John Collins
The John Collins is a refreshing classic cocktail that combines gin, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water, served over ice in a tall glass.
- 5 min
- Easy
- Collins glass
- 6 ingredients
John Collins
Ingredients
- Bourbon2 oz
- Lemon juice1 oz
- Sugar1 tsp superfine
- Club soda3 oz
- Maraschino cherry1
- Orange1
Method
- Pour all ingredients directly into highball glass filled with ice.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish.
- Add a dash of Angostura bitters.
What you need
Nothing fancy. Here is what to look for. We earn a small cut if you buy through these links, at no cost to you.
A long bar spoon
Long enough to reach the bottom of a tall glass, with a twisted stem.
See on Amazon ↗A hand citrus press
Fresh juice is the biggest upgrade you can make to any sour drink.
See on Amazon ↗The hero bottle
If you've been curious about bourbon but intimidated by whiskey culture, you've found the right starting point. Bourbon cocktails offer one of the most beginner-friendly entry points into the world of spirits — unlike some whiskeys that can taste harsh or overly complex to new drinkers, bourbon's naturally sweet character makes it exceptionally mixable and approachable.
See 17 Bourbon drinksWhere it comes from
The John Collins represents a foundational family of collins-style cocktails, emerging from 19th-century American bartending traditions and named after a specific head bartender of that era. This gin-based drink became a template for countless variations like the Tom Collins, embodying the principles of balance and refreshment central to classic cocktail design. The John Collins represents the systematization of cocktail recipes during the golden age of American saloon culture.
Tips from the bar
- Use London Dry style gin for classic flavor profile
- Fresh lemon juice is essential - never use sour mix
- Simple syrup should be equal parts sugar and water
- Shake vigorously with ice before straining
- Top with quality soda water and stir gently for even carbonation
Twists worth trying
- Tom Collins
- A gin variation that became more popular than the original
- Pedro Collins
- A rum-based version using white rum instead of gin
- Vodka Collins
- A modern adaptation using vodka as the spirit base
What to eat with it
- Smoked salmon sandwiches
- Lemon chicken
- Caesar salad
- Grilled vegetable skewers
- Lemon tart
The finished drink
Questions
What is in a John Collins?
A John Collins is made with bourbon, lemon juice, sugar, club soda, maraschino cherry, orange.
What glass do you use for a John Collins?
Serve a John Collins in a collins glass.
What does a John Collins taste like?
Expect refreshing, citrusy, slightly sweet.
What can I make with Bourbon?
We have 17 drinks built around Bourbon. See them all on the Bourbon page.
More with Bourbon
Every Bourbon drink →One good drink, every Friday.
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