The Vodka Collins looks like a classic Tom Collins, yet the first sip tastes even brighter, with fresh lemon stepping straight to the front. True to its nickname, “Joe Collins,” one story ties it to “Uncle Joe” Stalin, a fitting nod to vodka’s Russian roots.
Clean, neutral vodka lets the lemon shine, a spoonful of sugar rounds the edges, and chilled soda lifts it all into a tall, crisp cooler. Simple, refreshing and pure in flavor, it is worth mixing tonight.
Recipe & How to Make It
Ingredients
Recipe no.177
- Vodka — 1 + 1/2 oz (45ml)
- Lemon juice — 1/2 oz (15ml)
- Sugar — 1 tsp
- Soda — Full
- Lemon slice — 1
※ 1 tsp = One bar spoon.
※ Full = Fill to about 80–90% of the glass.
How to Make It
Squeeze a lemon for fresh juice, and have one lemon slice ready.
Chill the soda in advance.
Add the vodka, lemon juice, sugar and ice to the shaker.
Shake firmly, pour into the glass, then add ice.
Slowly top with soda so it doesn’t foam, then stir gently.
When mixing carbonated drinks, just stir 1–2 times and lift the ice up and down once to blend.
Finally, press the lemon slice into the glass with a bar spoon, and it’s ready.
・Technique ｜ Shake & Stir
・Glass ｜ Collins Glass / Tumbler Glass
・ABV ｜ About 9%
・Best Enjoyed ｜ Daytime / Before Dinner
Vodka Collins Characteristics, Tips & Video
Origin & Characteristics
The Vodka Collins is the vodka version of the classic Tom Collins, and it caught on as vodka boomed in America in the mid-20th century. It also goes by “Joe Collins,” and one story links the name to Joseph Stalin, nicknamed “Uncle Joe” in the West, a nod to vodka’s Russian roots.
Swapping gin for clean, neutral vodka lets fresh lemon take center stage. The first sip is bright and tart, then soda lifts it into a crisp finish.
I’d recommend it to anyone who wants the purest lemon taste.
Tips, Twists & Food Pairings
Tips
- Keep your vodka in the freezer — Vodka’s high alcohol keeps it from freezing, and a well-chilled bottle tastes smoother with less alcohol bite. It also slows the ice from melting, so the drink stays crisp.
- Common mistake: using bottled lemon juice — Neutral vodka hides nothing, so any flat or bitter notes from bottled juice stand out. Squeeze fresh lemon just before shaking for a bright, clean taste.
- Press the lemon slice gently — Pushing the slice down with a bar spoon releases a little juice and peel oil into the drink. I always press it just once, so the aroma lifts without turning bitter.
Twists
- Cucumber Vodka Collins — Muddle 2–3 cucumber slices in the shaker before adding the other ingredients. The cool, green aroma pairs naturally with vodka and lemon for an even more refreshing glass.
- Raspberry Vodka Collins — Muddle 4–5 fresh raspberries in the shaker. Their sweet-tart fruit blends smoothly with the clean vodka and turns the drink a pretty pale pink.
Food Pairings
- Blinis with smoked fish or caviar — A nod to vodka’s Russian roots. The salty, rich toppings are lifted by bright lemon, while soda refreshes the palate after each bite.
- Fried calamari with lemon — Just like a squeeze of lemon over the calamari, the drink’s acidity and bubbles cut through the crispy batter and keep every bite light.
- Caprese salad — Mild mozzarella and juicy tomatoes match the drink’s clean, light style, and the lemon adds brightness much like a drizzle of dressing.
Recipe Video
- Recipe Video ｜ Gongitsune Channel Home
Tom Collins Variations
- Tom Collins — The original. Born from Old Tom gin.
- Grapefruit Collins — A Tom Collins with grapefruit liqueur added.
- Rum Collins — Swaps the gin for rum.
- Ruben Collins — Swaps the gin for tequila.
- John Collins — Swaps the gin for whiskey.
- Sandy Collins — Swaps the gin for Scotch whisky.
- Michael Collins — Swaps the gin for Irish whiskey.
- Colonel Collins — Swaps the gin for bourbon.
- Captain Collins — Swaps the gin for Canadian whisky.
- Pierre Collins — Swaps the gin for brandy.
