The John Collins Cocktail is a timeless classic, celebrated for its refreshing blend of gin, lemon, sugar, and soda water. Often mistaken for its close relative, the Tom Collins, the John Collins boasts a rich history and a slightly drier profile thanks to its use of London Dry Gin. This effervescent and invigorating drink is perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful balance of sweet and sour with a juniper-forward kick. Whether you’re a seasoned cocktail aficionado or a curious beginner, understanding and mastering the John Collins is a must for your repertoire.
Crafting the Perfect John Collins: A Classic Recipe
Creating a John Collins is straightforward, requiring just a few key ingredients and simple techniques. Here’s how to make this iconic cocktail:
John Collins Cocktail Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| London Dry Gin | 60 ml |
| Fresh Lemon Juice | 25 ml |
| Rich Sugar Syrup (2:1) | 15 ml |
| Soda Water | 50 ml |
| Garnish | Orange slice & Maraschino Cherry |
Instructions:
- Chill Out: Fill a Collins glass with ice to keep your cocktail refreshingly cold.
- Shake it Up: In a cocktail shaker, combine the London Dry Gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and rich sugar syrup. Fill the shaker with ice.
- Shake Well: Shake vigorously until the shaker is well-chilled, typically for 15-20 seconds.
- Strain and Pour: Strain the mixture into your ice-filled Collins glass.
- Top with Soda: Gently top the glass with soda water, leaving a little space at the top.
- Stir Briefly: Give it a gentle stir to combine the ingredients.
- Garnish & Serve: Garnish with an orange slice and a Luxardo Maraschino cherry speared on a cocktail stick, creating a small “sail” for visual appeal.
- Enjoy Immediately: Serve your John Collins immediately with straws and savor the refreshing taste.
The Story Behind the Sip: History of the John Collins
The John Collins cocktail’s origins are shrouded in a bit of delightful mystery, but most accounts trace it back to Limmer’s Hotel in London during the late 19th century. It’s believed to be named after a head waiter, John Collins (or possibly Jim Collins), who worked at this establishment, a popular haunt for sporting gentlemen.
Limmer’s Hotel was renowned for its Gin Punch as early as 1814, and it’s highly likely that the John Collins evolved from this popular drink. The cocktail gained further notoriety through an 1892 limerick penned by Frank and Charles Sheridan:
My name is John Collins, headwaiter at Limmer’s,
Corner of Conduit Street, Hanover Square,
My chief occupation is filling brimmers
For all the young gentlemen frequenters there.
Mr. Frank always drinks my gin punch when he smokes.
This verse immortalized John Collins and cemented his association with the iconic gin-based drink.
Interestingly, early recipes sometimes called for Holland Gin (genever). Harry Johnson’s 1882 Bartenders’ Manual includes recipes for both a “John Collins” with Holland Gin and a “Tom Collins” with Old Tom Gin, suggesting the distinction between the two cocktails was already emerging. Thos. Stuart’s 1904 Stuart’s Fancy Drinks and How to Mix Them further solidified this, with a “John Collins’ Gin” using “gin” (assumed to be London Dry Gin) and a “Tom Collins” with Old Tom Gin.
John Collins vs. Tom Collins: Decoding the Difference
The subtle yet significant difference between a John Collins and a Tom Collins lies in the type of gin used. A John Collins is traditionally made with London Dry Gin, known for its crisp, juniper-forward, and drier profile. In contrast, a Tom Collins calls for Old Tom Gin, a slightly sweeter style of gin from the 19th century.
While both cocktails share the same core structure of gin, lemon, sugar, and soda, the gin variation leads to distinct flavor nuances. The John Collins offers a drier, more classic gin taste, while the Tom Collins presents a slightly sweeter and rounder profile. In modern times, the term “Tom Collins” is often used generically for both variations, but for purists and those seeking the original recipe, specifying “John Collins” ensures you get the drier, London Dry Gin-based version.
The Collins Family: Exploring Cocktail Variations
The John Collins serves as the progenitor of a whole family of refreshing “Collins” cocktails, each substituting the base spirit to create exciting variations. As David A. Embury noted in his 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, the Collins family expanded beyond just John and Tom:
“Originally there were two brothers only in the Collins family – Tom and John. During recent years, however, numerous cousins have appeared on the scene…”
Here are a few notable “cousins” in the Collins family:
- Tom Collins: The sweeter sibling, made with Old Tom Gin.
- Vodka Collins (Joe Collins): A neutral and clean variation using vodka, allowing the lemon and sugar to shine.
- Whiskey Collins (Colonel Collins): Bourbon or rye whiskey adds a rich, spicy depth to the Collins template.
- Rum Collins (Pedro Collins): Light or aged rum brings tropical and molasses notes to the mix.
- Tequila Collins (Jose Collins or Pepito Collins): Tequila, especially blanco tequila, offers an earthy and agave-forward twist.
- Scotch Collins (Sandy Collins or Jock Collins): Scotch whisky lends smoky and malty complexities to the Collins.
Jack Collins cocktail, a variation of the classic Collins family of drinks
Jose Collins cocktail, a tequila-based Collins cocktail
Exploring these Collins variations is a fantastic way to discover new flavor combinations while appreciating the versatility of the classic John Collins formula.
Serving and Savoring Your John Collins
The John Collins is ideally served in a Collins glass, a tall and slender glass that perfectly showcases the cocktail’s effervescence and allows ample room for ice and soda. The classic garnish of an orange slice and Maraschino cherry not only adds visual appeal but also complements the flavors of the drink. You can also consider adding a lemon wedge for an extra citrus burst.
This cocktail is a quintessential summer drink, perfect for hot days, garden parties, or casual gatherings. Its refreshing and light character also makes it a delightful aperitif or a palate cleanser between courses. The John Collins is a versatile and crowd-pleasing choice for any occasion that calls for a sophisticated yet easy-to-enjoy cocktail.
Conclusion: The Enduring Appeal of the John Collins
The John Collins cocktail stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of simple, well-balanced drinks. Its classic combination of gin, lemon, sugar, and soda water continues to refresh and delight drinkers over a century after its creation. Whether you prefer the original John Collins with London Dry Gin or venture into the diverse world of Collins variations, this cocktail family offers something for every taste. So, mix yourself a John Collins, raise a glass to cocktail history, and enjoy the timeless refreshment of this gin-based classic.
