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WhatDrink

Cocktails

John Collins

John Collins is a cocktail made with Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Sugar, and Club Soda. The listed recipe is built and served in a Collins Glass.

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic14.6% ABV6 ingredients

At a Glance

173 kcalCalories
14.6%ABV
5gSugar
6.3gCarbs
1.5Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 6 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. Pour all ingredients directly into Highball glass filled with ice.Pour
  2. Stir gently.Stirred
  3. Garnish.Garnish
  4. Add a dash of Angostura bitters.Add

How to Serve

Glass
Collins Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Ice
Method
Stirred
Served Chilled

Taste

What does John Collins taste like?

John Collins is a longer, more refreshing style of drink. Bubbles, citrus, mixer or dilution help make it easier to sip than a short spirit-forward cocktail.

Primary flavours

Citrus

Supporting notes

SweetCaramelOakSpice

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
  • Bright and citrusy
  • Fruity and vibrant

What do these dimensions mean?

Practical notes

Similar styles

Try this if you like tall whiskey citrus drinks

Choose the John Collins when you want a whiskey drink stretched into a refreshing, sparkling format. It is lighter than a Whiskey Sour but still has citrus structure.

Variations

Easy ways to adjust John Collins

For a lighter version, use more soda, mixer or ice. For a stronger version, keep the same flavor balance but reduce the length so the drink stays structured.

Skip if

Skip John Collins if...

Skip John Collins if you want a short, intense or spirit-forward cocktail. Longer refreshing drinks are built for cold drinkability rather than concentrated strength.

When to serve

  • SummerSuggested from its citrus notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVeganVegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Bourbon2 oz

Rye WhiskeyWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use the same amount; adjust sweetener if the drink becomes too dry.
What changes
Rye whiskey can replace bourbon when a spicier, drier version is acceptable.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Juice1 oz

Lime JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if the drink tastes too sharp.
What changes
Lime juice can usually replace lemon juice, but the drink becomes sharper and more tropical.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sugar1 tsp superfine

Simple SyrupWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Use about 1/4 oz simple syrup per teaspoon of sugar as a starting point.
What changes
Simple syrup can replace sugar, but it also adds water and dissolves more easily.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Club Soda3 oz

Soda WaterGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Soda water is usually a close substitute for club soda.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make a John Collins at home?
Yes. The John Collins uses 6 ingredients, making it more involved to prepare at home. You will need a Collins Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.