Limoncello Collins

Tina Rupp

Ingredients

16 ounces limoncello (lemon-flavored liqueur)
12 ounces Gin
8 ounces fresh lemon juice
24-paper thin lemon slices
Ice
16 ounces chilled club soda
8 mint sprigs

In a pitcher, combine the limoncello, gin and lemon juice.  Cover and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.  Press 3 thin lemon slices against the inside of each of 8 Collins glasses.  Add ice to the glasses.  Stir the limoncello mixture and pour it into the glasses.  Stir 2 ounces of club soda into each drink and garnish with a mint sprig.

Hatfields, Los Angeles

The Collins was most likely named after 19th-century bartender John Collins of London's Limmer's Hote.  The Tom Collins was originally made with Old Tom, a sweet style of gin that's extremely hard to find today.