Black Cherry Collins Recipe

Build and shake

Add 2 oz gin, 1 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.75 oz simple syrup, and 0.75 oz black cherry syrup into a cocktail shaker filled halfway with ice. (If using a sweet black cherry liqueur reduce simple syrup to 0.5 oz.) Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 10–12 seconds until the shaker is cold to the touch and well chilled.

Prepare glass

Fill a highball or Collins glass with fresh ice (cracked or cubed).

Strain and top

Double-strain the shaken mixture into the prepared glass over the ice to remove small ice shards. Top with approximately 3 oz chilled club soda, pouring gently to preserve carbonation. Stir once gently with a bar spoon to integrate the soda without flattening it.

Garnish and serve

Garnish with a lemon wheel on the rim and drop in a maraschino or fresh black cherry. Serve with a straw and enjoy.

Notes: Taste before garnishing; if the cocktail is too tart, add 0.25 oz more simple syrup; if too sweet, add 0.25 oz more lemon. For a non-alcoholic version, substitute the gin with chilled seltzer or a neutral non-alcoholic spirit and keep proportions the same.