Collins
StyleA collins is a sour lengthened with soda water and served long over ice in a tall glass.
- Collins glass
- 12 to 16 oz (355 to 475 ml)
- Soda water
- about 1.75 oz (52 ml), to top
- Served
- Always over ice
- Formula
- 1.75 oz (52 ml) gin, 0.75 oz (22 ml) lemon juice, 0.5 oz (15 ml) rich simple syrup, topped with 1.75 oz (52 ml) soda water over ice
What collins means
The collins changes two things about the sour. Soda water goes in, and the drink is served tall. A Collins glass holds 12 to 16 oz (355 to 475 ml), and a collins always comes over ice, so there is room for the soda to top it off.
On a menu you will most often see a Tom Collins or a John Collins. The gin is the usual difference. Harry Johnson's 1882 manual lists a John Collins with Holland gin and a Tom Collins with Old Tom gin, which is where the two names split. Other spirits follow the same pattern, as in Vodka Collins or Pisco Collins.
It is easy to assume the Tom Collins is named after a prank in New York in 1874. The prank was real. The older story points to John Collins, a head waiter at Limmer's Hotel in London, but neither origin can be proved.
How to make a collins
You need a shaker, a strainer, a tall glass, enough ice to fill it, and a bottle of soda water.
- 1.Add 1.75 oz (52 ml) gin, 0.75 oz (22 ml) lemon juice and 0.5 oz (15 ml) rich simple syrup to a shaker with ice.
- 2.Shake hard, then strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
- 3.Top with 1.75 oz (52 ml) soda water and stir briefly to mix.
- 4.Use Old Tom gin for a Tom Collins. Swap in London dry gin and most modern books call the drink a John Collins.
Collins compared
- FizzA fizz is served with no ice, in a small glass. A collins always goes over ice in a tall glass.
- RickeyA rickey uses lime and little or no sugar in a shorter glass. A collins uses lemon and sugar.
- HighballA highball is a spirit and a carbonated mixer with little or no citrus. A collins adds lemon juice and sugar.
- SourA sour has no soda water, and it is served up or over ice in a short glass.
Examples
- Tom Collins
- John Collins
- Vodka Collins
- Rum Collins
- Whiskey Collins
- Pisco Collins
Related terms
Ingredients
Put it to use in your next drink
Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.