Sunday, May 31, 2009

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.

3 comments:

tikitender said...

Don't forget the Juan Collins, with tequila

Greg said...

I didn't know they were having to move because of the terminal...at least they're not going out of business... I like that bar a lot.

In fact it was the first true "bar review" I did on the blog 3 years ago, right after the site got its own domain name...

http://www.njudahchronicles.com/2006/04/nowl_nightlife_guide_john_coli_1.html

Cielo Gold said...

Tikitender: You learn something new everyday. I had no idea about the Juan Collins, but it totally makes sense.

Greg: I am glad they aren't going out of business either. That Transbay Terminal project is really going to foul things up around that area. Looks like both of the John Colins locations will be operating at the same time which will be pretty cool.