It’s been insanely sunny in Portland lately, and since all the bars are closed due to the pandemic, we’re making cocktails at home. I like playing bartender, but I never want to make anything too complicated. Enter: White Claw. The gluten-free spiked seltzers are an easy way to add carbonation and flavor to a cocktail. And they’re perfect when you want to channel your inner bro. (This post is not sponsored by White Claw, but I wouldn’t say no if they came knocking…)
I like gin cocktails, and a Tom Collins is one of my favorites. It’s basically gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and club soda – simple and refreshing on a sunny day. Recently, during a Zoom happy hour with a friend, I was craving a Tom Collins but didn’t have any club soda – just a mango White Claw. Thus, the Tom Clawlins cocktail was born.
The beauty of the Tom Clawlins cocktail (no, I won’t stop calling it that) lies in its versatility. And versatility is key in this pandemic, as we’re all trying to work with what we have on hand to limit trips to the store. So feel free to swap out the gin for vodka, the mango White Claw for grapefruit Truly, or the lemon juice for lime juice. You really just need four things: Clear liquor, sour fruit juice, simple syrup and carbonation.
Tom Clawlins Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces Old Tom or London dry gin
- 1 ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
- 1 Mango White Claw or similar spiked seltzer
- ½ ounce simple syrup (see note) or 1 teaspoon fast-dissolving sugar
- Garnish: lemon peel and mint
Instructions
- Add gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a tall-ish glass. Add a few ice cubes and stir.
- Top off the glass with the White Claw and stir. (If using sugar instead of simple syrup, sprinkle it on at this point and stir.)
- Garnish and serve!
Notes
The Tom Clawlins cocktail got you in a happy hour mood? Try my blood orange gin and tonic, or my pomegranate Moscow mule. Cheers!