Singapore Sling – an iconic name in cocktail folklore and probably one of the most messed around, messed up and bastardised drinks in mixology history.
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
I make this live on “Simply Singapore”, a YouTube live series I used to run; complete with a shaker mishap! Scroll down to the recipe to watch the video.
As much as I love history, I shan’t bore you to death with the how, the who, the when, the what if and the “are-you-sure?” of Sling legend, because let’s face it, no one really knows. A lot of what you read about the Singapore Sling is conjecture, at best.
The one thing that we all do agree on is that it was probably created by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at The Long Bar, Raffles Hotel (image below), either in the very early 20th century or the very, very late 19th century.
The Singapore Sling – what’s in a name?
Some say it was originally called the Gin Sling. Others say it was known as The Straits Sling (the Straits of Singapore being the body of water surrounding northern Singapore). Whatever it may have been, the original Sling bears only a slight resemblance to the current signature drink sold at The Long Bar.
The Long Bar, Raffles Hotel
Enough background knowledge? As mentioned in the Margarita post, I spent a whole lot of time in The Long Bar, munching on peanuts, chatting up bartenders and belting out the odd song or two with the live band when I could be persuaded. But more importantly, honing my craft as an expert in The Singapore Sling, and ya know nothing beats experience!
I’ve had good, I’ve had bad and I’ve had downright ugly!
So, I hear you ask, what goes in the damn drink then? Well, the original sling, and I use that phrase lightly, had gin, cherry brandy, D.O.M. Bénédictine, some sort of bitters, lime juice and some water.
Somewhere along the line, pineapple juice went in the mix to add sweetness to the drink, which might explain its popularity with the ladies and it becoming quite the fashionable ladies’ drink for a while.
I still have a handwritten recipe from a bartender I was friendly with. He used to go easy on the juice, and didn’t top it up with soda, giving you more of a hit with each sip.
I shall be sharing with you this particular recipe as well. It’s very similar to the one from The Long Bar which is printed on cards and displayed at every table on its premises.
Cricket Club Sling
Then there is also the Singapore Cricket Club Singapore Sling or the Cricket Club Sling. Another favourite place of mine – to watch cricket, exhibition tennis matches and of course, The (old) Singapore Sevens.
Once again, using my sheer powers of persuasion, I got this ancient looking bartender to cough up, ok, bad phrase, to hand over, his so called secret recipe, although I’m thinking not so secret because in researching this post I came across the exact recipe a few times on the Web.
The story goes that 2 members of the Cricket Club mixed their own Sling when they were refused the drink at the bar because it wasn’t in keeping with the high standards of the club!
With the CC recipe, you have equal portions of 3 spirits, lime juice, bitters and soda water. I think this very basic and simpler recipe is important because it gives us a glimpse of what the original, unadulterated Singapore Sling might have been like.
What does the Singapore Sling taste like?
Singapore Sling leans towards sweet, given the amount of pineapple juice in it. With so many liqueurs in it, there are so many flavours and aromas at play, every sip is a real treat to the senses! Fruity and herbal at the same time. You have to drink it to believe it and truly enjoy the delights a real Singapore Sling has to offer!
Here’s your chance to make the real thing!
And, you can read more about D.O.M. Bénédictine as well as try out other DOM Benedictine cocktails by clicking on the images below:
If you like the recipe and article, don’t forget to leave me a comment and that all important, 5-star rating! Thank you!
And if you make the recipe, share it on any platform and tag me @azlinbloor, and hashtag it #linsfood.
Lin xx
Singapore Sling
Equipment
- Cocktail Mixer would be handy
Ingredients
Raffles Hotel Singapore Sling Recipe
- 30 ml Gin
- 15 ml Cherry Heering (or any cherry brandy liqueur)
- 7.5 ml D.O.M. Bénédictine
- 7.5 ml Cointreau
- 100 ml Pineapple Juice
- 15 ml Lime Juice
- 10 ml Grenadine
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- sparkling/soda water to top up
- handful ice cubes
- garnish with a slice of pineapple and cherry
Singapore Sling Recipe 2 (Alex’s)
- 40 ml Gin
- 15 ml Cherry Brandy (any good brand will do)
- 10 ml D.O.M. Bénédictine
- 10 ml Cointreau
- 100 ml Pineapple Juice
- 15 ml Lime Juice
- 10 ml Grenadine
- 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
- handful ice cubes
- garnish with a slice of pineapple
Singapore Cricket Club Singapore Sling
- 30 ml Gin
- 30 ml Cherry Heering
- 30 ml D.O.M. Bénédictine
- 30 ml lime juice
- 30 ml sparkling/soda water
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- small handful ice cubes
Instructions
Raffles Hotel Singapore Sling Recipe
- Mix everything up in a shaker, shake it up and pour over a tall glass filled with ice. Top up with sparkling water (soda water/club soda). I’ve had this served many a time, without the water, just enough ice to fill the glass up, which amounts to the same thing, just no fizz.30 ml Gin, 15 ml Cherry Heering (or any cherry brandy liqueur), 7.5 ml D.O.M. Bénédictine, 7.5 ml Cointreau, 100 ml Pineapple Juice, 15 ml Lime Juice, 10 ml Grenadine, 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters, sparkling/soda water to top up, garnish with a slice of pineapple and cherry, handful ice cubes
Singapore Sling Recipe 2 (Alex's)
- Shake everything (not the pineapple slice) up in a shaker and pour into a glass, without ice. I love large Martini glasses for this.40 ml Gin, 15 ml Cherry Brandy (any good brand will do), 10 ml D.O.M. Bénédictine, 10 ml Cointreau, 100 ml Pineapple Juice, 15 ml Lime Juice, 10 ml Grenadine, 3 dashes of Angostura Bitters, handful ice cubes, garnish with a slice of pineapple
Singapore Cricket Club Singapore Sling
- Fill a small glass up with the ice cubes, pour all the ingredients over the ice, stir to mix and serve as is. Be warned, this is strong stuff!30 ml Gin, 30 ml Cherry Heering, 30 ml D.O.M. Bénédictine, 30 ml lime juice, 30 ml sparkling/soda water, 2 dashes Angostura Bitters, small handful ice cubes
I love trying different cocktails. This one looks fabulous! I’ll have to try it!
What a pretty drink! It looks so good too. Anything that has pineapple is delish!
This is such a great cocktail, I love the colors! need to make this someday
I like these drinks! I am so sure these are all perfect for a party!
I like this drink, this is perfect for our all girls night out! My best friends will love this!
Those drinks looks really good. I will try it on saturday night.
I don’t drink but the colors in the drinks are really pretty. I wouldn’t mind playing bartender for my friends though.
I can’t wait for tomorrow and enjoy this recipe drink with my friends. The recipe is for keeps.
Yes, such a famous beverage. I used to have them back in the day, but haven’t in a very long time. You have inspired me!
Such yummy looking drinks. Love the history facts too.
Thank you Tara, they are lovely!