John Collins
The John Collins is a medium whiskey highball, tart and sweet on the palate. Built and served in a highball glass.
- 2 min
- Highball glass
- Built
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 52 out of 100
- Sweet
- 43 out of 100
- Fruity
- 14 out of 100
- Smoky
- 25 out of 100
- Boozy
- 43 out of 100
How to make a John Collins
To make a John Collins, build over ice in a highball glass: 2 oz bourbon, 1 oz lemon juice, ¼ oz simple syrup and 3 oz club soda. Garnish with maraschino cherry and orange.
You'll need
- Bourbon2 oz
- Lemon juice1 oz
- Simple syrupor 1 tsp sugar + a splash of water¼ oz
- Club soda3 oz
- Maraschino cherry, Orangegarnish
Pairs well with: Simple syrup · All syrups
Prefer it short? Skip the soda: that's the Bourbon Sling, the Bourbon Sour or the Whiskey Sour.
Make it virgin: the Virgin Tom Collins.
Instructions
- 1
Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
- 2
Pour in bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup.
- 3
Top with club soda.
- 4
Give it one gentle stir.
- 5
Garnish with a maraschino cherry and an orange wheel.
Why build it in the glass? Nothing here needs shaking, and pouring straight in keeps the club soda fizzy.
No simple syrup? Muddle 1 tsp sugar with a splash of water in the glass until it dissolves, then carry on.
John Collins questions
What does a John Collins taste like?
Mostly tart and sweet. It's a medium drink at about 13% ABV once mixed.
How strong is a John Collins?
About 13% ABV after mixing with ice, about as strong as a glass of wine.
What's the difference between a John Collins and a Bourbon Sling?
Both use bourbon, lemon juice and simple syrup. The John Collins adds club soda. The John Collins is built in the glass and served in a highball glass; the Bourbon Sling is shaken and served in a highball glass. The Bourbon Sling is the stronger of the two.
Can I make John Collinses in a batch?
Yes. For 6 drinks, mix 12 oz bourbon, 6 oz lemon juice and 1½ oz simple syrup in a jug and chill it. Top each glass with club soda as you serve, so it stays fizzy.
What glass do you serve a John Collins in?
A highball glass.