Rose Collins: A Berry French Tom Collins

If you’re looking for a floral gin cocktail that still drinks crisp and refreshing, the Rose Collins is ready for spring. This French-inspired Tom Collins combines gin, black currant liqueur, fresh lemon juice, El Guapo™ Rose Cordial, and club soda for a tall, bubbly cocktail layered with berries, citrus, and rose.

The recipe comes to us from our friends at Garden & Gun, where it was served at the Garden & Gun Club in Atlanta. Citadelle Rouge gin brings cranberry, raspberry, blueberry, black currant, and rhubarb into the mix, while cassis adds concentrated dark berry flavor. Rose Cordial handles the sweetness and floral notes, fresh lemon keeps everything bright, and club soda gives the finished drink its classic Collins lift.

How Rose Cordial Brings the Rose Collins Together

Rose can be tricky in a cocktail. Too little disappears. Too much and suddenly you’re drinking perfume.

El Guapo™ Rose Cordial is made with rose hips, rose petals, and rose water, giving the Rose Collins both floral character and sweetness. In this recipe, it essentially takes the place of the simple syrup used in a traditional Tom Collins, but with considerably more personality.

That matters because there is already plenty happening in this glass. Citadelle Rouge brings layers of red and dark fruit, cassis adds concentrated black currant, and fresh lemon contributes the acidity needed to keep everything lively. The Rose Cordial rounds out those sharper flavors while connecting the berries, citrus, and botanicals.

Club soda finishes the job by adding length and effervescence without piling on more sweetness.

The result is unmistakably floral, but still unmistakably a Collins.

Rose Collins

x Chef Ann Kim
Originally served at the Garden & Gun Club in Atlanta.
This recipe makes 1 serving.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 1½ oz Citadelle Rouge gin
• ¾ oz El Guapo™ Rose Cordial
• ¼ oz Cassis Noir de Bourgogne
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• Club soda, to taste
• 3 rose petals, for garnish
• 1 lemon wheel, for garnish

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
2. Add the gin, cordial, cassis, and fresh lemon juice.
3. Shake until well chilled.
4. Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Top with club soda to taste.
6. Garnish with three rose petals and a fresh lemon wheel.
7. Serve immediately.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh lemon juice: This cocktail needs bright acidity to balance the cassis and Rose Cordial, so freshly squeezed lemon makes a meaningful difference.
• Keep the soda cold: Well-chilled club soda keeps the Rose Collins crisp and refreshing without melting the ice too quickly.
• Add bubbles last: Top the cocktail with club soda only after shaking and straining so you preserve as much carbonation as possible.
• Batch the still ingredients: For a party, combine the gin, Rose Cordial, cassis, and lemon juice ahead of time. Shake individual portions with ice and add club soda only after pouring.
• Choose edible rose petals: If you’re using fresh roses as garnish, make sure the petals are intended for culinary use.
• Don’t overdo the cassis: The recipe only calls for ¼ ounce. That small amount gives the cocktail black currant depth without overwhelming the gin, rose, and lemon.

Related Recipes

• Honeysuckle Rose Collins
• Rose Gimlet

Looking for more cocktail inspiration? Explore our complete collection of recipes and discover your next favorite drink. Have a question? Contact us for assistance, or visit El Guapo’s homepage to explore everything we offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a Rose Collins taste like?

The Rose Collins is floral, citrusy, berry-forward, and refreshing. Cassis brings concentrated black currant flavor, Citadelle Rouge adds layers of red and dark fruit, and Rose Cordial contributes floral sweetness. Fresh lemon and club soda keep the finished drink bright and crisp.

How is a Rose Collins different from a Tom Collins?

A traditional Tom Collins is built with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. The Rose Collins keeps that same refreshing structure but replaces simple syrup with El Guapo™ Rose Cordial and adds cassis and a berry-forward French gin. You still get the citrus, bubbles, and tall pour of a Collins, but with additional floral and berry complexity.

What is Cassis Noir de Bourgogne?

Cassis is a French black currant liqueur with concentrated fruit flavor and a deep berry character. In the Rose Collins, just ¼ ounce adds richness and black currant flavor without overpowering the gin, lemon, and rose.

What does Rose Cordial add to the Rose Collins?

El Guapo™ Rose Cordial provides both sweetness and floral flavor. Because it is made with rose hips, rose petals, and rose water, it gives the cocktail a distinct rose character while taking the place of the plain simple syrup typically used in a Tom Collins.

Can I batch Rose Collins cocktails for a party?

Yes. Combine the gin, Rose Cordial, cassis, and lemon juice ahead of time and keep the mixture chilled. When you’re ready to serve, shake each portion with ice, strain it into a Collins glass over fresh ice, and top with cold club soda. Add the garnishes just before serving.

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