Named after the famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore, the Singapore Sling was created around 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. Originally designed to look like fruit juice so that it was socially acceptable for women to consume alcohol in public, it has evolved into a complex, tropical gin classic.
Fun Fact: The original recipe was lost for years and was eventually reconstructed by the hotel based on the memories of former bartenders and some scribbled notes found on the back of bar chits.
How to Make a Singapore Sling Cocktail
Prep time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 oz Gin
- 1/2 oz Cherry Brandy (Heering)
- 1/4 oz Cointreau
- 1/4 oz Benedictine
- 4 oz Pineapple Juice
- 1/2 oz Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/3 oz Grenadine
- 1 dash Angostura Bitters
- Garnish: Pineapple wedge and a Maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Combine the gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, Benedictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and bitters in a shaker with ice.
- Shake vigorously until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled highball or Hurricane glass filled with fresh ice.
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge and a cherry.
Notes
Foam Head: For the most authentic foam head, use fresh, high-quality pineapple juice. The enzymes in the fresh juice create a much frothier texture when shaken.
Sweetness: If the drink feels too sweet, slightly increase the lime juice or reduce the grenadine to balance the tropical fruitiness.
