#165 Cocktail: John Collins

   The John Collins is a Collins cocktail made from gin, lemon juice, sugar and carbonated water. A recipe for a John Collins is featured in the Steward and Barkeeper's Manual of 1869:

Teaspoonful of powdered sugar
The juice of half a lemon
A wine glass of Old Tom Gin
A bottle of plain soda
Shake up, or stir up with ice. Add a slice of lemon peel to finish.

   Drinks historian David Wondrich has speculated that the original recipe that was introduced to New York in the 1850s would have been very similar to the gin punches that are known to have been served at London clubs such as the Garrick during the first half of the 19th century. He states that these would have been along the lines of "gin, lemon juice, chilled soda water, and maraschino liqueur".  (Wikipedia)

     "Most of the books agree that this drink was originally made with geneva gin as a base, but these days bourbon is usually the spirit of choice" (Gaz Regan)

2 1/2 ounces bourbon

1 ounce fresh lemon juice

3/4 ounce simple syrup

club soda