Bourbon Collins recipe
An offshoot of the Tom Collins, which replaces Gin with Bourbon. It’s a worthy successor.
By Kris Barton · Updated - 2 mins total
- 6 ingredients
- Old Fashioned glass
The Bourbon Collins is a delicious Bourbon Cocktail that’s easy to make and must be tried.
What Ingredients do you need to make a Bourbon Collins?
Bourbon
Bourbon is a type of Whiskey. It was created in America and is a barrel-aged distilled liquor that’s made primarily from corn.
The name Bourbon originates from the French Bourbon Dynasty, but how this type of American whiskey got that name is up for debate.
Major contenders include:
- Bourbon Street in New Orleans
- Bourbon County in Kentucky
…with the latter the reason why Bourbon is so closely connected to Kentucky.
Interestingly, by law, Bourbon sold in the US must be produced in the US, be made from at least 51% corn, and stored in a container of charred oak.
For Bourbon, we recommend:
Simple Syrup
Simple Syrup is a common ingredient in cocktails and is used simply to sweeten a drink.
You can buy the syrup off the shelf, but it’s also pretty easy to make yourself. It’s made by combining sugar and water in equal parts – simple, right?
If you do want to buy it off the shelf, we recommend:
Soda Water
Soda Water is essentially water that contains dissolved carbon dioxide gas.
This can either be infused with the water artificially or occur naturally.
Soda Water is thought to have been around since 1740, but became popular in 1783 when the Soda industry really took off and Soda Water was bottled and sold.
For Soda Water, we recommend:
Maraschino Cherries
Maraschino Cherries are preserved, sweetened cherries that are regularly used as a garnish in a variety of different cocktails.
In short, they can make a cocktail pop.
For Maraschino Cherries, we recommend:
What Equipment do you need to make a Bourbon Collins?
Cocktail Shaker
Cocktail shakers improve the taste of cocktails. It’s a fact.
There’s a reason that famed British spy James Bond says “shaken, not stirred”. And that reason is: because it tastes better.
If you don’t already have a cocktail shaker set, you might want to check out our detailed cocktail shaker comparison.
But to cut a long story short, here’s the cocktail shaker we recommend:
Old Fashioned Glass
Old Fashioned Glasses give a cocktail a classic, retro, yet elegant look.
If you’re making an old school cocktail, then this is the glass you absolutely need.
For Old Fashioned Glasses, we recommend:
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Recipe card
Bourbon Collins
- Prep
- 1 min
- Making
- 1 min
- Total
- 2 mins
- Serves
- 1
- Glass
- Old Fashioned glass
Ingredients
Makes 1 drink.
Method
- Add ice, bourbon, lemon juice and simple sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake well.
- Strain into an Old Fashioned glass.
- Top up with soda water.
- Garnish with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry.
Want more like this? Browse our full collection of modern cocktails.
Bourbon Collins FAQs
What is a Bourbon Collins?
A bourbon take on the Tom Collins: bourbon, lemon juice and sugar syrup, shaken, then topped up with soda water. It’s easy to make and a must-try for bourbon fans.
What Ingredients do you need to make a Bourbon Collins?
To make a Bourbon Collins, you need 60ml / 2oz bourbon, 30ml / 1oz lemon juice, 20ml / 0.75oz simple sugar syrup and soda water to top up, plus orange slice and maraschino cherry to garnish. There’s more about bourbon, simple syrup, soda water and maraschino cherries above.
What Equipment do you need to make a Bourbon Collins?
You’ll need a cocktail shaker and an Old Fashioned glass.
What alcohol is in a Bourbon Collins?
The only alcohol in a Bourbon Collins is bourbon: 60ml / 2oz.
Is a Bourbon Collins shaken or stirred?
A Bourbon Collins is shaken. Shake it with ice in a cocktail shaker, then strain it into an Old Fashioned glass and top it up.
Can I make a Bourbon Collins without a cocktail shaker?
A cocktail shaker is best, but a clean jam jar with a tight lid works too. Add ice and the ingredients, screw the lid on and shake hard for 10 to 15 seconds, then strain it into your glass through a small sieve.
What glass is a Bourbon Collins served in?
Serve a Bourbon Collins in an Old Fashioned glass.
How do you garnish a Bourbon Collins?
Garnish a Bourbon Collins with a slice of orange and a maraschino cherry.
