The John Collins is a whiskey Tom Collins — spirit, lemon, sugar, soda. Long, refreshing, easy to drink slowly. One of the most sessionable cocktails there is. Here's the non-alcoholic version.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 3–4 oz soda water
- Ice
- Collins glass or tall glass
- Lemon wheel and cherry to garnish
How to Make It
- Add No. 86, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice. Shake for 8 seconds.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water. Stir once gently.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim and a cherry in the glass.
The Long Drink Format
The Collins format — spirit, citrus, sugar, soda in a tall glass — is one of the most useful cocktail templates. It's designed to be sipped over time, not shot or gulped. The soda lengthens the drink and adds texture. The ice dilutes slowly as you drink.
This is a good party drink because it looks like something, tastes like something, and takes time to drink — which means you're not reaching for another one every 10 minutes.
Soda Water vs Club Soda vs Sparkling Water
Soda water and club soda are interchangeable here. Plain sparkling water (Topo Chico, Pellegrino) also works and adds a slight mineral note that's not unpleasant. Avoid flavored sparkling waters — the added flavors compete with the lemon.
Variations
Honey Collins: Replace simple syrup with honey syrup. Adds floral complexity.
Elderflower Collins: Add ½ oz elderflower cordial (Belvoir or Ikea's Elderflower) in addition to the simple syrup. Reduces the sugar slightly to compensate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a Tom Collins and a John Collins?
A Tom Collins uses gin. A John Collins uses whiskey (originally genever, now bourbon or blended whiskey). Same formula, different spirit.
Can I use lime instead of lemon?
Yes — it becomes a slightly different drink with a more tropical edge. Lime works well in summer. Lemon is the classic.
How do I keep the soda from going flat?
Add the soda last, after you've strained the shaken ingredients. Stir only once. Serve immediately. Don't batch Collins drinks with the soda already added.
Long. Slow. Worth it.
No. 86 makes a John Collins for the evenings that don't need to rush.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.