John CollinsCocktail recipe
Rating
The John Collins is a refreshing classic cocktail that is a close relative of the Tom Collins, with a history that dates back to the 19th century. It typically features a crisp blend of lemon juice and gin, balanced out with sweet sugar syrup and topped with a splash of soda water for a fizzy finish.
Served in a tall highball glass and often garnished with a slice of lemon and a maraschino cherry, the John Collins provides a harmonious mix of sour and sweet flavors with a bubbly texture that makes it an ideal choice for sipping on a warm day or as a palate-cleansing pre-dinner drink.
Microbadges
Tags
Highball glass
Ingredients
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Method
How to make a John Collins
-
- Pour all ingredients except the bitters directly into highball glass filled with ice
-
- Stir gently
-
- Garnish with a lemon slice and maraschino cherry and serve
Power tips
Elevate the John Collins with these master mixologist tips
Upgrade to premium
And receive world class tips on how to raise your cocktails to the next level.
Find out more- Upgrade to premium to receive power tips from top bartenders around the world. Raise you mixology game.
- Read the tweaks that take this simple cocktail to the next level of greatness. Become the next best mixologist which people all talk about.
Your private tasting notes
Can you make this?
Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.
Featured in
FAQ's
What is the origin of the John Collins cocktail?
The John Collins cocktail is named after a headwaiter who worked at Limmer's Old House in London during the 19th century. The creation of the cocktail is attributed to him, and it's believed to have been first made in the 1820s. The drink became widely popular in England and eventually made its way across the globe.
Why is the John Collins cocktail stirred and not shaken?
The John Collins cocktail is stirred and not shaken to maintain the clarity and texture of the drink. Shaking can introduce air bubbles and create a cloudy appearance, while stirring gently combines the ingredients while preserving the soda water's carbonation, leading to a smooth and visually appealing cocktail.
What are some traditional garnishes for a John Collins?
A traditional John Collins is typically garnished with a lemon slice and a maraschino cherry. These garnishes add a pop of color and a hint of additional flavor that complements the citrus notes of the cocktail.
How does the alcohol content in a John Collins compare to other classic cocktails?
With an alcohol content of roughly 12%, the John Collins has a relatively moderate alcohol content when compared to other classic cocktails. For instance, a Martini or a Manhattan typically has a higher alcohol content, ranging from 25% to 30%, making the John Collins a lighter option suitable for social occasions where guests might prefer a less potent drink.
What is the ideal occasion to serve a John Collins?
The John Collins, with its refreshing and moderately alcoholic profile, is perfect for serving at summer parties, outdoor barbecues, or any casual gathering. Its light and effervescent nature makes it an excellent choice for daytime events or as a welcome drink to kick off an evening.
Upgrade your mixology
Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11. Or become a premium member to rise to cocktail greatness.
- Save your bar forever
- Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
- Create personalised cocktail menus for all your events, bars or parties
- Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
- Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
- Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
- A personalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
- And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Have you tried our Wordpress Plugin?
Download our plugin and embed cocktail recipes directly onto your own site or blog.
Choose from our whole recipe database, or choose a specific cocktail made with a certain ingredient, and let us place a beautiful recipe on your own site.
Find out moreYou might also like
The Perfect Martini
The Perfect Martini is a sophisticated twist on the classic martini that balances the botanical notes of gin with the...
Lavender French 75
The Lavender French 75 is a fragrant twist on the classic French 75 cocktail, renowned for its sophisticated blend of...
Monkey Gland
The Monkey Gland is a classic cocktail that harks back to the Roaring Twenties. It's a vibrant mix, notably combining...
Tuscan Blue Fizz
The Tuscan Blue Fizz is an aromatic cocktail that marries the herbal notes of rosemary with the juniper essence of...
Create a cocktail
Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.
Register as a Premium Make Me a Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.
Start creatingBuild your bar
Tell us what you have at home and we’ll find a delicious cocktail for you to make right now.
Register as a Make Me a Cocktail community member and we’ll save your ingredients list so you can come back to it at any time.
Create My Bar
Comments
No comments yet…
You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register