Collins Glass
Also known as: chimney glass, tall glass
Definition
A tall, narrow, cylindrical glass larger than a highball, designed for long drinks like the Tom Collins and other refreshing cocktails with significant mixer volume.
## What Is a Collins Glass?
A Collins glass is a tall, straight-sided cylindrical glass designed for long drinks — cocktails with a spirit base and a generous volume of mixer, soda, or juice. Collins glasses typically hold 10 to 14 ounces, larger than a highball glass (8–12 oz) while narrower than a pint glass. The straight walls and vertical profile accommodate substantial ice volume while keeping carbonation alive longer than a wider vessel.
## Origin: The Tom Collins
The Collins glass takes its name directly from the Tom Collins cocktail — gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda. The Tom Collins appeared in Jerry Thomas's 1876 edition of How to Mix Drinks, and by the late 1800s the tall cylindrical glass had become so associated with the drink that the entire glassware category took its name.
## Collins Glass vs. Highball Glass
These glasses are frequently confused and used interchangeably. A Collins glass is taller and narrower with strictly straight sides; a highball glass is slightly shorter and may have a gentle outward taper. Collins glasses are preferable for drinks with muddled ingredients at the bottom (like a Mojito) because the straight walls allow clean layering from base to rim.
## Classic Collins Glass Cocktails
The glass suits any spirit-plus-carbonated-mixer drink built with generous ice: **Tom Collins** (gin, lemon, soda), **John Collins** (bourbon base), **Mojito** (rum, mint, lime, soda), **Singapore Sling**, **Tequila Sunrise**, and **Long Island Iced Tea**.
## Presentation Value
Straight sides create natural presentation opportunities. Citrus wheels perch proportionally on the rim; long mint sprigs rise above the ice; layered drinks show their color gradients clearly through the transparent walls. For any long drink, the Collins glass is as much a presentation tool as a functional vessel.
## FAQ
**Can I substitute a highball glass?**
In most cases, yes. The difference is mainly volume and presentation.
**How much ice should I use?**
Fill the glass completely with ice before adding any liquid.
💡 Pro Tips
- Fill completely with ice before adding any liquid — full ice maintains temperature and controls dilution
- Pour carbonated mixers slowly down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation
- Straight sides make Collins glasses ideal for layered drinks and attractively visible garnishes
- A long mint sprig or citrus wheel on the rim fits the glass proportions perfectly
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Confusing with a highball glass — Collins glasses are taller and hold more volume
- Not filling with enough ice, resulting in a warm, rapidly diluted drink
- Stirring carbonated mixers too vigorously and flattening the effervescence
- Using for heavy spirit-forward drinks that belong in a smaller rocks glass
