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
easy
Difficulty
collins
Glass
Flavor Profile
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.”
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
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the John Collins.
Sour Collins
Extra lemon and less syrup for a tarter highball.
Changes
Elderflower Collins
Swap syrup for St‑Germain to add floral sweetness.
Changes
Tom Collins
Old Tom gin original that spawned the family.
Changes
Vodka Collins (Joe Collins)
Clean, neutral vodka in place of whiskey.
Changes
Ron Collins
Light rum base for tropical flair.
Changes
Colonel Collins
Rye whiskey gives a spicier edge.
Changes
Sandy Collins
Scotch highball riff in the Collins format.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Tom Collins
Classic gin, lemon, sugar and soda highball—effervescent, citrusy, and named for its Old Tom gin roots.
Whiskey Sour
A timeless blend of whiskey, lemon, and sugar shaken silky with egg white—template for the entire sour family.
Gold Rush
Bourbon, honey, and lemon. A honey-sweetened whiskey sour that's become a modern classic.