Singapore Sling

The Singapore Sling is a vibrant, tropical highball cocktail with a delightful blend of gin, cherry, citrus, and herbal flavors. Served tall and garnished with a cherry and pineapple wedge, this iconic drink perfectly captures the spirit of a summer evening at a stylish hotel bar or a breezy beach getaway.

5 minutesMedium1 serving
Singapore Sling
Featured
Ingredients
1 serving
  • Gin
    45 ml (1.5 oz)
    London Dry gin works best
  • Cherry liqueur (Heering)
    25 ml (0.75 oz)
    Heering is traditional, but any cherry brandy works
  • Cointreau (or triple sec)
    10 ml (0.25 oz)
    Adds a touch of orange
  • Benedictine
    10 ml (0.25 oz)
    Herbal liqueur for complexity
  • Pineapple juice
    60 ml (2 oz)
    Fresh if possible, but canned works too
  • Lime juice
    15 ml (0.5 oz)
    Freshly squeezed for best flavor
  • Grenadine
    10 ml (0.25 oz)
    For color and sweetness
  • Angostura bitters
    1 dash
    Optional, for depth
  • Soda water
    30 ml (1 oz)
    To top off; add more or less to taste
Tools Needed
  • Shaker
  • Strainer
  • Jigger
  • Bar spoon
  • Highball or hurricane glass
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients except soda water to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.

  2. Shake vigorously for around 10-15 seconds until well chilled.

  3. Strain into a highball or hurricane glass filled with fresh ice.

  4. Top with soda water to your preference and give a gentle stir.

  5. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a pineapple wedge for the classic Singapore Sling look.

Why You'll Love This Cocktail
  • Its vibrant color and tropical flavor make it a showstopper at any gathering.
  • The complex combination of gin, cherry, and citrus offers a perfectly balanced taste.
  • It's both refreshing and slightly exotic, transporting you to the tropics with every sip.
  • Its storied history adds an air of sophistication and nostalgia.
  • Perfect as a summertime sipper or a celebratory party drink.
History & Origin

The Singapore Sling was invented around 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a bartender at the Long Bar in Singapore’s Raffles Hotel. At the time, it was considered improper for women to drink alcohol in public, so this bright pink cocktail was created to appear more like a fruit juice. Its blend of gin, cherry liqueur, and tropical flavors quickly caught on, making it a staple of hotel bars and cruise ships worldwide. Over the years, countless variations have emerged, but the Singapore Sling remains a symbol of colonial-era glamour and Southeast Asian hospitality.

Garnish

A maraschino cherry and a pineapple wedge. The cherry adds a pop of color and complements the drink’s fruity notes, while the pineapple wedge emphasizes its tropical flair.

Nutrition Info

Approx. 230 calories per serving. Contains about 21g carbohydrates and 16g sugar. Alcohol content will vary based on measurements and specific spirits used.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Singapore Sling Cocktail Recipe - Cocktail Maestro