Singapore Sling

The Singapore Sling is a world-renowned gin-based long drink that originated in the early 20th century. It is celebrated for its beautiful pinkish color and a layered flavor profile balancing sweet and sour with herbal complexity. Key ingredients like cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, and pineapple juice create a unique and unforgettable taste. Served tall over ice, it remains a quintessential tropical cocktail, perfect for warm weather and sophisticated sipping.
Singapore Sling

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Singapore Sling is a classic cocktail, meaning it has a long and established history. It is also categorized as a long drink, served in a tall glass over ice, designed for slower sipping. Its fruity and refreshing nature also places it in the tropical cocktail sub-category.

Serving

Serve this cold, long drink in a chilled highball or hurricane glass filled with ice. With an alcohol content similar to a glass of wine, it's a refreshing but potent sipper.
Serving size
Approximately 250-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 10-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The cocktail is attributed to Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, Singapore, around 1915. At the time, it was not socially acceptable for women to consume alcohol in public. Ngiam cleverly created a pink, fruity drink that looked like a simple juice, allowing women to enjoy a gin cocktail discreetly.
Origin
The Singapore Sling was created at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel, Singapore, sometime before 1915.

Singapore Sling

The drink is almost universally known as the Singapore Sling. The name Straits Sling refers to an earlier, similar drink from the same region, named after the Straits Settlements, a group of British territories in Southeast Asia.
Original name
Singapore Sling
Alternative name
Straits Sling

Characteristics overview

This cocktail presents a complex fruity and herbal aroma, leading to a sweet and sour flavor profile with a smooth, juicy texture. Its vibrant pinkish-red appearance and refreshing character make it a quintessential summer drink.
Flavor
Fruity, sweet, herbal, tart, complex, botanical, citrusy
Aroma
Pineapple, cherry, citrus, juniper, herbal spice
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Lingering, fruity, herbal, clean
Fizziness
Lightly bubbly
Color appearance
Pinkish-red, hazy, vibrant
Texture
Smooth, juicy, light
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is dominated by high levels of fruitiness and sweetness, balanced by a notable sourness and a moderate alcohol presence. A subtle bitterness and herbal spice add complexity, while carbonation is light.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a well-stocked bar, featuring gin as its base, several liqueurs for complexity, and various juices and syrups for its signature fruity profile. Fresh lime and quality pineapple juice are key to achieving the best flavor.
  • Gin30 ml / 1 oz
  • Cherry Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 oz
  • Cointreau7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
  • Bénédictine D.O.M.7.5 ml / 0.25 oz
  • Pineapple Juice120 ml / 4 oz
  • Fresh Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
  • Grenadine10 ml / 0.33 oz
  • Angostura Bitters1 dash

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need standard cocktail-making tools for this recipe. A shaker is essential for properly chilling and combining the many ingredients.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing
  • Jigger for accurate measurement
  • Strainer for pouring without ice

Instructions

The preparation involves shaking all ingredients with ice to achieve perfect dilution and chill. The mixture is then strained over fresh ice into a tall glass and garnished.
1. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
2. Add gin, cherry liqueur, Cointreau, Bénédictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and Angostura bitters to the shaker.
3. Secure the lid and shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
4. Fill a chilled highball or hurricane glass with fresh ice cubes.
5. Strain the mixture from the shaker into the prepared glass.
6. Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry before serving.

Garnishing

A traditional garnish of a fresh pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry complements the drink's tropical flavors. This visual touch enhances the overall presentation and experience.
  • Pineapple wedge to place on the rim of the glass
  • Maraschino cherry to drop in the drink or skewer with the pineapple

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, soy, nuts, and gluten. It is also caffeine-free and suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is moderately high in calories and very high in carbohydrates and sugar, primarily from the juices and liqueurs. It is not considered a low-calorie or low-sugar beverage option.
Calories
Approximately 250-300 kcal / 1045-1255 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 25-30 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 22-27 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is ideal for warm-weather events like summer parties, poolside lounging, or a happy hour with friends. Its exotic character makes it a perfect choice for a tropical-themed gathering or when you simply want to feel like you're on vacation.
  • Summer Party
  • Happy Hour
  • Tropical Vacation

Pairing suggestions

The Singapore Sling's fruity and complex profile pairs wonderfully with light, savory, and slightly spicy foods. It cuts through the richness of appetizers like spring rolls or satay skewers and complements the saltiness of bar snacks. Avoid pairing it with heavy or creamy dishes that would clash with its bright flavors.
  • Light Asian appetizers
  • Chicken or pork satay skewers
  • Spicy nuts or shrimp crackers

The Singapore Sling: A Taste of Tropical History

The Singapore Sling is a historic and visually stunning cocktail that offers a journey of flavors in every sip. Its foundation of gin is beautifully complemented by a medley of fruit and herbal liqueurs, creating a taste that is both complex and incredibly refreshing. While its preparation involves more ingredients than a simple highball, the result is a sophisticated long drink perfect for savoring. It stands as a testament to the golden age of cocktails and a symbol of its Singaporean heritage.