You may have seen it in Las Vegas Parano, as it’s Raoul Duke’s cocktail of choice, but the Singapore Sling has many more strings to its bow. Discover the history of this fancy drink that has become the emblem of Singapore.
Feminist cocktail
It was perfected in the 1910s by Ngiam Tong Boom, bartender at the Long Bar in Singapore’s Raffles Hotel. At the time, it was customary for women not to drink alcohol. While the men didn’t hesitate to enjoy cocktails of varying strength, the women had to make do with teas or fruit juices. Ngiam Tong Boom is inspired by this inequality to create a fruity, sweet cocktail with a shimmering color. First christened Straits Sling, it was a runaway success before falling into oblivion and returning to the limelight as Singapore Sling.
It is still on the menu of this flagship establishment. However, like any beverage worthy of the name, its creation is surrounded by debate and rumor, with others claiming credit for it. We may hear that it originated in England long before 1915, or that no one has ever laid eyes on the original recipe, questioning its veracity.
With fruity and herbaceous notes
But above all, it has become inseparable from Singapore, to the point of being considered its official drink. It is available on all flights to and from the city-state. Recipes vary from bartender to bartender, but here’s the Raffles recipe for a sure-fire winner.
Ingredients
3cl Gin
1,5cl Cherry liqueur
7.5ml Triple sec
7.5ml Benedictine
12cl Pineapple juice
1,5cl Lime juice
1cl Grenadine syrup
1 dash bitter
Preparation
Pour all ingredients into shaker with ice cubes and shake vigorously. Strain and serve in a Hurricane glass filled with ice cubes. Traditionally, the glass is garnished with a wedge of pineapple or a candied cherry, often replaced these days by a slice of dehydrated orange.
Numerous ingredients and an explosion of fruity and herbaceous flavours on the palate. There are also several variations, with some preferring to replace the gin with a more neutral-flavored vodka, and others preferring the Irish Mermaid, which blends Irish whiskey, Aperol, cherry liqueur, orgeat syrup and bitter.
What is a sling? A mix of spirits, sugar and sparkling water that was very popular in the 19th century. The Singapore Sling is undoubtedly the most famous cocktail in this category. It was also one of Hemingway’s favorite drinks, along with the Daiquiri.
