The Singapore Sling classic cocktail was invented in Singapore’s Raffles Hotel where it started off as a Straits Sling.
However, this appeared a little too dry for the contemporary taste buds. So, the head bartender decided to sweeten it up a bit. He replaced Kirsch with cherry brandy and lengthened the drink to make it more refreshing.
The result: one of the most famous gin-based cocktails in the world, ready to refresh your taste-buds on a hot day and transport you to a fan-cooled veranda on a hot and humid Singapore day. Aaaah! I can taste it now…
Singapore Sling recipe
Ingredients:
- 30ml of gin
- 30 ml of Benedictine
- 30 ml of fresh lime juice
- 60 ml of soda water
- And a dash of Angostura bitters
Method:
Build the first 4 ingredients in a tall ice-filled glass, then stir, top up with soda water and add the bitters.
For a spicy twist on the classic recipe, replace soda water with ginger beer or ginger ale, sit back and pretend you’re in Singapore.
Did you know?
The Singapore Sling was originally simply called the Gin Sling, but as its fame developed local ingredients such as Sarawak pineapple juice were added.
Sometime around 1930, it took its current name and the recipe was the listed in the Savoy Cocktail book (paid link) based on the memories of the bartenders at the Long Bar at Raffles Hotel. Over the years, it has had many incarnations with many variations.
The most well known is the Singapore Sling but variations are plentiful and include the Gin Sling and the Straits Sling, a punch version that can serve up to six people. Whatever your preferred mix, this is a cocktail redolent of classic colonial Singapore. Mix one up and let us know what you think…
Written by Steve (with a little help from Ruddles, the gin dog!)
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