Who is Tom Collins, anyway?

Forgive the plastic cup in the photo above. Traditional Collins glasses just wouldn't work on the boat I spent Fourth of July weekend on. Regardless, I just had to share this recipe for a super simple, classic sip that is perfect for these warm weather days and steamy nights.

Tom Collins
2 oz. gin
1 oz. lemon juice
1 tsp. simple syrup
Club soda

Shake first three ingredients together with ice. Pour over ice and top with club soda.

So who was Tom Collins? With a little digging I discovered that no one really knows for sure, but the name could have come from Old Tom, a gin that was used back in the '50s, while the last name may have belonged to the bartender who first created the sip.