Tom Collins’s older American cousin.
Why you are pouring this tonight
The Whisky Collins is the American cousin of the Tom Collins, sometimes called a John Collins. Bourbon (or rye), lemon, simple syrup, soda, ice in a tall glass, lemon wheel and a maraschino cherry on top. The drink that hotel bars in the American south have been pouring since 1920 and that almost nobody under thirty-five orders, which is their loss.
The original John Collins was made with Holland gin (genever) but the modern American John Collins uses bourbon. Rye whisky makes a sharper, drier version (Bulleit Rye, Rittenhouse). Bourbon is the friendlier choice (Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, Wild Turkey 101). Real Luxardo maraschino cherry, not the radioactive supermarket version. Tall Collins glass full of ice. Cold soda from the fridge, not from the cupboard. Pair with fried chicken, blue cheese, the kind of Sunday afternoon where dinner becomes uncertain.
What to pour it alongside
Fried chicken, blue cheese, late afternoon.
Notes
The original John Collins was made with Holland gin (genever) but the modern American John Collins uses bourbon. Rye whisky makes a sharper, drier version.
The recipe
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