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Raspberry Collins Cocktail Drink

Raspberry Collins Recipe

Gavin Wrigley Written by Gavin Wrigley
Enjoy the simplicity of this Raspberry Collins recipe! The blend of Gin, fresh lemon juice, raspberries, and soda water makes an energizing cocktail perfect for spring.
Prep time: 1 minute
Mixing time: 1 minute
Servings: 1
Calories: 191

Ingredients
 

  • 2 oz Gin
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • oz simple syrup
  • 5 fresh raspberries
  • 3-4 oz soda water - to top
  • Ice cubes
  • Skewered fresh raspberries and icing sugar - for garnish, optional

Equipment

  • Collins Glass
  • Muddler
  • Shaker
  • Cocktail Strainer
  • Fine strainer
  • Measuring Jigger
  • Bar spoon or long stirrer

Instructions

  • Prep Glass: Fill a Collins glass with ice cubes. Give it a stir to chill it and set it aside.
  • Muddle Raspberries: In your shaker, add 5 fresh raspberries and 1 oz fresh lemon juice. Muddle to extract the flavor from the raspberries.
  • Add Simple Syrup: Add ⅔ oz simple syrup.
  • Add Gin: Measure and pour 2 oz Gin 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 and use the cocktail strainer to remove any excess water inside. Then, using both the cocktail strainer and the fine strainer, strain the shaken drink into the ice-filled glass.
  • Top with Soda: Top off with approx. 3-4 oz soda water, adjusting to taste and to the size of the glass.
  • Stir: Using a bar spoon or long stirrer, stir gently to combine.
  • Garnish: Put a few raspberries on a cocktail skewer. Gently place it on top of the glass, sprinkle it with icing sugar, and serve immediately.

Notes

Substitutes:

  • Gin: If you're out of Gin, pisco or vodka can be good substitutes. It will give you a different flavor profile, but it's still delicious. For a non-alcoholic version, several non-alcoholic gins are available that do a decent job of mimicking the botanicals in Gin.
  • Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice can work in a pinch if you don't have fresh lemons, but I always prefer fresh when possible. Fresh lime juice can also be an option.
  • Simple Syrup: You can make your simple syrup at home by dissolving equal parts sugar and water over low heat. Honey syrup (2 parts honey to 1 part hot water) or agave syrup can also work if you're out of sugar.

Making a Pitcher of Raspberry Collins:

  • Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, you'll need 16 oz of Gin, 8 oz of lemon juice, 5 ½  oz of simple syrup, and about 40 raspberries.
  • Mix: In a large pitcher, muddle the raspberries. Add the Gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Let it rest for 10 minutes for the raspberry flavor to infuse, then add ice and stir well.
  • Serve: Strain to remove the ice and the raspberry pieces and pour the mixture into individual ice-filled Collins glasses. Top with soda water, garnish with a extra raspberries, 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:

  • Gin Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic gin substitute; these are available and reasonably mimic Gin's botanicals.
  • Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular Gin, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.

Making it Vegan:

The Raspberry Collins cocktail is naturally vegan as it doesn't contain any animal products. Most spirits, including gin, are vegan-friendly. However, some brands may use animal products in their production process, especially if a filtration process is involved. Always check the brand's website or contact them directly to ensure their products are vegan.