John or Tom Collins?

Ever wonder where the drink Tom Collins got it's name? Ever wonder what the difference between a Tom Collins and a John Collins was? According to "Bartending For Dummies" written by Ray Foley (of Bartender magazine), he states:

"John Collins, a waiter at Lipmmer's Old House on Coduit Street in Hanover Square, England invented this drink. The name Tom was used instead of John because the drink was made with Old Tom Gin. Today, a John Collins is made with whiskey."

So there is a Tom Collins, Vodka Collins and a John Collins which consists of:

1 1/2 oz of gin, vodka or whiskey
(depends on which drink you want to make)
Fill with collins mix

*To make collins mix, you just add equal parts sweet & sour and soda water.
**To make fresh sweet & sour, just add fresh lemon juice and simple syrup (or sugar)

There is a really cool bar here in San Francisco called John Colins located in the SOMA area located off of 2nd Street between Mission and Howard, on Natoma. The place is pretty awesome. Last time I went, a dj was playing really good underground hiphop, my shot of Fernet came to me in a shot glass that was shaped like a boot and the crowd seemed mature and fun.

Apparently this cool little bar is going to have to relocate to another spot in the SOMA, sometime this summer due to the Transbay Terminal project. Read all about the move HERE.