Second classic summer drink with same inhredients (alcohol, lemon juice, sugar and soda) at my blog is a Collins. Collins is a versatile cocktail. In the Collins you may use any alcohol that you prefer.
On of the first mention about Collins drink we can find at Bartender’s Guide by Jerry “Professor” Thomas (1876).
Collinses and Fizzes has some distinctions. Fizzes must be hard shaken but Collins may be shaken and no so hard. Fizzes are served in special delmonico glass without garnish but Collinses are served in collins (what else?) and garnish with red maraschino cherry and piece of orange. Actualy both cocktails are served in collinses or highballs at present time. The difference depicted on this foto:
First glass close on delmonico. The collins glass is cylindrical in shape and narrower than a highball glass. The highball glass is shorter and wider than a collins glass.
But return to our drink. First Collins I prepare in classic version with London dry gin – the Tom Collins.
Tom Collins
45 ml gin
20 ml fresh lemon juice
20 ml simple syrup
up to 90 ml soda water
Shake (except soda) with ice. Strain in to tallest collins as you have and add some large ice-cubes. Top with soda. Garnish with red maraschino cherry and orange slice.
You may use another proportion for yours Collins. You may use sugar powder or castor sugar instead simple syrup. You may build your collins, but I recommend shake.
The Tom Collins is a brilliant cocktail. Simple but elegant cocktail has smooth and compose taste of gin botanicals with sournes of lemon. Very refreshing and very delicious.
I prepare the John Collins with bourbon also. I use Jim Beam Black for this cocktail.
John Collins
45 ml bourbon
20 ml fresh lemon juice
20 ml simple syrup
up to 90 ml soda water
Shake (except soda) with ice. Strain in to tallest collins as you have and add some large ice-cubes. Top with soda. Garnish with red maraschino cherry and orange slice.
The John Collins is great drink too. It has smooth and refreshing taste with pleasant palate of whiskey.