# John Collins

> John Collins, the IBA official recipe: 45 ml gin, 30 ml lemon juice, 15 ml simple syrup and 60 ml soda water. Built in the glass and served long over ice, garnished with lemon slice and maraschino cherry.

Gin, lemon, sugar and soda over ice: the original long sour. Same ingredients as the Gin Fizz, but built over ice with a full 60 ml of soda.

- IBA category: [IBA: The Unforgettables](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/unforgettables/index.md)
- Main spirit: [Gin cocktails](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/gin-cocktails/index.md)
- Method: Built (built straight in the glass)
- Glass: Highball glass
- Served: On the rocks
- Strength: about 10.8% ABV once diluted by ice, about 1.1 standard drinks (14 g of alcohol each)
- Volume: 150 ml (5 oz) before ice, about 171 ml in the glass
- Taste: Sour, Sparkling

## Ingredients

Amounts are for one drink. Ounces use 30 ml to the ounce.

- 45 ml (1½ oz) [Gin](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/gin/index.md)
- 30 ml (1 oz) [Lemon juice](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/lemon/index.md)
- 15 ml (½ oz) [Simple syrup](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/simple-syrup/index.md)
- 60 ml (2 oz) [Soda water](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/ingredients/soda-water/index.md)

## Method

1. Pour all ingredients directly into highball filled with ice.
2. Stir gently.

## Garnish

Lemon slice and maraschino cherry.

## Variations

- **Tom Collins**: Use Old Tom gin.

## One ingredient away

Drinks on the list that differ from the John Collins by a single ingredient.

- [Bramble](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/bramble/index.md): crème de mûre instead of soda water
- [French 75](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/french-75/index.md): sparkling wine instead of soda water
- [Gin Basil Smash](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/gin-basil-smash/index.md): basil instead of soda water
- [South Side](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/south-side/index.md): mint instead of soda water

## If you like the John Collins

- [Gin Fizz](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/gin-fizz/index.md): Gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and soda water
- [Ramos Fizz](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/ramos-fizz/index.md): Gin, lime juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, cream, egg, orange flower water, vanilla extract and soda water
- [White Lady](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/white-lady/index.md): Gin, triple sec and lemon juice
- [Aviation](https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/aviation/index.md): Gin, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice and crème de violette

## Source

- Recipe as specified by the International Bartenders Association: https://iba-world.com/iba-cocktail/john-collins/
- IBA video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu1Z96TpbW8
- Strength is an estimate that allows for dilution from ice; brands vary.

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- Canonical page: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/cocktails/john-collins/
- Language: en
- Recipe data: International Bartenders Association specifications on iba-world.com, checked 22 October 2026
- Maintained by Jigger, an independent index not affiliated with or endorsed by the IBA. All pages: https://jigger-5rd.pages.dev/sitemap.md