Singapore Sling: A Tropical, Fruity Classic

The Singapore Sling is a complex and vibrant cocktail that has stood the test of time since its creation in the early 20th century. Packed with layers of fruit flavors, herbal undertones, and a hint of spice, this gin-based cocktail is both refreshing and indulgent.

Originally created at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, the drink was designed to be a tropical, easy-sipping option that could appeal to both men and women. With its beautiful pinkish-red color and tantalizing mix of flavors, the Singapore Sling is an ideal cocktail for summer evenings, beach parties, or any occasion that calls for a fruity, exotic twist.

Quick Facts: Singapore Sling

Method: Shaken
Flavor profile: Fruity, herbal, slightly sweet, and tart
How to serve it: Over ice
Glassware: Highball glass or hurricane glass
Alcohol content: ~ 12-15% ABV, depending on the proportions

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Ingredients

The Singapore Sling has a long list of ingredients, but each one plays a crucial role in creating its signature tropical flavor. Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1½ oz Gin (A London Dry gin like Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire works well)
• ½ oz Cherry Heering (A Danish cherry liqueur that adds sweetness and depth)
• ¼ oz Cointreau (Orange liqueur for a citrus note)
• ¼ oz Bénédictine (A herbal liqueur that adds complexity)
• 4 oz Pineapple juice (Freshly squeezed is best, or use high-quality bottled juice)
• ½ oz Lime juice (Freshly squeezed for brightness)
• ⅓ oz Grenadine (For color and sweetness)
• 1 dash Angostura bitters (For a subtle spicy note)
• Ice (For shaking and serving)
• Pineapple slice and maraschino cherry (For garnish)

Ingredient Notes:
The Singapore Sling relies on a combination of tropical fruit flavors, herbal notes, and a bit of spice. The gin serves as the base, while the Cherry Heering gives the drink its signature cherry flavor and sweetness. The Bénédictine adds herbal depth, while the Cointreau offers a citrusy kick. Fresh pineapple and lime juice brighten the cocktail, and the grenadine provides both color and a sweet finish. The dash of Angostura bitters ties everything together with a touch of spice.

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Equipment Needed

To make a Singapore Sling, you’ll need a few essential bar tools to ensure the cocktail is mixed properly and served beautifully:

• Shaker: For mixing and chilling the ingredients.
• Jigger: To measure the ingredients accurately.
• Strainer: To strain the cocktail into the glass without ice shards.
• Highball or hurricane glass: These glasses enhance the tropical presentation of the drink.
• Citrus press or reamer: For extracting fresh lime juice.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

Though the ingredient list is long, making a Singapore Sling is straightforward. Here’s how to do it:

1. Chill the glass: Start by chilling your highball or hurricane glass in the freezer, or fill it with ice water while you prepare the cocktail.
2. Add the ingredients to a shaker: Measure 1½ oz gin, ½ oz Cherry Heering, ¼ oz Cointreau, ¼ oz Bénédictine, 4 oz pineapple juice, ½ oz fresh lime juice, ⅓ oz grenadine, and 1 dash of Angostura bitters. Pour all the ingredients into a shaker.
3. Add ice and shake: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds, ensuring the cocktail is well-chilled and the ingredients are fully mixed.
4. Strain into the glass: Discard the ice or water from your chilled glass and strain the cocktail into the glass over fresh ice.
5. Garnish and serve: Garnish with a slice of fresh pineapple and a maraschino cherry to give the drink its classic tropical look. Serve immediately and enjoy the complex, fruity, and herbal flavors of the Singapore Sling.

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Flavor Profile and Tasting Notes

The Singapore Sling is a cocktail that delivers a burst of tropical and herbal flavors in each sip. The first thing you’ll notice is the bright, fruity sweetness from the pineapple juice and Cherry Heering, balanced by the tartness of fresh lime juice. The grenadine adds a subtle sweetness and rich color, while the gin provides a botanical backbone that ties all the flavors together.

The herbal complexity of Bénédictine and the citrusy notes from Cointreau elevate the drink beyond a typical fruity cocktail, giving it a sophisticated edge. The dash of Angostura bitters adds a hint of spice that lingers on the palate, creating a well-rounded, refreshing finish.

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Garnishing and Presentation

The Singapore Sling is a visually stunning cocktail, thanks to its vibrant pinkish-red hue and tropical garnishes. The traditional garnish is a slice of pineapple and a maraschino cherry, which adds to the tropical theme and makes the drink look inviting and festive. You can also garnish with a lime wheel for an extra citrusy touch or add a pineapple leaf to give the cocktail an even more tropical look.

Serve the drink in a tall glass like a highball or hurricane glass to show off its beautiful color and keep it cool over ice. For an added flair, you can rim the glass with sugar or salt for a sweet or savory twist.

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Pairing Suggestions

The Singapore Sling is a fruity, refreshing cocktail with a tropical flair, making it perfect for pairing with light, flavorful dishes. Here are some pairing ideas:

• Grilled seafood: The bright, fruity flavors of the Singapore Sling pair beautifully with grilled shrimp, fish tacos, or calamari. The sweetness of the pineapple and cherry complements the briny, smoky flavors of the seafood.
• Spicy dishes: The refreshing sweetness and herbal complexity of the cocktail can balance out the heat in spicy dishes like Thai curry, jerk chicken, or spicy barbecue.
• Tropical fruit salads: A fruit salad with mango, pineapple, and papaya echoes the flavors of the cocktail and makes for a light, refreshing pairing.
• Coconut-based dishes: Coconut shrimp, coconut curry, or a coconut dessert pairs well with the tropical sweetness of the drink, enhancing the overall flavor experience.

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Cocktail History and Trivia

The Singapore Sling was created in 1915 at the Long Bar of the Raffles Hotel in Singapore by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. Originally designed as a drink for women, the cocktail’s vibrant color and sweet, fruity flavors made it an instant hit. Over the years, the recipe evolved, with variations on the proportions and ingredients, but the essence of the drink remains the same.

In its early years, the Singapore Sling was seen as a way to discreetly serve alcohol to women, as brightly colored and sweet drinks were more socially acceptable for them at the time. Today, the cocktail is enjoyed by everyone and has become a symbol of tropical luxury and Singaporean hospitality.

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Serving Suggestions

The Singapore Sling is perfect for tropical-themed parties, beach gatherings, or any occasion where you want to transport your guests to a sun-soaked paradise. Its complex layers of fruit and herbal flavors make it an excellent choice for a sophisticated summer cocktail.

To serve a crowd, you can easily make a batch of Singapore Slings by scaling up the ingredients and mixing them in a pitcher. Keep the pitcher chilled and serve the cocktail over ice in individual glasses. This way, you can spend more time with your guests and less time mixing individual drinks.

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Alcohol Content and Alternatives

With an ABV of around 12-15%, the Singapore Sling is a moderate-strength cocktail, thanks to the mix of gin and liqueurs. The addition of pineapple juice, grenadine, and soda water dilutes the alcohol slightly, making it a refreshing yet potent drink.

For a lighter version, you can reduce the amount of gin and Cherry Heering or increase the pineapple juice. Alternatively, you can create a mocktail version by using non-alcoholic gin, omitting the liqueurs, and using additional fruit juices to mimic the sweet and tart flavors of the original drink.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use bottled pineapple juice?
Yes, high-quality bottled pineapple juice works, but fresh juice will give the drink a brighter, fresher flavor.

Is Cherry Heering necessary for a Singapore Sling?
Cherry Heering is traditional and adds depth to the cocktail, but if you can’t find it, you can substitute another cherry liqueur or a cherry-flavored syrup for a similar flavor.

Can I make a Singapore Sling without Bénédictine?
Bénédictine is an important part of the cocktail’s herbal complexity, but if you don’t have it, you can use a different herbal liqueur like Chartreuse or omit it entirely for a simpler flavor profile.

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Conclusion

The Singapore Sling is a classic cocktail that captures the essence of tropical indulgence. With its combination of fruity sweetness, herbal complexity, and a hint of spice, it’s a drink that offers both refreshment and sophistication. Whether you’re enjoying it on a sunny beach or at a summer gathering, the Singapore Sling is a timeless favorite that transports you to paradise with every sip.