Singapore Sling
A fruity, tart sling of gin, cherry liqueur and a hint of herbal liqueur under a sparkling top.
Ingredients
- London Dry gin30 ml
- Cherry liqueure.g. Cherry Heering15 ml
- Bénédictinee.g. DOM Bénédictine7.5 ml
- Cointreau7.5 ml
- Lime juice, freshly squeezed15 ml
- Pineapple juice, freshly pressed120 ml
- Grenadine10 ml
- Aromatic bitters (Angostura)e.g. Angostura2 dashes
- Soda watertop up
- Pineapple, to garnish (optional)1 slice
- Cocktail cherry, to garnish (optional)1 whole
Method
- Fill a shaker with ice cubes.
- Add the gin, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, Cointreau, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine and Angostura bitters.
- Shake hard for 15–20 seconds, until the shaker is ice cold on the outside.
- Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Top up with soda water and stir briefly with a bar spoon.
- Garnish with a slice of pineapple and a cocktail cherry.
Credit Raffles Hotel, Singapore
About this drink
The Singapore Sling was created by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon at the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel, most likely around 1915. It was meant to look like an innocent fruit juice so that women of the time could enjoy a cocktail in public without raising eyebrows. Today it stands as one of the most iconic drinks of colonial-era bar culture, with its signature pink colour and layers of gin, cherry and herbs.
Questions and answers
Why does a Singapore Sling have so many ingredients?
The Raffles recipe blends several liqueurs and juices to build a complex, layered flavour. It is one of the most ingredient-heavy classics, but every element has a job.
Can I measure out a Singapore Sling in advance?
With this many components, it is a good idea to have everything measured beforehand, so you only need to shake and pour when your guests arrive.
