Vivian Marlowe
The Singapore Sling is a classic cocktail with a long and disputed history. The drink is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, with Raffles Hotel in Singapore claiming that bartender Ngiam Tong Boon created the drink at the hotel's Long Bar. The recipe, however, has evolved over the years, with numerous variations emerging globally. Despite the variations, the Singapore Sling typically includes gin, citrus, sweetener, and soda, with Bénédictine being considered a key ingredient by many bartenders.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| ABV | 15% |
| Main Alcohol | Gin |
| Other Ingredients | Pineapple juice, lime juice, Grenadine, cherry brandy, Bénédictine, Angostura bitters, orange, triple sec, Cointreau, cherry liqueur, lemon juice, simple syrup, club soda |
| Origin | Raffles Hotel, Singapore |
| Creator | Ngiam Tong Boon |
| Year | 1915 |
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What You'll Learn
Gin
The Singapore Sling, with its enchanting rosy hue, was first crafted in the early 20th century, around 1915, by Ngiam Tong Boon at the Long Bar in Singapore's Raffles Hotel. The intent behind this concoction was to create a cocktail that resembled juice and held a pinkish tint, making it appealing to women as a "socially acceptable punch." This hidden strength beneath a fruity facade has contributed to its enduring allure.
While the specific quantities of ingredients may vary, the gin sling formula generally calls for gin, citrus, a sweetener, and soda. The Savoy Cocktail Book, published in 1930, offers an early documented recipe: one-quarter lemon juice, one-quarter dry gin, and one-half cherry brandy, shaken and strained into a glass filled with soda water and ice. A slice of lemon and a glacé cherry garnish this traditional British rendition.
Over time, the Singapore Sling evolved, and by the 1980s, it often became a simpler mix of gin, bottled sour mix, and grenadine, especially in countries like the United States. However, the Raffles Hotel maintained its version, experimenting with various ratios of gin to cherry brandy, ranging from 2:1 to 1:2. The addition of Bénédictine and increased use of pineapple juice further refined the recipe by the year 2000.
Today, many bartenders agree that Bénédictine, a herbal liqueur, is essential to a well-crafted Singapore Sling, providing a distinctive herbaceous flavor. Other ingredients like Grand Marnier, bitters, and orange liqueurs like Cointreau may also be included, depending on the bartender's preferences and the desired flavor profile.
The Singapore Sling, with its multiple variations, remains a testament to the creativity and experimentation that define the cocktail landscape. While the elusive "classic" version may be elusive, the cocktail's enduring popularity and adaptability to personal tastes have solidified its place in mixology history.
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Cherry liqueur
The Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail that was first created in the early 20th century at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. The original recipe, attributed to bartender Ngiam Tong Boon, includes gin, cherry liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, bitters, and club soda.
- Cherry Heering: A brand of cherry liqueur that is often used in Singapore Slings. It has a strong cherry flavor and adds a vibrant red color to the drink.
- Kirschwasser: A clear cherry liqueur that was likely used in the earliest versions of the Singapore Sling, as suggested by cocktail historian David Wondrich.
- Cherry Brandy: This is another common choice for Singapore Slings and is often used in combination with gin and lemon juice. It provides a more subtle cherry flavor and a golden-red hue to the cocktail.
When preparing a Singapore Sling, the cherry liqueur is typically combined with the other ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. The drink is then shaken until well-chilled, strained into a glass over fresh ice, and topped with club soda. A slice of lemon or orange and a cherry are often added as garnishes.
While the specific measurements and ratios of ingredients may vary, the cherry liqueur plays an essential role in the Singapore Sling's unique flavor profile and its characteristic rosy or pink hue.
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Benedictine
The Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail that was invented in Singapore around 1915. It is a variation on the gin sling, which is made with water, a sweetener, and liquor. The Singapore Sling is a more complex drink, with a long list of ingredients that give it a unique flavour profile: sweet, tart, bitter, fruity, and bubbly.
One of the key ingredients in a Singapore Sling is Benedictine, a sweet herbal liqueur. While it is possible to make the drink without it, using only a small amount (a quarter of an ounce), it is considered a classic ingredient and gives the cocktail its distinctive character. Benedictine is also used in other cocktails such as the Vieux Carre and the Poet's Dream.
The Raffles Hotel, where the Singapore Sling was invented, never wrote down the recipe, and over time, the cocktail fell out of favour. As a result, there are now many variations of the recipe, and the original proportions and ingredients are unknown. Some recipes substitute B&B (a mixture of Benedictine and brandy) for Benedictine, but this will alter the flavour of the drink.
To make a Singapore Sling, add gin, Benedictine, Grand Marnier, cherry liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, and bitters to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice and top with club soda. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.
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Pineapple juice
The Singapore Sling is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed by drinkers for over a century. It is believed to have originated around 1915 at the Long Bar in Singapore's Raffles Hotel, created by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. While the original recipe has been lost, numerous variations of the Singapore Sling have emerged over the years, each with its unique combination of ingredients and flavours.
One of the earliest recorded recipes of the Singapore Sling can be found in the 1930 edition of "The Savoy Cocktail Book," which includes lemon juice, gin, and cherry brandy. However, by the 1980s, the drink had evolved into a sweeter version, often consisting primarily of gin, bottled sour mix, and grenadine. This variation drifted further from the original concept, emphasising the importance of pineapple juice in recapturing the essence of the classic Singapore Sling.
Over time, bartenders and mixologists have continued to experiment with the recipe, incorporating additional ingredients such as Bénédictine, Grand Marnier, herbal liqueurs, and bitters. Pineapple juice remains a staple in many of these interpretations, contributing to the drink's vibrant colour and flavour profile.
Today, the Singapore Sling is celebrated for its nuanced and complex character, offering a delightful fusion of sweet and tart flavours. While the specific measurements and ingredients may vary, the inclusion of pineapple juice is essential to the identity of this iconic cocktail, setting it apart from other gin-based drinks and contributing to its enduring popularity.
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Grenadine
Over the years, the Singapore Sling has evolved, and many different recipes exist today. Grenadine, a syrup made from pomegranate juice, is a key ingredient in many of these recipes. It adds a sweet, tart flavour and contributes to the drink's distinctive rosy colour.
In the 1980s, the Singapore Sling had become a sugary mixture of gin, bottled commercial sweet-and-sour mix, and grenadine, especially in countries like the United States. This was quite different from the original recipe, which included gin and cherry brandy in varying ratios.
Today, many Singapore Sling recipes include grenadine, along with ingredients like pineapple juice, lime juice, Bénédictine, cherry liqueur, and soda water. The drink is known for its nuanced, complex flavour and is a popular choice for those seeking a tropical vacation in a glass.
While the exact measurements and ingredients may vary, grenadine plays an essential role in the Singapore Sling's unique taste and appearance, making it a key component of this classic cocktail.
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Frequently asked questions
The Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail. However, it often includes other types of alcohol, such as cherry liqueur (cherry brandy), and herbal liqueurs like Benedictine.
The Singapore Sling typically includes pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and club soda. Some recipes also include bitters, orange liqueurs, or Cointreau.
The Singapore Sling was first created in the early 20th century, around 1915, at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. The original recipe is attributed to Raffles bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. It was intended to be a "socially acceptable punch for the ladies" with a rosy colour that looked like juice.
