Make a Brandy Collins using this uncomplicated recipe! The blend of brandy, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda creates a refreshing cocktail for spring evenings.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 194
Ingredients
- 2 oz Brandy - of your choice
- 1 oz lemon juice
- ¾ oz simple syrup
- 3-4 oz club soda
- Lemon slice - mint sprigs and icing sugar (for garnish, optional)
Equipment
- Collins Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
- Shaker
- Cocktail Strainer
- Fine strainer
- Bar spoon or long stirrer
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill your Collins glass with ice cubes. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
- Add Simple Syrup: Pour ¾ oz simple syrup into the shaker.
- Add Lemon Juice: Add 1 oz lemon juice.
- Add Brandy: Pour 2 oz Brandy into the shaker as well.
- Shake: Fill the shaker with ice, close it and give it a good shake (10-15 seconds).
- Strain: Take the Collins glass, discard the ice inside and refill with new, fresh ice cubes. Then, use the cocktail strainer to strain the shaken drink into the ice filled glass.
- Top with Soda: Top off with 3-4 oz club soda (adjusting to taste and to the size of the glass).
- Stir: Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, stir gently to combine.
- Garnish: Garnish with a lemon slice and mint sprigs. Sprinkle with icing sugar and serve immediately.
Notes
Substitutes:
- Brandy: You can use any type of brandy to make this cocktail: cognac, applejack, calvados, grappa… Feel free to experiment! If you don't have any brandy, you can use bourbon or whiskey as a substitute. Both will give a different flavor profile but still make a delicious drink.
- Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is best, but if you're in a pinch, bottled lemon juice will work, too. Freshly squeezed lime juice can also be an option.
- Simple Syrup: You can make your own by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat. You can also use agave nectar or honey syrup (2 parts honey to 1 part hot water) as a natural sweetener alternative.
Making a Pitcher of Brandy Collins:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of brandy, 8 oz of lemon juice, and 6 oz of simple syrup.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the brandy, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add ice and stir well.
- Serve: Strain to remove the ice, pour into ice-filled Collins glasses and top up with club soda. Garnish each glass with a lemon slice and a mint sprig sprinkled with icing sugar and serve immediately. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Brandy Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic brandy substitute available in most supermarkets or online. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own brandy substitute by infusing together rooibos tea and a bunch of spices of your liking (vanilla, raisins and cocoa beans are always a good way to start). Mix all the ingredients together, add hot water, cover and let it infuse for at least 3h (the stronger the better, so if you have time let it infuse overnight. In that case, you can either let it rest in the fridge once the liquid has cooled down). Give it a taste, adjust the spice level if necessary and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-brandy” can be kept for up to a week.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular brandy, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
The Brandy Collins cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including brandy, are generally vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process - the same goes for simple syrup, as some sugars are processed over bone char. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.What is a Brandy Collins Cocktail?
A Brandy Collins is a cocktail made of brandy, lemon juice, sugar, and club soda. The Brandy Collins is a well-known Tom Collins cocktail variant, traditionally using gin instead of brandy.
What is a Brandy Collins Cocktail made of – The ingredients
To concoct your own Brandy Collins Cocktail, use these ingredients:
- Brandy: The cocktail’s base spirit, brandy, gives the Brandy Collins its distinctive rich and fruity flavor. You can use any type of brandy of your liking: Cognac and Applejack are the most popular options, but feel free to experiment with other types of brandy!
- Lemon Juice: Adds a tangy citrus note, balancing out the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Simple Syrup: This sweetener enhances the natural flavors of the brandy and lemon juice.
- Club Soda: Gives the cocktail a fizzy lift, making it refreshing and light.
- Lemon Slice and Mint Sprig: Garnishing with a lemon slice, mint sprigs, and a sprinkle of icing sugar enhances the visual appeal and adds a touch of aromatic freshness to the cocktail.
