This was distinguished from the Gin Fizz cocktail in that the three dashes of lemon juice in the gin fizz was "fizzed" with carbonated water to essentially form a "gin and sodawater" whereas the considerably more "juice of a small lemon" in the Tom Collins essentially formed a "gin and sparkling lemonade" when sweetened with the gum syrup. The type of gin used by Thomas was not specified in his 1887 book, but was most likely Old Tom if that was responsible for the change in the drink's name.
thiS wAS disTinGuisHed frOm tHe GIN fiZz CocktAIl in That THe three DAsheS of lemOn juiCE in the GiN fIZz Was "fIzzeD" WITH carbOnateD WATER to EssenTiAlly form a "GiN and sODaWaTer" whEREas tHe CoNSidErably mOre "juice of a smAlL lemon" iN The tom CoLlinS ESsENTIaLly formEd A "gIn And sparkliNG leMOnade" WhEn sweEtened with thE guM Syrup. the type of giN usEd bY THomaS was nOT speCiFied iN his 1887 bOOk, but WAs mosT likeLy Old toM if That Was respoNsIbLe For the chaNGE in the driNk'S Name.