John Collins
The John Collins is one of the IBA Unforgettables: 4 ingredients, built in the glass and served in a collins. That makes 173 ml in the glass: a middling measure.
MethodBuilt in the glass
GlassCollins
In the glass173 ml
Strength11.2%
Ingredients
- 45 mlgin
- 30 mlfresh lemon juice
- 15 mlsimple syrup
- 60 mlsoda water
Method
- Pour all ingredients directly into highball filled with ice. Stir gently.
- NOTE:
- Use ‘Old Tom’ Gin for Tom Collins.
Garnish: Garnish with lemon slice and maraschino cherry.
What it tastes like
- bitter → sweet
- It sits between bitter and sweet: 0.2 out of 10 of bitterness, 105th of 186 for sweetness.
- round → sour
- Acidity leaves it halfway: 81st of 186, and the acid comes from fresh lemon juice.
- light → strong
- Just 11.2% in the glass: lighter than 61% of the catalogue, and the volume has as much to do with it as the recipe.
Among the five around it on the map it is the only one built on gin.
Five that come close
- El DiabloBuilt on tequila and with ginger beer in place of soda water.
- BatangaBuilt on tequila and with cola in place of soda water.
- Jungle BirdWith more bitterness in it and built on rum.
- Whisky Cola3 degrees lighter and built on whisky.
- PalomaMore sour and built on tequila.
Every drink near the John Collins on the map
Recipe source: IBA · checked on 30 October 2026