What is this drink?
The Raspberry Collins is a fruity evolution of the classic Tom Collins, combining gin with muddled fresh raspberries, lemon juice, simple syrup, and soda water for a light, berry-forward long drink.
Why you'll love it
You get the herbal complexity of gin paired with the tart brightness of raspberries and lemon, all lifted by fizzy soda for a refreshingly crisp and colorful cocktail.
When to serve
Ideal for garden parties, afternoon gatherings, brunch, or any occasion where a light and elegant cocktail fits the mood.
Pro tip
Double-strain through a fine mesh sieve after shaking to remove all raspberry seeds for a smoother, cleaner sip.
Gin
A botanical spirit with notes of juniper, citrus, and herbs that provides a sophisticated and aromatic base for the fruity raspberry and lemon flavors.
Fresh Raspberries
Muddled raspberries release natural juice and vibrant color, giving the cocktail its signature fruity depth and beautiful pink hue.
Lemon Juice
Fresh lemon juice adds bright tartness that balances the sweetness of the berries and syrup, keeping the drink lively and refreshing.
Swap Options
Swap gin for vodka for a milder base. Use blackberries or strawberries instead of raspberries. Replace simple syrup with elderflower cordial for a floral twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Muddle raspberries
Muddle raspberries with lemon juice and simple syrup in a shaker.
Tips:
- •Use fresh berries for vivid color.
Add gin and shake
Add gin and ice, shake briefly to mix.
Tips:
- •Do not over-shake; you’ll top with soda.
Strain and top
Strain into a Collins glass with ice and top with club soda.
Tips:
- •Gently stir to combine.
Garnish
Add a lemon wheel or raspberry on top.
Tips:
- •Serve immediately while fizzy.
Flavor Profile
Alcohol Content
Fun Fact
Bartender's Tips
- Adjust sweetness to taste.
- Use chilled soda for best fizz.
- Serve cold for maximum refreshment.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Vodka Raspberry Collins
Replace gin with a clean vodka for a milder, more fruit-forward variation where the raspberry flavour takes complete centre stage without the botanical complexity of gin in the background. This variation is more approachable for guests who find gin polarising and works equally well with a generous handful of fresh raspberries.
Blackberry Collins
Swap raspberries for fresh blackberries for a deeper, more intense berry flavour with a darker, richer colour. Blackberries contribute more tannin and earthiness than raspberries, creating a Collins with more body and complexity. A splash of crème de mûre (blackberry liqueur) adds extra depth and a gorgeous deep purple hue.
Elderflower Raspberry Collins
Replace simple syrup with St-Germain elderflower liqueur for a delicate, perfumed variation that pairs beautifully with the tartness of fresh raspberries. The elderflower adds a summery, floral dimension that is particularly elegant at outdoor gatherings and garden parties where the drink's pink colour and floral aroma are at their most evocative.
Tools that make this drink come together
Cocktail Shaker
Fresh raspberries and lemon juice need to be shaken together with gin and simple syrup before adding to the glass — this combines and chills all components whilst the raspberries release their colour and flavour into the liquid through the agitation of shaking. Do not add soda water to the shaker, as it will lose carbonation.
Muddler
Press the fresh raspberries against the bottom of the shaker with a muddler before adding the other ingredients. Gentle muddling releases the berries' juice and anthocyanins (the compounds responsible for the vibrant pink colour) without creating excessive pulp. 4–5 gentle presses is sufficient.
Hawthorne and Fine Mesh Strainer
Double-straining removes raspberry seeds and skin fragments from the shaken cocktail before pouring into the Collins glass. The Hawthorne strainer holds back large pieces; the fine mesh catches seeds that would otherwise produce an unpleasant texture in every sip.
Can't Find These?
The back of a heavy spoon works for muddling raspberries. A jam jar with a lid shakes adequately. A kitchen sieve removes seeds from the strained cocktail. The Collins is very forgiving — even without precise equipment, the flavours of fresh raspberries, lemon, and gin combine deliciously.
The right glass makes a real difference
Collins Glass
The tall, narrow Collins glass is the definitive vessel for this cocktail family. Its height accommodates the generous volume of shaken berry cocktail plus ice plus soda water without overflow, and the slender profile keeps carbonation concentrated longer than a wider glass would. The tall format also shows off the drink's beautiful raspberry-pink colour and the berry garnishes floating within — making the Raspberry Collins one of the most visually appealing cocktails to bring to a table.
Alternatives
A highball glass is the most common substitute and works perfectly. A tall mason jar is a charming, rustic alternative for outdoor serving. A rocks glass can be used for a shorter, more spirit-forward presentation served over ice with less soda. For a more formal setting, an elegant slim tumbler maintains the drink's tall profile without requiring a dedicated Collins glass.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rounds
Delicate smoked salmon on chilled cucumber slices with a cream cheese and dill topping is an elegant, light pairing for the Raspberry Collins. The salmon's smokiness and the cream cheese's richness are cut beautifully by the cocktail's lemon and raspberry acidity, creating a refreshing interplay between food and drink.
Lemon and Raspberry Shortbread
Buttery shortbread biscuits with lemon zest and freeze-dried raspberries folded through the dough mirror the cocktail's flavour profile directly. The sweet-tart combination in the biscuit echoes the drink's gin-lemon-raspberry balance, making for a cohesive, deliberate pairing that feels intentional rather than accidental.
Goat's Cheese and Raspberry Crostini
Toasted baguette slices topped with whipped goat's cheese and a fresh raspberry, drizzled with honey, are a sophisticated appetiser that pairs beautifully with gin's botanicals. The tangy cheese balances the Collins's sweetness, and the fresh raspberry creates a visual and flavour link to the cocktail's key ingredient.
Prawn and Avocado Shots
Small glasses of chilled prawn, ripe avocado, and lemon dressing served as canapé shots are refreshing and elegant alongside the Raspberry Collins. The acidity of the lemon dressing harmonises with the drink's citrus base, and the avocado's creaminess provides a rich counterpoint to the cocktail's bright, refreshing character.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Make Raspberry Purée Ahead
Blend and strain fresh raspberries through a fine mesh sieve up to 24 hours ahead, discarding seeds. Stored in a sealed container in the fridge, raspberry purée keeps well and produces a smoother, more vivid Collins than muddling whole berries individually. Use 15ml of purée per cocktail in place of muddled berries.
Pre-Juice the Lemons
Squeeze lemons up to 8 hours ahead and refrigerate in a sealed container. Lemon juice holds its acidity well over this window. Pre-juicing is the most repetitive preparation step when making multiple Collins cocktails and can be completed well in advance of guests arriving.
Batch the Spirit Base
Combine gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and raspberry purée in a sealed jug and refrigerate up to 4 hours ahead. When serving, pour individual portions over ice in Collins glasses and top each with a measure of chilled soda water from a freshly opened bottle. This method produces near-individual quality at scale.
Pre-Chill Soda Water
Refrigerate soda water at least 2 hours before service. Cold soda retains its carbonation far better when added to a glass than room-temperature soda, which releases bubbles rapidly on contact with ice. A properly chilled soda produces a livelier, more effervescent Collins that stays fizzy longer.
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