A Berry Tom Collins is the kind of cocktail that makes you feel like summer actually showed up. Gin, fresh muddled berries, a squeeze of citrus, and a splash of tonic water come together in under 10 minutes for a drink that’s refreshing, fruity, and just a little bit fancy without trying too hard. Whether you’re hosting a backyard gathering or just need something cold and delicious at the end of a long week, this one delivers every time.
The classic Tom Collins cocktail has been around since the 1870s, but the berry twist is what makes it feel made for right now. I love adding fresh thyme for a subtle herbal note that plays beautifully against the sweetness of the raspberries and strawberries. If you’re a fan of fruity sippers, you’ll also want to check out my Apple Cider Margarita or this gorgeous S’mores Martini for your next happy hour lineup.
In This Post
Why this Works
The magic here is in the muddling. When you press fresh berries and thyme together, you’re releasing the natural juices and aromatic oils that give this drink its deep, vibrant color and layered flavor. A quick simple syrup made with lime juice instead of plain water adds a bright citrusy backbone that keeps the whole cocktail from tipping too sweet.
Gin is the spirit of choice for a classic Tom Collins, and it’s the right call here too. The botanical notes in gin pair naturally with both the berries and the thyme, creating something that tastes intentional and complex even though it’s genuinely simple to make.
Heather’s Recipe Notes
Drawing from 20 years of recipe development and my time co-founding a spice company, here’s what makes this recipe worth making exactly as written.
- Fresh berries make a real difference here. Raspberries and strawberries are my go-to, but blackberries work beautifully too if that’s what you have on hand.
- Don’t skip the thyme. It sounds unexpected, but it gives the cocktail an herbal depth that elevates the whole thing. Strip the leaves off the stems before muddling.
- The lime simple syrup comes together in just a couple of minutes on the stovetop. Let it cool before adding it to the shaker so you’re not melting your ice before the party even starts.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer if you want a smooth, pulp-free cocktail. If you’re more of a “I don’t mind a little texture” person, a standard cocktail strainer is fine.
- This recipe makes two cocktails, but it scales easily. Muddle in batches and set up a little cocktail station if you’re making these for a crowd.
Ingredients in a Strawberry Tom Collins
- Strawberries & Raspberries – fresh berries bring a bright note to this classic Tom Collins cocktail recipe.
- Fresh Thyme – adds a hint of earthy flavor, and is optional.
- Gin – the star of the show. Make sure you use a good quality gin.
- Key Lime Juice – key limes are more tart with a floral flavor. If they are not in season or you can’t find them, use regular lime juice.
- Granulated Sugar – adds sweetness to the lime simple syrup.
- Tonic Water – the other necessity for a classic Gin & Tonic cocktail.
Recipe Variations & Add-Ins
- No gin? Vodka works as a clean, neutral substitute if you prefer a spirit-forward drink without the botanicals.
- Swap tonic water for club soda if you want less sweetness and a lighter finish.
- Try blackberries or blueberries in place of (or in addition to) raspberries and strawberries for a deeper, earthier berry flavor.
- Leave out the thyme entirely if you want a more straightforward fruit forward cocktail. Or swap it for fresh mint for a different herbal vibe.
- For a mocktail version, skip the gin and add a splash of sparkling white grape juice or extra tonic water.
How to Store & Make-Ahead Tips
- This cocktail is best made fresh to order. The berries and thyme lose their brightness once muddled and left to sit.
- You can make the lime simple syrup up to 2 weeks ahead and store it in a sealed jar in the refrigerator.
- Pre-muddle the berries and thyme up to a few hours ahead and keep the mixture covered in the fridge until you’re ready to shake.
- If you’re batch-making for a party, mix up the muddled berry base and gin ahead of time, then pour over ice and top with tonic water per glass right before serving.
- Already-made cocktails do not store well. The carbonation from the tonic water goes flat quickly, so always finish what’s in the glass.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Berry Tom Collins is a variation on the classic Tom Collins cocktail. The traditional version is made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. This berry version swaps in fresh muddled raspberries and strawberries, uses lime juice in the simple syrup, and adds fresh thyme for an herbal note. The result is a fruity, fizzy, refreshing summer gin cocktails.
A London Dry gin works best for a Tom Collins because its clean, juniper-forward flavor doesn’t compete with the other ingredients. Brands like Tanqueray, Beefeater, or Hendricks (which has a subtle cucumber note that pairs nicely with berries) are all solid choices. Avoid heavily flavored or novelty gins that might clash with the fruit.
Yes. Vodka is the most common substitute and keeps the cocktail light and fruit-forward. You could also use a sparkling white wine or prosecco in place of gin and tonic water for a Berry Collins Spritz variation.
Both are gin-based cocktails with fizz, but they’re pretty different in flavor profile. A Tom Collins includes citrus juice and simple syrup, making it a sour-style cocktail with a slightly sweet-tart balance. A gin and tonic is simply gin and tonic water, which is more bitter and less sweet. The Tom Collins is fruitier and more layered in flavor.
A muddler is the easiest tool for the job, but you don’t need one. The handle of a wooden spoon works just as well for pressing the berries and releasing their juice. The goal is to crush the fruit enough to release the liquid and flavor, not to completely pulverize it.
You can do most of the prep in advance. Make the lime simple syrup up to two weeks ahead, and muddle the berry-thyme mixture a few hours before guests arrive. Store the muddled base in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, add gin, shake with ice, strain into glasses, and top with tonic water. Fully assembled cocktails don’t hold well because the carbonation dissipates quickly.
More Delicious Recipes
- Apple Cider Margarita
- Huckleberry Scones
- Cajun Shrimp Stew
- Spicy Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
- Thyme Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Berry Tom Collins
Recommended Tools
Ingredients
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp water
- 1 tsp key lime juice
- ¼ cup fresh raspberries
- ¼ cup fresh strawberries, hulled
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only, optional
- 2 shots gin
- tonic water, to fill the glass
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, water and lime juice and heat over medium-low flame, just until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- In a martini shaker add the raspberries, strawberries and thyme leaves, reserving 2 raspberries for garnish. Use a muddler or wooden spoon handle and crush the fruit and thyme.
- Fill shaker 2/3 full with ice, add the gin, and shake vigorously. Strain into 2 glasses and top with tonic water. Garnish with a raspberry and cheers!
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Nutrition
*Nutritional information is not guaranteed to be accurate.
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Hi! I’m Heather
I’m Heather, a recipe developer and content creator based in Vancouver, Washington. I started Farmgirl Gourmet in 2006 because I believed weeknight dinners shouldn’t be boring and gourmet shouldn’t mean complicated. I’m also the co-founder of Spiceology, so safe to say I think about food for a living. Stick around for recipes that actually make it into your regular rotation.
I really love this recipe and hope you will too!