John Collins
The bourbon take on the 19th‑century gin punch from Limmer's Old House—spirit, lemon, sugar and sparkling water built tall and fizzy.
16%
ABV
172
Calories
Collins
Glass
Flavor Profile
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add bourbon, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice
Shake vigorously for 15 seconds
Strain into a collins glass filled with ice
Top with soda water
Garnish with lemon wheel and cherry
Glassware
Served over ice in a collins glass
Garnish
Fresh lemon wheel
Cherry on pick
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Build the drink directly in the chilled glass to retain carbonation
Adjust syrup or lemon to taste for sweet vs. sour versions
Use large, cold ice to keep dilution in check
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the John Collins.
Tom Collins
Classic gin, lemon, sugar and soda highball—effervescent, citrusy, and named for its Old Tom gin roots.
Vodka Collins (Joe Collins)
A crystalline, effervescent highball representing the mid-20th century ascendance of vodka, offering a cleaner, more neutral canvas than the gin-based Tom Collins.
Ron Collins
A deceptively simple and profoundly refreshing cocktail that marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Collins family of drinks. It transforms the gin-based Tom Collins into a distinctly Caribbean icon with Cuban-style rum.
Colonel Collins
A bourbon Collins—whiskey, lemon, and sugar lengthened with soda over ice.
Sandy Collins
The Scottish adaptation of the classic Collins - a refreshing long drink that marries blended Scotch whisky with lemon, sugar, and soda for an approachable introduction to the nuanced world of Scotch.
Other Variations
Sour Collins
Extra lemon and less syrup for a tarter highball.
Changes
Elderflower Collins
Swap syrup for St‑Germain to add floral sweetness.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Headwaiter John Collins of Limmer's Old House in London served a famed gin punch in the mid‑1800s. As the drink crossed the Atlantic it morphed through Old Tom and genever bases into the Tom Collins, while American bartenders eventually adopted bourbon for a richer "John Collins" that endures as the whiskey member of the Collins family.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Colonel Collins
A bourbon Collins—whiskey, lemon, and sugar lengthened with soda over ice.
Boston Sour
A whiskey sour with a silky crown—bourbon, lemon, and simple syrup shaken with egg white for a classic foam.
Brandy Collins
Brandy, lemon, and sugar lengthened with sparkling soda—an elegant, effervescent Collins variation.