As one of the oldest drink formulas in existence, the Sling was originally composed simply of spirits, water and a sweetener. The Singapore Sling (more a tikified punch than a sling) is one of the great thirst-quenchers of the 20th century, was created at the Raffles Hotel in 1915 in balmy Singapore. At that time, it was most likely nothing more than gin, citrus, soda and cherry brandy. Over the years, though, it went through a number of hyperbolically sweet phases, some including pre-bottled mixers and canned juices. Today, the Singapore Sling has been dialed back to its drier incarnation using fresh lime juice and cherry brandy.
Singapore Sling
The Raffles Hotel's claim to cocktails.
Ingredients
Serving: 1
- 1 1/2 ounces gin, London dry
- 1/4 ounce Cherry Heering
- 1/4 ounce Cointreau
- 1/4 ounce Bénédictine
- 1/4 ounce grenadine
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 3/4 ounce pineapple juice
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 2 ounces soda water
Garnish: brandied cherry, pineapple wedge and a sprig of mint
Directions
- Add all ingredients except for soda to a cocktail shaker.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain over ice into a Collins glass.
- Top with soda.
- Garnish with a brandied cherry, a pineapple wedge and a mint sprig.