The John Collins is a Collins cocktail – that is, a long drink stirred with ice and topped with soda – made from London dry gin, lemon juice, sugar and carbonated water. The John Collins cocktail was attested to in 1869, but may be older. It is believed to have originated with a headwaiter of that name who worked at Limmer’s Old House in London around 1790–1817.
INGREDIENTS
- 3 parts / 45 ml/ 1 ½ oz. Gin
- 2 parts / 30 ml/ 1 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 part / 15 ml/ ½ oz. sugar syrup
- 4 parts / 60 ml/ 2 oz. carbonated water
METHOD
- Pour all ingredients directly into highball glass filled with ice.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with lemon slice and marshino cherry.
- Add a dash of Angostura bitters.
NOTES
Difference between Fizz and Collins. It is difficult to distinguish between a fizz and a collins because both drinks are sours supplemented with soda water. The recipes are often the same or differ only in details. The “official” recipes for a Gin Fizz and a John Collins differ, for example, in that the Gin Fizz is not “built” in the guest glass, but the sour mix is shaken separately with ice and only then filled with soda in the guest glass. In addition, it is served in a tumbler, while the Collins is served in a Collins or long drink glass.
SHOPPING LIST
- Gin (Old Tom) | USA | UK* | Germany*
- Sugar syrup | USA* | UK* | Germany*
- Soda water | USA* | UK* | Germany*
- Glasses | USA* | UK* | Germany*
