Named after a hoax that was doing the rounds of New York in 1874, the Tom Collins is one of the most iconic cocktails around. An easy-going sweet, gin drink, just the thing for getting prepared to wind someone up on a summer afternoon. Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup topped with carbonated water, garnished with lemon slice and a maraschino cherry.

A little bit fruity with a delicately balanced flavour, this is a modern classic to be reckoned with. Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup shaken with a hint of berry liqueur and garnished with a blackberry and lemon wedge.

Classic, easy and light. The best G&T's are made with the best gins with a slight citrus flavour and blend of botanicals. Finish it off with the right tonic and just a squeeze of lime and you're onto a winner. If you want to mix it up, try a tonic with a fruity spin or a bit of basil and tomato, there are infinite possible variations.

Best enjoyed on a hot day although the ginger flavour has the warming qualities to make it a good choice on a cooler evening. Gin, ginger liqueur, lime juice, a splash of ginger syrup and topped with mineral water.

Created in the 1900's in Paris the French 75 is the ultimate celebratory cocktail. Not overly sweet, this twist on the classic is made with blood orange instead of lemon. A fusion of gin and citrus topped with champagne it's the perfect signature drink for a special day.

Simple on the surface but there's much more going on than you might imagine. Created in 1919 when Count Camillo Negroni wanted a little muscle in his Americano. Equal parts Maidenii Sweet Vermouth, Campari and Four Pillers Gin stirred over ice and strained into a rocks glass with a twist of orange. Unexpectedly exciting.

This earl grey and elderflower gin cocktail provides you with a surprising sense of relaxed sophistication – imagine an afternoon in the garden playing in the garden followed by cucumber sandwiches. Crusts cut off of course. Earl grey infused gin, elderflower cordial & lemon juice, filled with mineral water and topped with a few drips of aphrodite bitters.

A play on the classic Bramble this drink is a little bit sweeter lengthened by the lemon soda. Gin, lemon juice, sugar syrup shaken with a berry liqueur and topped with the lemon soda and a blackberry garnish. Almost everybody will love this.

Summer is coming, it's a warm sunny afternoon and you have a cold drink in hand. Gin is easily substituted with Vodka in this drink. Blueberries, Gin, St Germain and lemon juice filled with a lemon soda.

The traditional Collins drinks is a good starting point for creating something just a little different and this will delight. Gin, elderflower liqueur, just a nip of elderflower cordial, topped with carbonated water and traditionally garnished with a maraschino cherry.

This drink is a distinctly British take on the ever popular mojito, substituting gin and tonic for the rum and soda in the original and adding a refreshing hint of cucumber to the mix. Created by Jake Burger it's a suitably different go to drink on a summers day.

Another mix up off our favourite Collins drink, this one taking on a fruity twist. Grapes muddles with apple juice, a nip of lime juice and gin (Hendricks is our pick in this one), topped with your choice of either lemonade or mineral water, depending on how sweet you are.

The Aviation dates from the early age of aeronautics when air travel was a glamorous luxury that only the rich could afford. Gin, creme de violette, maraschino juice and lemon juice, shaken and served straight up with a maraschino cherry.

The traditional greyhound cocktail with a bit of a sweet twist. Vodka, Elderflower liqueur (St Germain), and fresh grapefruit juice (best when ruby reds are in season) adds a subtle sweetness. Shaken with lots of ice, everyone will love this.

Soo easy to drink this martini will 'get the party started' or 'keep the party going allll night long'! A good vodka is key to a delicious espresso martini, we like to shake ours up with a local cold drip coffee, Kahlua, and if you're into it, just a hint of White Crème De Cacao.

This summer, enjoy a vodka Martini with a real twist — lychee. The exotic sweetness of the fruit brightens the citrus flavors in this truly refreshing drink.

As the story goes, this was invented in Hollywood when a bar owner couldn’t move his Smirnoff or Ginger Beer. He bought copper mugs made by a young Russian girl to serve his special mix in to make it stand out. The legend says it put Smirnoff Vodka on the map! A high quality vodka essential, fresh lime juice and a spicy ginger beer.

An interesting mix of flavours with muddled lime and simple syrup topped with fresh cranberry juice, vodka and hazelnut elixir.

We found this on one of our favourite blogs A Better Happier St Sebastian, who so precisely describes it as "when you're hungover it's a cheeseburger". Vodka, blackberry juice, Campari and we’ve mixed it up slightly filling with a snappy cranberry soda and a spicy ginger beer.

We love this most because of its simplicity, we heard somebody describe it as the T-shirt of drinks. Choose a rye whisky or bourbon shaken with egg white, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup. That’s it. Delicious.

The GoGo Bar crowd pleaser and somewhat of a warm chill. Buffalo Trace, Laird's Applejack, Rhubarb Bitters, Apple Brandy, Fresh Mint + Sugar.

Signature drink of the Derby, a julep is actually a pretty simple variation on the basic whiskey cocktail. Some sugar and mint is muddled at the bottom of a glass, then in goes the ice and the booze, a cool, sweetened Bourbon whiskey, not a rye, not a scotch. Topped with grated nutmeg, this is a Bourbon drinker’s mint julep — there isn’t enough sugar in it to take the edge off the liquor. Cumulative bliss.

Very similar to our favourite Tom Collins this is another of one of our many variations. Made with bourbon whisky, but still mixed with lemon juice, simple syrup, and mineral water making a refreshing cocktail.

A fine scotch whiskey mixed with a fiery ginger ale and garnished with a piece of candied ginger. For some reason it’s both a great winter and summer drink.

Its current resurgence might entirely be credited to Don Draper, but the old fashioned has (apparently) been the old fashioned way of making a cocktail since forever. You somehow always seem to have the ingredients on hand. Brown sugar syrup, with a couple of dashes of bitters muddled with a slice of orange and a cherry and a generous splash of Bourbon or Rye Whiskey. Drink slowly.

Dating back to the 1800 this is whiskeys answer to the martini. Sweet vermouth, Bourbon or a Rye Whiskey, bitters and a cherry. Shaken then served up or on the rocks.

Have a drink. This drinks is good. It’s a little bit sweet and delicious. It also has whiskey in it. Don’t like whiskey? Try it anyway, we think you’ll like it. Cointreau, whiskey (we like Monkey’s Shoulder), fresh lemon and lime juice, a hint of sugar syrup and topped with tonic.

There will be Bourbon in the summertime. Frangelico makes this slightly more complex, a hint of bitter lemon juice, topped with lemon soda and mint leaves.

This is a special from our favourite blog, A Better Happier St Sebastian. They make good drinks. And good food. We’re big fans. Strawberry puree, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup and a smooth rye whiskey topped with mineral water.

Hemingway is associated with a number of cocktails, he was, after all, a heavy drinker. White rum (we like to use Havana Club 3 anejo), fresh lime juice, maraschino liqueur - all shaken with grapefruit juice. Refreshing, delicious.

Use a lighter rum but we prefer a Captain Morgan’s or Sailor Jerry’s Spiced Rum. Simply served with a freshly squeezed lime juice, and topped with a spicy ginger ale. It’s got a nice kick to it.

You can’t go past a good mojito. Havana Club 3 Anejo, sugar syrup, fresh lime juice and fresh mint. Off you go to the dance floor.

We always wonder how cocktails can be traced back to their inventor. This is made by Dale DeGroff, a recognized genius and craftsman among bartenders, as a tribute to the great bartenders of Cuba. On its way to becoming a classic a mix of Anejo Rum, Orange Curacao, fresh lime juice, a few dashes of bitters and topped with a spicy ginger beer.

A very simple mix but sometimes simple is exactly what you need. Havana Club 3 Anejo, fresh lime juice, topped with a tangy grapefruit soda.

Who wouldn’t like Raspberries with lime and tequila? Super delicious, we suggest serve shaken on the rocks.

Get rosy cheeked with this fresh and light crowd pleaser. Think how good Elderflower, Rose Water with Tequila and cucumber is going to be on a bright sunny day.

A sweet-and-sour spin on the classic Paloma. Tequila, grapefruit soda and a generous dose of freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit juice with just a dash of lime brings this cocktail to life.

“You’ll love this with the first sip!” Some say a gentle introduction to the unusual, bitter taste of Campari. Campari, Sweet Vermouth (we like to use Maidenii) topped with Mineral Water and an orange rind twist.

What can we say about Pimms, It’s the ultimate garden drink, we love Pimms so much here at Tom Collins HQ we can recommend 4 different kinds! Rangoon Pimms with Pomegranate Molasses and Vermouth, Grapefruit Pimms, Blood Orange Pimms and the Classic No1 Cup Recipe. Beware! it’s so delicious you won’t be able to stop yourself.

Lock up your Nonnas, this Italian beauty is smooth and sweet, and not at all sour. Amaretto, lime juice, lemon juice, egg white shaken with sugar syrup and bitters. Served with a cherry on top.

Sparkling eyes, full lips and fruity body this champagne cocktail lets one roo out of the top paddock. Champagne of your choice, with freshly squeezed orange juice and just a nib of triple sec.

Unique, Simple and Classy. Yum. Aperol, Prosecco, Miner Water and an orange slice.

Direct from Italy, blending citrus with citrus is never a dull boy. Slightly bitter and very, very refreshing. Campari and Blood Orange – what more do you need?

Complex, beautiful and exotic, so very delicious (yes we are still talking about cocktails). Pisco, fresh lemon juice and sugar syrup topped with a lemon soda.