(The late) Tom Collins

So a funny thing happened last night. I'm at the restaurant—nothing major, just Thursday Chinese to get the weekend started—and I decided to have a cocktail rather than a Kirin. Summer's here, after all, and the time is right… I ask the server for that consummate summer refresher, a Tom Collins.

"What's that?" he asked. Oh my.

"Oh, you know," I replied, "gin, Collins mix, ice." He din't know what I meant.

"'Collins mix'? I've never heard of this."

OK. Times change. And it turns out Collins mix is extinct. (Schwepps, why have you forsaken me?) But I thought a Tom Collins was one of those basic drinks that survive, like a Manhattan, Old Fashioned, and Martini. You know, standing the test of time, not dated, like the Appletini, the Tequila Sunrise, or the Purple Hooter. I'm wrong, though: Tom Collins is forgotten.

So here you go, drink resuscitators! Tom Collins:

• shot of gin
• 1/2 shot lemon juice
• 1 tsp of sugar

Fill a shaker with ice. Add gin, juice and sugar. Shake with your personal style, and strain into a Collins glass filled with ice. Top off with club soda, then garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange slice.

Grasp with confidence, walk to pool with casual unconcern.