Tequila Collins

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 12/15/22
Tequila Collins Cocktail

The Spruce Eats / S&C Design Studios

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

What happens when you pour tequila instead of whiskey into one of the best-known happy hour cocktails? Magic in a glass! That is what we have in the tequila collins (sometimes called a Juan or Jose Collins).

This recipe is just one of the many from the collins family of drinks, which includes some of the most refreshing and popular cocktails you can find. The collins formula is simple: base spirit, sweet, sour, soda.

To make the tequila collins, we begin with a shot of good quality tequila, add fresh lemon juice, and use agave nectar for the sweetener before topping the drink with sparkling club soda. In a matter of just a few minutes, you have a tall, ice-cold tequila drink that can quickly become a new favorite.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces tequila

  • 1 ounce lemon juice

  • 1/2 ounce agave nectar

  • 3 to 5 ounces club soda, to taste

  • Lemon wedge, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour the tequila, lemon juice, and nectar into a collins glass filled with ice cubes.

  3. Stir thoroughly.

  4. Top with club soda.

  5. Garnish with a lemon wedge. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • Transparent drinks such as the tequila collins do not have many heavy flavors to mask a poor quality spirit. That means that it's best to use a tequila that you would not mind sipping straight. Remember that the tequila you choose will determine the overall quality of the drink, so it is best to start it off right. Blanco (or silver) tequilas are the most popular choice for this recipe, though upgrading to an aged reposado is also an excellent idea.
  • Fresh lemon juice should be considered a requirement for making a great tequila collins (or any collins drink, for that matter). If you like, switch to lime juice or use a lemon wedge for the garnish so you can squeeze a bit more juice in as you drink.
  • Agave nectar is often paired with tequila in cocktails because the two agave-based ingredients just seem to work better together. If you do not have agave nectar, simple syrup is an option. You may find that 3/4 ounce syrup is a better fit as the nectar tends to be sweeter than syrup.
  • If using straight cane sugar, start with 1 teaspoon and adjust it to your taste.
  • As with all sweet and sour cocktails, adjust those two elements to fit your personal taste. You might also find that you prefer a little more lemon with one tequila and a bit less with another. The fantastic part about the tequila collins is that you can adjust it as you drink. If it's not quite right, add to it, stir, and enjoy!

How Strong Is the Tequila Collins?

Like other highball mixed drinks, estimating the amount of alcohol in the tequila collins is a bit of a challenge. That's because you may pour more or less soda than someone else and this single factor will change the potency of the drink. For example, if you pour an 80-proof tequila and finish the drink with about 2 ounces of soda, the drink is around 11 percent ABV (22 proof). This means that it is slightly stronger than the average glass of wine. That's why it is an ideal candidate for happy hour and casual drinking.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
145 Calories
0g Fat
13g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 145
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 10mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 13g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 10g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 7mg 34%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 35mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)