How to Make a John Collins Cocktail: A Refreshing Bourbon Classic
October 24, 2022 2025-06-03 20:51How to Make a John Collins Cocktail: A Refreshing Bourbon Classic
How to Make a John Collins Cocktail: A Refreshing Bourbon Classic
Love a timeless cocktail with a citrusy kick? The John Collins is a bubbly bourbon drink that dates back over a century and still hits just right.
Whether you’re brunching or winding down, this smooth and zesty highball is easy to make and impossible not to love.
" John Collins "
How old is this cocktail ?
The John Collins is arguably one of the oldest cocktails out there, which was said to be founded in New York back in the 1850s by a drink historian named David Wondrich.
In reality, it could have originated even further back by a headwaiter who worked at Limmer’s Old House in Conduit Street in Mayfair ( Back in 1790-1817 ) That is such a long time ago !
It’s known to be made by either Gin or Bourbon, with lemon juice, simple syrup & soda water topup
Here is how
you can do it yourself
Ingredients
50 ml ( 1.66 oz ) Bourbon Whisky
25 ml ( 0.83 oz ) Lemon Juice
12 ml ( 0.4 oz ) Simple Syrup
Top up with Soda Water
Garnish : Dried Orange Wheel
How to do it
- Pour the Bourbon, Lemon Juice & Simple Syrup into the Shaker using a Jigger
- Add ice cubes
- Shake Well
- Place a large, rounded ice cube into the Cocktail Glass using a Garnish Tweezer
- Strain the cocktail into the glass
- Top up with Soda Water
- Garnish with a dried orange wheel
Terviseks !
Tom or John? Here’s the Trick
The only real difference between a Tom Collins and a John Collins is the base spirit — gin vs bourbon. When mixing, make sure to use fresh lemon juice and a highball glass filled with ice for that perfect balance of tart and mellow. Want extra citrus aroma? Gently express the dried orange wheel over the glass before garnishing.
