If you’re looking to impress your friends with a classic and delicious cocktail, the Singapore Sling is the perfect way to go! This guide will show you all the tips and tricks for crafting this timeless beverage. Enjoy!
The Singapore Sling: A Classic Cocktail With a Rich History
The Singapore Sling is one of the most iconic and popular cocktails around. This timeless classic was created in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at Raffles Hotel in Singapore. It has since become an essential part of the city’s culture, with locals and tourists alike indulging in its sweet and sour flavors.
Originally, this cocktail was made using gin, cherry brandy liqueur, Benedictine, Angostura bitters, Cointreau orange liqueur and pineapple juice; however over time it has evolved to include more ingredients such as lime juice or soda water for extra fizziness. Additionally different variations of alcohol can be used such as rum or vodka instead of gin if desired.
In recent years the popularity of the Singapore Sling has grown significantly due to its inclusion on menus across many bars both inside and outside of Singapore – elevating it from being just another drink to becoming a global phenomenon! Today bartenders continue to experiment with different recipes while still keeping Ngiam Tong Boon’s original recipe alive.
Singapore Sling:
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- - 2 ounces gin preferably London dry
- - 1/2 ounce cherry brandy or Cherry Heering liqueur to taste
- - 1/4 ounce Cointreau or other triple sec liqueur
- - 4 ounces unsweetened pineapple juice
- - 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice plus a wedge of lime for garnish
- - 1 teaspoon grenadine syrup
- - 3 dashes Angostura bitters
Instructions
- Instructions:
- Fill a shaker with ice and add all ingredients except the bitters. Shake vigorously until chilled and well combined. Strain into a highball glass filled with crushed ice.
- Add the three dashes of bitters on top of the drink in a circular pattern, then stir gently to combine them throughout the drink without disturbing its surface too much. Garnish with a slice of pineapple and lime wedge. Enjoy!
Glassware
Typical glassware for a Singapore Sling is typically either a collins or a highball glass. The collins glass, also sometimes referred to as the Tom Collins, holds 8-12 ounces and has straight sides that taper out towards the top. A highball glass is generally taller than the collins with slimmer sides, usually holding 10-13 ounces of liquid. Both types of glasses work well for this cocktail because they allow plenty of room for ice and garnishes like slices of citrus fruits or cherries.Flavors
The Singapore Sling is a gin-based cocktail that has been around since the early 1900s. It combines sweet, sour, and bitter flavors in one delicious drink. The base of the cocktail consists of gin, cherry brandy, orange curaçao, and pineapple juice to give it its signature flavor. To balance out the sweetness of these ingredients you’ll also add some dry vermouth or Cointreau for additional complexity. Angostura bitters provide an aromatic finish to complete this classic recipe.
This classic tiki drink is traditionally served with a lime wheel garnish and a Maraschino cherry on top. A combination of cranberry juice, Benedictine liqueur, Bénédictine DOM liqueur (or Triple Sec), and fresh lemon juice can also be added for more tartness and depth of flavor. Depending on your preference you can even replace traditional Gin with vodka or light rum to craft something different yet still full of delightful tastes.
3 tips for Making Your Singapore Sling
- Make sure to use London dry gin for the best flavor.
- Use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of bottled, as it will add more freshness and tartness to the drink.
- If you don’t have Cherry Heering liqueur on hand, a good substitute would be cherry brandy or even kirschwasser (a clear cherry brandy).
