How to Make a John Collins Cocktail

A John Collins cocktail is a gin-based drink that was inspired by the classic Tom Collins cocktail. Unlike the Tom Collins, however, the John Collins uses dry gin, giving the cocktail a bolder taste. The John Collins cocktail is served in a Collins or highball glass filled with crushed ice; however, you can also serve a John Collins in a chilled martini glass with a few ice cubes.

Things You'll Need

• Cocktail shaker
• Crushed ice
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1/2 tbsp. powdered sugar
• 3 oz. dry gin
• Collins or highball glass
• Soda water
• Lemon peel

Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with crushed ice.

2. Add the lemon juice, powdered sugar and dry gin to the cocktail shaker.

3. Cover the cocktail shaker, and shake gently for 10 to 15 seconds.

4. Strain the contents of the cocktail shaker into a Collins or highball glass half-filled with crushed ice.

5. Fill the glass with soda water, and garnish the drink with a twisted lemon peel. Serve immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• If you prefer a sweeter cocktail add 1/2 tbsp. of lemon syrup to the shaker before mixing. If you don’t want to add more lemon flavor, you can use an equivalent amount of plain simple syrup.

References

• "The Bartender's Best Friend"; Mardee Regan; 2002
• "The Ultimate Bar Book"; Mittie Hellmich; 2006

Resources

• Webtender: An On-Line Bartender
• All Recipes: Drink Recipes