Singapore Sling Recipe and History

By | June 18, 2010

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While waiting for the “Creatures of the Night” show to start at the Singapore Night Safari, my and my friends decided to get some refreshments at the Chang Chawang Bar beside Bongo Burgers.

And there, brightly lit in neon, is the sign Singapore Sling. And at that moment, I knew what I’ll order.

The Singapore Sling was first concocted by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender working at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel in Singapore around 1915. Yes, it’s that old.

Singapore Sling Ingredients:

  • 8 parts Gin
  • 4 parts Heering Cherry Liqueur (cherry brandy)
  • 1 part Cointreau
  • 1 part DOM Bénédictine
  • 2 parts Grenadine
  • 16 parts Pineapple juice
  • 6 parts Fresh lemon juice
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters

Preparation:
Pour all ingredients into cocktail shaker filled with ice cubes. Shake well. Strain into Poco Grande glass. Garnish with pineapple and maraschino cherry.

How does it taste like? Well, call me naive but the first thing that came into my mind was the Mindoro Sling. And maybe I’m just nationalistic because I thought the Mindoro Sling tastes better.

Or is it because I haven’t tried the original Singapore Sling in Raffles Hotel, which I’m sure is the best place to order this drink. Perhaps in my next visit to Singapore… but for now – Cheers!



One thought on “Singapore Sling Recipe and History

  1. Lene

    Hey, go try the real singapore sling at Raffles Hotel. I’ve tried all the “pirated version” of singapore sling everywhere, and it tastes nothing like the real thing!

    By the way, yes I’m a Singaporean.

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