Gin Punch No. 1

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (50 ratings)

Serve in a Collins glass

Ingredients:
2 oz Hayman's London Dry Gin
23 oz Lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
23 oz Monin Pure Cane Syrup (65.0°brix, equivalent to 2:1 rich syrup)
1 23 oz Chilled water
1 dash Angostura Aromatic Bitters
× 1 1 serving
Read about cocktail measures and measuring

How to make:

  1. Select and pre-chill a Collins glass.
  2. Prepare lemon slice wheel for garnish.
  3. SHAKE all ingredients with ice.
  4. STRAIN into ice-filled glass.
  5. Garnish with lemon slice.

Strength & taste guide:

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Strength 7/10
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
Sweet to sour 6/10

Review:

Light and refreshing, akin to alcoholic real lemonade (not fizzy.

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History:

This is a version of the cocktail for which Limmer's Hotel in London was most famed: a Captain Gronow recalled it in his 1860s memoirs as one of the top, if filthy and seedy, sporting hangouts of 1814, thanks in part to its 'famous gin-punch'. A bartender named John Collins worked there later in the 19th century, and was famous enough to inspire a limerick. Hence, many believe he created the Collins, which is similar to gin punch.

My name is John Collins, headwaiter at Limmer's,
Corner of Conduit Street, Hanover Square,
My chief occupation is filling brimmers
For all the young gentlemen frequenters there.
Mr. Frank always drinks my gin punch when he smokes.

Charles and Frank Sheridan, 1892

Collins Cocktail history

Nutrition:

One serving of Gin Punch No. 1 contains 201 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.3 standard drinks
  • 12.16% alc./vol. (12.16° proof)
  • 18.3 grams of pure alcohol

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above. Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

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Paul McNeill’s Avatar Paul McNeill
1st June 2023 at 16:11
1st review. Love this refreshing drink. My wife and I are sitting in the half term sun enjoying this superbly balanced between sweet and sour. Will try with sparkling water.
So refreshing.
Simon Difford’s Avatar Simon Difford
2nd June 2023 at 07:36
Sparkling water is a great call. Many thanks, Paul.
J W-S’ Avatar J W-S
27th January 2023 at 19:51
Added sparkling water because that’s all I had chilled but I think it was probably better for it. Very easy, far too easy
22nd April 2022 at 22:08
Tasty, substituted seltzer.
Omi Ham-Sandwich’s Avatar Omi Ham-Sandwich
14th April 2022 at 21:50
Very watered down and b/c there's no bubbly it tastes funny.
Adam M’s Avatar Adam M
5th November 2020 at 23:23
Very easy drinking