Groupon of all people ranked the most popular cocktails state by state. They have determined that the Tom Collins is Iowa's most popular cocktail. I don't know about you, but i've never had one! Have you?
But I do have a funny story about the Tom Collins. Years ago, I was at Lake of the Ozarks. I was out a ways from my friends. At a boat next to ours, they were playing "Higher Love" by Steve Winwood. As I swam closer, I heard my friends having a conversation. They were saying, "I'm not sure what's in a Phil Collins." I said, "Girls. That's Steve Winwood playing and it's a Tom Collins, not a Phil Collins!"
Wow, did I really just blog that? I never said I wasn't a dork!
Anyway, the most popular cocktails for our neighboring states are Margarita for Illinois and Mojito for Nebraska and Missouri.
Here is how you make a Tom Collins. . .
2 ounces London Dry Gin
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1/2 ounce of simple syrup
club soda
garnish: lemon wedge & cherry
Put the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup in a collins glass. Add ice. Top with club soda and garnish.