Blueberry Collins Cocktail Recipe

I love making cocktails that are simple, refreshing, and honestly, just easy to throw together any time of year. The Blueberry Collins is one of my favorites—it blends fresh blueberry flavor with that classic crispness you get from a Tom Collins.

It’s a straightforward drink you can make at home with just a few ingredients and basic bar tools.

In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly how I make it so you can enjoy the same bright, fruity taste. The blueberries add a natural sweetness and a pop of color that makes the drink as nice to look at as it is to sip.

You’ll see what the drink tastes like before you even mix it up. Let’s get into it, so you’ll have everything you need to make your own Blueberry Collins from start to finish.

Blueberry Collins Cocktail Recipe

I make this drink with fresh blueberries, bright lemon juice, and crisp gin for a refreshing taste. The mix of sweet simple syrup and fizzy club soda gives it a balanced flavor and a light, sparkling finish.

Equipment

I keep my tools simple when making a Blueberry Collins. A sturdy cocktail shaker helps me mix the ingredients well.

I also use a muddler to crush the blueberries and release their juice. Here’s what I use:

• Cocktail shaker
• Muddler or wooden spoon
• Jigger or measuring cup
• Fine mesh strainer
• Highball glass
• Long spoon or stirrer
• Ice cubes

Having the right tools makes the process quicker. It keeps the drink consistent every time, which is honestly pretty satisfying.

Ingredients

I like to measure everything so the flavors stay balanced. Fresh blueberries give the drink a natural sweetness, while lemon juice adds a tart note.

Gin brings a botanical base, and simple syrup smooths out the flavor. Here’s what I use for one serving:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz fresh lemon juice
• 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
• 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
• 2-3 oz club soda
• Ice cubes
• Lemon wheel or blueberries for garnish (optional)

Using fresh ingredients makes the drink taste brighter and more refreshing. It’s honestly worth the extra minute to grab fresh berries.

Instructions

I start by adding the blueberries to the shaker and pressing them gently with the muddler. This releases their juice without breaking the seeds.

Here’s how I make it:

• Add blueberries to shaker and muddle well.
• Pour in gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup.
• Fill shaker with ice and shake for about 10 seconds.
• Strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
• Top with club soda.
• Stir gently and garnish if desired.

I avoid shaking the club soda with the other ingredients to keep the drink fizzy. It’s a small thing, but makes a difference.

Notes

I sometimes adjust the simple syrup depending on how sweet the blueberries are. If they’re very ripe, I use a little less syrup.

For a stronger blueberry flavor, I muddle a few extra berries or even make a blueberry syrup by simmering berries with sugar and water.

If I don’t have a shaker, I just use a sturdy jar with a lid. I’ve also swapped gin for vodka when making it for friends who prefer a milder taste.

Tasting Notes

When I take my first sip, the fresh blueberry flavor jumps out at me. It’s a little sweet, but thankfully not too much.

The berries give it this natural fruit taste that feels light and clean. Honestly, it’s not syrupy or artificial, which is a relief.

The lemon juice brings a bright, crisp tang that really balances things out. I like how the citrus sharpness keeps each sip refreshing.

It stops the drink from getting heavy or cloying. I’m always a fan of that kind of balance.

I can pick up the gin’s subtle herbal notes in the background. They blend in with the fruit and citrus, never stealing the spotlight.

That makes it pretty easy to enjoy, even if you’re not usually a gin person. I’d say it’s pretty approachable.

The soda water adds a gentle fizz. I love how the bubbles lift the flavors and make the whole thing feel lively.

The texture stays smooth, with just enough effervescence to keep things interesting. It’s not flat, but it’s not aggressively bubbly either.

The color is this soft purple-pink—kind of inviting, honestly. I like seeing the blueberry pieces at the bottom; it just feels fresh and homemade.