Black Flannel Academy

John Collins

Gin · Juniper · Lemon · Long & refreshing · Sour
John Collins cocktail photograph
Photo: IBA Cocktail John Collins (29221732881).jpg — Michael Styne from Averill Park, NY, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0. Resized for display; photo remains under its stated license.

Gin, lemon and syrup gain length from soda; this is a transparent structure for comparing gin botanical profiles.

IBA published specification · 1 reference serve.

Glassware

Highball

Technique

Build

Ice

Cubes

Garnish

lemon slice and maraschino cherry

Preparation effort

Low

Ingredients & measurements

Ingredient mL US fl oz Source measure / qualification
Gin 45 1.52 45 ml Gin
Fresh Lemon Juice 30 1.01 30 ml Fresh Lemon Juice
Simple Syrup 15 0.51 15 ml Simple Syrup
Soda Water 60 2.03 60 ml Soda Water

Converted equivalents are rounded for display; use one measurement system consistently. Dashes, spoonfuls, fruit counts and unspecified top-ups remain source measures. A blank equivalent does not mean zero.

How to make it

Combine gin, lemon and syrup over ice; add soda and mix gently.

Glass: Highball. Ice: Cubes. Garnish: lemon slice and maraschino cherry.

Flavor & balance

  • Sour (Acidic) (dominant): Citrus contributes the principal tart edge; fruit ripeness and juice yield affect balance.
  • Sweet (supporting): Sweeteners, fruit or sweetened modifiers round the attack and add weight; product sugar varies.
  • Earthy / Herbal (supporting): Botanicals, fresh herbs or the base spirit give aromatic plant character; this is not a basic taste.

Assess sweetness, bitterness and tactile drying separately. These flavor expectations are based on recipe structure, not measured tasting scores. Actual products, ice and dilution will change the result.

Preparation & batching

Service complexity: low. Batchability: spirit components only.

  • Measure and label the chosen product specification; chill appropriate glassware.
  • Prepare or select the named syrup; record its concentration and follow its storage instructions.
  • Prepare and measure fresh fruit components for the service plan; do not assume a fruit count guarantees a juice volume.

Add carbonated ingredients at service; do not shake or store the finished fizzy drink as a still batch. Workload is an editorial assessment; no labor timing or storage validation is claimed.

Spirit & ingredient choices

Style Role Evidence level Qualification
S050 — Classic Gin base qualified A classic juniper-led gin is the reference choice; generic “gin” does not specify every ADI production subtype.
S065 — 0 ABV Mixer mixer qualified Mixer role only; select a verified 0.0% product. The finished cocktail is not itself classified as this ingredient style.

Recipe notes & variations

For a Black Flannel variation, change one component at a time and record the selected product, proof, sweetener concentration and dilution. Compare it with this reference before naming or publishing the variation.

Compare: Gin Fizz, Ramos Fizz, Sloe Gin Fizz — Champagne version, Tom Collins.

Sources & further reading

  • International Bartenders Association — checked 2026-09-18. Recipe identity and published ingredient specification; editorial sensory and workload assessments are not source tasting results.

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