John Collins - Classic Gin, Lemon & Soda Highball

Tall, citrusy, and sparkling, the John Collins cocktail combines gin, fresh lemon, simple syrup, and soda water in one of the simplest classic highball formulas. Building it directly over ice keeps the method straightforward, while the combination of tart citrus, gentle sweetness, botanical gin, and carbonation makes the drink especially refreshing.

A 19th-Century Collins Classic

The Collins family stretches back to the 19th century and is closely associated with John Collins, a head waiter at London's Limmer's Hotel. Historical recipes varied by gin style, with early versions sometimes calling for Holland gin or genever. Today, the International Bartenders Association defines the John Collins with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Gin: Supplies the botanical backbone and dry spirit character.
• Lemon juice: Adds the fresh acidity that gives the Collins its snap.
• Simple syrup: Balances the lemon without weighing down the drink.
• Carbonated water: Lengthens the cocktail and provides its refreshing fizz.

Substitution tip: London dry gin is a particularly good fit when you want a crisp, juniper-forward John Collins. Using Old Tom Gin creates the closely related Tom Collins under the current IBA distinction.

Equipment

• Highball glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon

Why the Collins Formula Works

A Collins is essentially a sparkling sour served long over ice. Lemon and simple syrup establish the sweet-and-sour balance, gin adds botanical depth, and soda stretches everything into a lighter drink without burying the base spirit. Because there are only four ingredients, freshness and proportion matter more than elaborate technique.

John Collins vs. Tom Collins

The names have overlapped throughout cocktail history, which explains why recipes sometimes contradict one another. Early bartending books distinguished the drinks by gin style, including Holland gin for a John Collins and Old Tom Gin for a Tom Collins. The modern IBA keeps the distinction simple: the John Collins uses gin, while its official recipe specifically notes that Old Tom Gin makes a Tom Collins.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use Old Tom Gin: Its softer, slightly sweeter character turns the drink toward a Tom Collins.
• Try genever: This gives the Collins a maltier profile that recalls some early John Collins recipes.
• Change the citrus: Lime creates a sharper variation, although it moves away from the classic specification.
• Add aromatic bitters: A dash can add spice and complexity to a non-IBA variation.
• Change the base spirit: Whiskey, rum, brandy, vodka, and other spirits all produce branches of the broader Collins family.

Helpful Tips

• Use fresh lemon juice. The simplicity of the drink makes stale citrus especially noticeable.
• Chill the glass before building for a colder drink with less initial ice melt.
• Add carbonated water gently so you do not knock out unnecessary bubbles.
• Stir only enough to combine the ingredients.
• Use plenty of fresh ice to keep the highball cold and properly diluted.
• Add the lemon slice and maraschino cherry just before serving.
• For multiple servings, pre-combine the gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Pour individual portions over ice and add soda water immediately before serving.