Singapore Sling: The Cocktail That Took a Psychotropic Road Trip

The Singapore Sling is no stranger to the world of cocktails—it’s a vibrant, tropical, gin-forward drink that emerged from colonial-era Singapore and found itself replicated in bars across the globe. But when it shows up in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, clinking ominously beside mescal shots and other unholy concoctions, it gets a whole new edge.

In Hunter S. Thompson’s psychedelic journey through the underbelly of the American dream, the Singapore Sling becomes part of the chaotic rhythm, swirling in a glass somewhere between clarity and madness. It’s the perfect drink for a scene that’s vivid, disorienting, and a bit surreal—because this cocktail, too, carries layers: sweet, sour, herbal, and almost too pretty for its own good.

So here’s our take on the Singapore Sling—not a minimalist, watered-down version, but a lush, theatrical tribute to both its tropical origins and its anarchic cameo in pop culture. It’s a drink to be savored under neon lights, while the ceiling melts and the lizards close in.

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 around 1915 at the Long Bar in Singapore’s iconic Raffles Hotel by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. At the time, it was socially frowned upon for women to drink alcohol in public, so he crafted a pretty, fruit-forward drink that looked like fruit juice but packed a punch.

Over time, the recipe was lost and then “reconstructed” based on memory, written notes, and oral history. That’s why you’ll see a wide range of interpretations—some with grenadine, some with soda, and some barely resembling the original.

As for its cinematic cameo, the Singapore Sling appears in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas during a particularly unhinged bar scene. It’s almost ironic—a dainty colonial drink thrown into the deep end of hallucinogenic chaos, its pink froth glowing under the Las Vegas lights.

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Serving Suggestions

This is a showstopper cocktail for warm evenings, beach-themed parties, or even a tongue-in-cheek Vegas night at home.

Serve it over plenty of ice to keep it cool and refreshing. If preparing for a group, you can batch the core ingredients (minus soda) and shake individual portions. Keep the pineapple and lime juices freshly squeezed for best results.

Ideal serving temperature is chilled, slightly frothy from the shake. Pre-chill your glasses to avoid dilution from melting ice too quickly.

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Alcohol Content and Alternatives

With around 14–16% ABV per serving, the Singapore Sling is moderately strong—enough to satisfy but not overwhelm.

To lighten the drink, reduce the gin to 1 oz and skip the Bénédictine. For a stronger twist, go heavier on the gin or add a float of overproof rum.

For a mocktail version, combine:

• 2 oz pineapple juice
• 1 oz lime juice
• ½ oz grenadine
• Dash of bitters (alcohol-free, if needed)
• Top with soda or tonic water

You’ll keep the vibrant layers and tangy-sweet profile without the buzz.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use grenadine instead of cherry liqueur?
You can, but you’ll lose the rich, boozy depth that cherry Heering provides. It’ll be more like a fruity soda than a cocktail.

What if I don’t have Bénédictine?
Try a tiny splash of DOM, Drambuie, or even herbal bitters—but it’s a hard flavor to replace completely.

Why does mine taste too sweet?
Try reducing the pineapple juice or omitting the simple syrup. A dash more lime juice will bring balance.

Do I have to use fresh juice?
It’s highly recommended—especially for lime. Bottled juices dull the flavor and flatten the drink’s brightness.

Can I batch this for a party?
Yes! Just shake individual servings with ice to preserve texture. Otherwise, batch all non-carbonated ingredients and keep chilled.

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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.