Singapore Sling – an iconic name in cocktail folklore and probably one of the most messed around, messed up and bastardised drinks in mixology history.
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:
D.O.M. Bénédictine Cointreau and Orange with DOM Benedictine The Benediction
♥ Do you like this recipe? Please give it a 5-star rating below! And when you make it, share it on Instagram or any other social medium and tag me @azlinbloor. Thank you … Lin ♥
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.
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.
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!
It looks absolutely delicious!
Thank you, it sure is!
This is great, thank you. I’ll make the wife one of the pineapple juice one and myself the other.
Thank you Charles, let me know what you both think!
Great stuff once again. I’ll try all of them and let you know what I think!
Lol, not all at once? I look forward to your thoughts!
Wonderful stuff! I thoroughly enjoyed reading your post, and many thanks for the recipes!
A pleasure, thank you Peter!
Wow this is really great,looks so tempting. Thanks for sharing I want to try this.
These all look so good! I might have to try these at some point.
Singapore Sling, I have never heard of that before, but sounds like a wonderful treat for cocktail lovers. It is quiet interesting that you could try out different versions of the same & I like the history around it too!
Thank you Lisa, I love giving a story to my recipes and posts!
This is my type of cocktail! I didn’t hear it about it before but from the ingredients list I can take that it’s very yummy!
Glad to hear it!
I love a good cocktail! It’s been a while because I’m still breastfeeding. Soon as I’m done I’m going to have tons of cocktails such as this.
It certainly is awesome!
I love that you shared some history about this drink, it’s fun to have some backstory. It looks really good!
It sure is, thank you!
I have always heard of this but never knew what the ingredients were to make the cocktail. Such a pretty drink and a great one for a fun night cocktail party
There are so many great mixed drinks out there that I have been wanting to try. The Singapore Sling is one of them. Thanks for the recipe!
Sounds pretty interesting. I am not a fan of liquor so not very familiar with all of this
I don’t drink alcohol, but I like how you gave the history to go along with it.
Alcohol isn’t my thing, but I do know a fellow mama who would LOVE this. I’ll have to share this recipe with her!
Something nice and refreshing to serve on a weekend night out with girls. Best paired with lots of stories and girl bonding.
the perfect thirst qunecher. this looks amazing
I would love to try it. thanks.
OOh it looks so refreshing, I have never tried it before but if it agrees with my medication I would be game for it!
It’s an easy mix and it’s perfect for parties and gatherings during the summer. And although I don’t really drink alcoholic beverages, it would be nice to be able to prepare this for my friends!
Sound like my kind of cocktail – bottom up!
Cocktails equal sophistication in my mind, these look so very glam!
Based on the ingredients, I’m pretty sure this would sit well with me. I love a delicious cocktail like that! 🙂
Oh, this drink looks so delicious. I think this is perfect for a party at home. Will try this recipe.
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!