Straits Sling

The Straits Sling is a sophisticated and historic cocktail balancing the botanicals of gin with the herbal sweetness of Bénédictine and the rich fruitiness of cherry liqueur. Brightened with fresh lime juice and complex bitters, it's topped with soda water for a refreshing effervescence. It offers a drier, more spirit-forward experience compared to its well-known descendant, the Singapore Sling, making it a favorite for those who appreciate nuanced classics.
Straits Sling

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Straits Sling is categorized as a classic cocktail. It belongs to the "Sling" family of drinks, characterized as long drinks often built with a spirit, citrus, a sweetener, and lengthened with water or soda.

Serving

Served cold in a tall Highball glass with ice, this is a refreshing long drink with a moderate alcohol content.
Serving size
Approximately 180-240 ml / 6-8 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-18% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball glass
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The Straits Sling is believed to be the original 'Sling' served at the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel in Singapore before the creation of the iconic Singapore Sling. It represents an older style of drink, simpler in composition but rich in flavor. This cocktail was a popular choice among patrons in the British colonial Straits Settlements during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Origin
The drink originated in the Straits Settlements (modern-day Singapore and parts of Malaysia) around the late 19th or early 20th century. It predates the Singapore Sling, which was created in 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon at the same hotel.

Straits Sling

The drink is primarily known as the Straits Sling. Some may refer to it generically as a type of Gin Sling, which was a popular category of drinks in its time, though this name is less specific.
Original name
Straits Sling
Alternative name
Gin Sling

Characteristics overview

This is a refreshingly effervescent cocktail with a complex herbal and botanical profile, balanced by sweet cherry and sour lime. It has a clean, crisp texture and a lingering spicy finish.
Flavor
Herbal, juniper, citrusy, cherry, spicy, slightly sweet
Aroma
Botanical, herbal, lime, subtle cherry
Taste balance
Balanced, sweet, sour, herbal
Aftertaste
Clean, herbal, lingering spice
Fizziness
Effervescent, sparkling
Color appearance
Pale pinkish-amber, clear, bubbly
Texture
Light, crisp, watery
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink has a moderate flavor intensity, characterized by a balance of sourness and sweetness, with noticeable herbal notes and a light alcohol presence. It is moderately carbonated for a refreshing finish.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires a base of London Dry Gin, complemented by Bénédictine and Cherry Liqueur. Fresh lime juice, two types of bitters, and a splash of soda water complete the recipe.
  • London Dry Gin45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A classic juniper-forward gin works best.
  • Bénédictine D.O.M.15 ml / 0.5 oz
    An essential herbal liqueur for this drink's profile.
  • Cherry Liqueur15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Cherry Heering is traditional, but other quality cherry liqueurs work well.
  • Fresh Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Freshly squeezed is crucial for a balanced taste.
  • Angostura Aromatic Bitters1 dash
    Adds spice and depth.
  • Orange Bitters1 dash
    Enhances the citrus notes.
  • Soda WaterTop up, approx. 60 ml / 2 oz
    To lengthen the drink; add to taste.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a cocktail shaker set, including a strainer and jigger, to properly mix and chill this drink before serving.
  • Cocktail shaker for chilling and mixing ingredients.
  • Strainer for separating ice from the liquid.
  • Jigger for measuring ingredients accurately.

Instructions

The method involves shaking the spirits, liqueurs, and juices with ice, straining into an ice-filled Highball glass, and then topping with soda water before garnishing.
1. Chill a Highball glass by filling it with ice and setting it aside.
2. Add gin, Bénédictine, cherry liqueur, lime juice, and both bitters to a cocktail shaker.
3. Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 10-12 seconds until well-chilled.
4. Empty the ice from the serving glass and fill it with fresh cubed ice.
5. Strain the contents of the shaker into the prepared glass.
6. Top with chilled soda water, leaving a little space at the top.
7. Garnish with an orange slice and an optional brandied cherry.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of an orange slice is traditional for the Straits Sling, with a brandied cherry as an optional extra to enhance the fruit notes.
  • Orange slice, placed on the rim or in the drink.
  • Brandied cherry, dropped into the drink (optional).

Dietary Information

This cocktail is typically vegan, dairy-free, egg-free, and gluten-free, containing no major allergens. It is an alcoholic beverage and is caffeine-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail has a moderate calorie and sugar content, primarily derived from the liqueurs and a small amount of juice.
Calories
Averagely 200-230 kcal / 837-962 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-17 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Straits Sling is a perfect refresher for a warm afternoon or a sophisticated choice for a pre-dinner aperitif. Its tall, cool nature makes it ideal for social gatherings and relaxed cocktail hours.
  • Summer afternoon
  • Social gathering
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Cocktail hour

Pairing suggestions

The Straits Sling pairs well with light and spicy Southeast Asian cuisine, as its herbal and citrus notes cut through the heat. Its refreshing qualities also make it a great companion for salty snacks or simple seafood dishes, cleansing the palate between bites.
  • Spicy Asian appetizers like spring rolls or satay.
  • Salty snacks such as nuts or crisps.
  • Light seafood dishes like grilled prawns.

Straits Sling: A Taste of Colonial History

The Straits Sling is a classic cocktail that offers a fascinating taste of history, predating the world-renowned Singapore Sling. It's a complex, spirit-forward long drink that beautifully balances the botanical notes of gin with the herbal sweetness of Bénédictine and the deep fruit flavor of cherry liqueur. Brightened by lime and bitters and finished with a refreshing fizziness from soda water, it's an excellent choice for those who appreciate a drier, more nuanced drink. A perfect tipple for a warm day, it's a tribute to the golden age of cocktails.

Similar Cocktails

Singapore Sling

The more famous descendant, which adds pineapple juice, grenadine, and Cointreau, making it much fruitier, sweeter, and more complex.

Tom Collins

A simpler gin-based long drink, consisting of gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. It lacks the herbal complexity of the Bénédictine and cherry liqueur.

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