Singapore Sling Cocktail
The Singapore sling is a classic gin cocktail that has enchanted drinkers for over a century. The popular story is that it was developed around 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon at the Long Bar in Singapore’s Raffles Hotel. Though its origin is debatable, it is a semisweet, sparkling fruity punch with a delightfully complex flavor.
Nearly every Singapore sling recipe is different, and few agree on the formula or ingredients for this famous cocktail. While many claim to be the “original” Raffles version, that recipe was apparently lost in the 1930s. To some extent, each version follows the gin sling formula of gin, citrus, sweetener, and soda. Many bartenders agree that Bénédictine is this sling’s key ingredient and that liqueur’s herbaceous flavor is essential to any good Singapore sling.
This recipe is one of the newer variations. Others include anything from pineapple juice to grenadine to orange liqueurs. Cocktail historians have also found older recipes that are equally intriguing. No matter how you mix up the Singapore sling, it is a fascinating drink that is well worth your time to explore.
Ingredients
- 1/2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce Liqueur
- 1/2 ounce cherry liqueur
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1/4 ounce syrup
- 2 ounces club soda
- Lemon slice, for garnish
- Maraschino cherry, for garnish
Steps to Make It
- Gather the ingredients.
- In a cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes, pour the gin, Bénédictine, cherry liqueur, lime juice, and simple syrup.
- Shake well.
- Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice.
- Top with club soda.
- Garnish with a lemon slice and cherry. Serve and enjoy.
