anymore (it's now a Vodka Collins), but it will still be delicious.
• Other great options for replacing gin are tequila or bourbon.
• Muddle herbs into the drink: muddle sprigs of rosemary or thyme or mint leaves or in the glass before adding the other ingredients. Rosemary especially plays beautifully with Meyer lemon.
• Top with prosecco instead of soda water for French 75 vibes.
• Add a flavored simple syrup like lavender syrup, honey syrup, and vanilla syrup would be especially good.

I've served this to many friends who didn't think they liked gin, but absolutely loved this cocktail. So, if you're not sure if you're a fan of gin, this Meyer lemon cocktail is a good way to introduce yourself to it.

If you use a dry gin, the gin flavor isn't super predominant and the flavors are quite subtle.

It makes me sad that Meyer lemons are winter citrus because I really do think this would be the perfect hot weather sipper.

Luckily, I still have Meyer lemons in my grocery store at the end of March and I hope they stick around for just a little while longer. I'm strongly considering juicing a bunch and then freezing the juice.

But then again, I also like the idea of saving Meyer lemons for some winter cheer when nothing else is working.

🍸More gin cocktail recipes

If you're looking for more tasty gin cocktails, check out some of my other favorite recipes!

If it's currently Meyer lemon season and you want some more ways to enjoy the flavor, use them in a Meyer lemon vinaigrette or even in this unique Meyer lemon tuna carbonara dish!

Now go out there and celebrate Meyer lemon season while you can!

Have you ever had a Meyer lemon cocktail before?

📖 Recipe