John Collins
Bourbon Collins
Ingrédients
- Bourbon 2 oz
- Lemon Juice 1 oz
- Sugar 1 tsp superfine
- Club soda 3 oz
- Maraschino cherry 1
- Orange 1
Instructions
Pour all ingredients directly into highball glass filled with ice. Stir gently. Garnish. Add a dash of Angostura bitters.
The John Collins is a classic American Collins cocktail that substitutes bourbon for the gin of a Tom Collins, combining it with lemon juice, superfine sugar, and club soda in a tall Collins glass. Also known as the Bourbon Collins, it preserves the Collins family's refreshing, effervescent character while adding the caramel and vanilla depth of American whiskey. It is garnished with a maraschino cherry and orange.
History & Origins
The Collins cocktail family originated in 19th-century Britain, named for a waiter at Limmer's Hotel in London, before evolving into numerous regional variations across the United States. The John Collins — using bourbon rather than gin or Old Tom gin — became particularly popular in the American South and Midwest, where bourbon was the spirit of choice. It appears in IBA documentation as a recognized style.
Tasting Notes
Aroma: Lemon citrus, bourbon's caramel-vanilla, and the light herbal note of the soda. Palate: Refreshing and effervescent — bourbon's richness is brightened by lemon's tartness, sweetened by the sugar, and lifted by the soda's carbonation. Finish: Clean and citrusy, with a warm bourbon tail and a faint maraschino sweetness.
Pro Tip
Use superfine sugar for instant dissolution, and add the soda over the back of a spoon to preserve carbonation; garnish with both orange and cherry.
Techniques utilisées
Compare John Collins
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