Fresh Strawberry Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe

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Perfect for Mother’s Day or happy hour on any day! The classic Tom Collins cocktail get a twist with some fresh strawberry puree. Fruity & delicious!
Two tall glasses filled with strawberry gin cocktail, with a lime wedge.

This Strawberry Tom Collins cocktail stole my heart the first time I tasted it. What better way to start off the backyard party season than with a cooling cocktail that highlights fresh fruit? This fruity take on the popular gin cocktail fits the bill perfectly!

If you’re a fan of gin cocktails like I am, give my Passionfruit & Lime Gin Martini or Clementine & Lemon Gin Cocktail a try.

What’s in a Tom Collins? The classic recipe is a simple concoction of gin, simple syrup, lemon and club soda. Simply flavors and perfect in every way.

However, this Tom Collins maker happened to have a heck of a lot of fresh strawberries sitting in her fridge. So, the classic cocktail got a little summertime makeover with a splash of homemade (easy!) strawberry puree, slightly sweetened with agave nectar, and a squeeze of lime juice.

This cocktail is not overly sweet, nor is it overly berry-ish. If you’re hoping for a full-on hit of strawberry, reminiscent of a strawberry margarita, well…then I suggest making a margarita. But if you want something that’s subtly flavored, cold and perfectly refreshing, then this is your drink.

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Bowl of strawberries with a bottle of Beefeater gin and bar tools.

WHAT YOU NEED FOR THIS STRAWBERRY TOM COLLINS COCKTAIL RECIPE:

These are the main components need for this recipe (affiliate links included)…

  • Strawberries (of course!): When fresh strawberries are in season, opt for those. In the off months, frozen (defrosted) strawberries are a good option.
  • Gin: I happened to use Beefeater Gin because that’s what my dad has used for martinis since the beginning of time. However, a ton of small distilleries have opened up around the country over the past several years and they’re making some great products. If you’re a gin lover, be sure to check those out.
  • Agave nectar: Rather than using a simple syrup, which is made from water and granulated sugar, I sweetened this cocktail with agave nectar. Honey would also work.
  • Lime juice: Please use fresh lime or lemon juice in cocktails whenever possible. It really does make a difference.
  • Club soda: The perfect amount of sparkle to top off these drinks.

Small glass pitcher filled with strawberry puree, plus a cut lime, a bottle of gin and two empty Collins glasses.

Tips for making this drink:

Start by puree the strawberries and agave nectar in a blender until smooth. If you prefer a seedless puree, press the it through a fine mesh sieve. Be sure to place a bowl underneath the sieve to catch the puree (speaking from personal experience on that one – facepalm!)

Place some ice cubes in a couple of Collins glasses (affiliate), then pour in the strawberry puree, gin and lime juice. Give it a stir with a long spoon, fill up the glasses with club soda, then stir again.

Ready to imbibe!

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Overhead shot of two glasses with ice and strawberry puree, container of ice, bottle of gin and a cut lime.

What is a Collins glass?

A Collins glass (affiliate) is a tall, skinny glass that holds between 10 and 14 fluid ounces). And you guessed it – it’s used to served drinks like the Tom Collins.

What’s the difference between a Collins glass and a highball glass? The Collins glass is typically taller than a highball glass, and usually holds a couple of ounces more than the highball.

Overhead shot of two Strawberry Tom Collins drinks, a pitcher of strawberry puree and a cut lime.

Other summertime cocktails:

Collage of an avocado margarita and a Pink Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail.
Kicked-Up Avocado Margarita Recipe {Cookin’ Canuck}
Pink Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail Recipe {Cookin’ Canuck}
Hotel Inspired White Peach Sangria {Foodiecrush}
Southside Cocktail {Inspired Taste}

Two tall glasses filled with strawberry gin cocktail, with a lime wedge.

Fresh Strawberry Tom Collins Cocktail Recipe

Perfect for Mother’s Day or happy hour on any day! The classic Tom Collins cocktail get a twist with some fresh strawberry puree. Fruity & delicious!
Print Pin Rate
Course: Beverages
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Tom Collins Recipe
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 2 Cocktails
Calories: 187.6kcal
Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces strawberries hulled & quartered
  • 1 tablespoon agave nectar
  • ice cubes
  • 3 ounces gin divided
  • 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice divided
  • club soda
  • lime wedges for garnish

Instructions

  • Place the strawberries and agave nectar in a blender, and puree until smooth.
  • Using two collins glasses, place a few ice cubes in each glass.
  • Divide the gin, lime juice and strawberry puree between the two glasses. Stir with a long spoon.
  • Fill the glasses to the top with club soda. Stir again and garnish with lime wedges. Serve.

Notes

Weight Watchers Points: 6 (Blue – Freestyle SmartPoints), 6 (Green), 6 (Purple)

Nutrition

Serving: 1Cocktail | Calories: 187.6kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.8g | Fat: 0.6g | Sodium: 2.7mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15.4g
Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

This post was first published on May 20, 2013 and updated on May 7, 2020.

Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Comments

  10. Julie says

    This looks so light and refreshing! I’m bookmarking it for when strawberries are in season again… which is not for another 4 weeks here 🙁

    Reply

  19. Amanda says

    Those pictures should be in a magazine… seriously stunning! Great recipe and love how you are so dedicated to being healthy. I am just starting to try it and your blog has been a GO-TO for me… for beautiful and delicious recipes and wonderful writing and photography. I feel so lucky to have met you so many years ago and love seeing how you are making the world a better place!

    Reply

  21. Mr. & Mrs. P says

    Just from the ingredients we would love this cocktail.. We are saving this for later… We are leaving for Paris tomorrow, so once we get back will unwind from our travels with one of these.. =)

    Reply

  23. Donna says

    We just built a new deck on our house – C’mon over and let’s lounge on the deck whilst we have some fancy pretty drinks like these!

    Reply

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