A Vodka Collins cocktail is refreshing cool down on a hot day. Just like the gin-based John Collins, it’s made effortlessly with a few staple ingredients, and tastes just like a boozy lemonade. It’s crisp and easy drinking, a perfect drink to pair with dinner or sip in the garden in the shade of tree.
What’s in a Vodka Collins recipe?
Making a Vodka Collins drink is easy, if you build it with a fabulous vodka. We’re quite partial to SKYY Vodka; it’s delicious and SKYY offers easy options for you to pimp your Vodka Collins recipe with their citrus-infused or blood orange vodka. You’ll also need a juicy lemon for squeezing, a little simple syrup, and finally, some soda water for topping up. If you’re feeling fancy, add a twist a slice of orange on a skewer with a maraschino cherry.
Learn more: Easy Syrup Variations for Cocktail Making
How to make a Vodka Collins cocktail?
A trick on how to make a Vodka Collins like the pros—have all your ingredients icy cold, even before pouring. It’s easy to build straight in a highball or Collins glass. Simply tip in the vodka, freshly squeezed lemon, and syrup over the ice. With a good stir, you’ll chill it even further and it’s ready for a soda top-up. If you’re keeping your ABVs on the low side, your Vodka Collins is easily stretched into a longer sip with a splash more soda.
Read next: What is ABV Anyway?
Why are they called Collins cocktails?
The true origins of Collins-style drinks are not entirely cast in stone. Collins cocktails are all made with a very simple formula; gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda. We’ll go with the story of barkeeper, John Collins laying claim to the John Collins drink, originally poured with Old Tom gin. This was often the reason for it being called a Tom Collins. Some say this drink was an ode to gin punches sipped in the 19th century. If you are more of a vodka fan, then our Vodka Collins offers a tasty twist.
What are the different types of Collins drinks?
One can see why the Collins stable of drinks pops up in tasty and delicious variations all over the globe. They’re so easy to build straight into the glass. It’s easy to look like a pro, mixing up this kind of cocktail at home without any fancy cocktail-making kit or mad skills. Here are a few of the best Collins cocktails for you to enjoy, we’ve got one for every season:
- The OG John Collins
- The tropical Mango Gin cocktail
- Summer-ready Strawberry Gin cocktail
- Oh-so tangy Passionfruit Gin cocktail
- A Gin Rickey for a lime twist
