Drinking a Johnnie Tom Collins is like sitting in a London bar with the air full of leather and good cigars. Tom Collins is one of the oldest cocktails we know. The more common communal punches were replaced by single serve cocktails in the 19th century and the Tom Collins was born somewhere around the 1830s. Originally a gin cocktail, the drink took on a range of variations, including the Whiskey Collins.

The Whiskey Collins has been served at least from the 1870s and is a classic thanks to its historic significance and elegant simplicity. But in a simple cocktail like this the base spirit truly is the star. This Johnnie Tom Collins recipe makes for a premium tippler thanks to the good quality scotch whiskey with its smooth spicy finish.

To ensure the drink is top-notch every-time, make sure the soda is ice cold. As it makes for a third of the drink, the temperature of the drink is crucial for it to remain crisp. Also, always serve the drink in a Collins glass. Unlike the Highball glass, a Collins glass is taller and narrower to help keep the drink cold and to maintain the bubbles.