Singapore Sling

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

With an inviting look and refreshing flavor, the Singapore Sling has been a classic cocktail for over a century.

Chances are you’ve run across the Singapore Sling, tonight’s cocktail. The first time I heard the alliterative name I was around five years old, going on six. The memory sticks out. My family is at the movie theater and we’re watching Superman III. I was -and still am – all about comic books, and the Christopher Reeve movies were the superhero movies of the time. In fact, they were actually the first blockbusters that paved the way for the current Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Anyway, for those who don’t know or choose not to remember, this is the movie where Good Superman fights Bad Superman in a junkyard and then battles a nightmare-inducing cyborg at the end. And legendary comedian Richard Pryor is in it, too. One scene, the one that sticks out in my memory as being from a totally different movie, has Pryor’s character and a security guard getting absolutely sloshed on Singapore Slings. All while wearing a colossal Styrofoam ten-gallon hat. I think it was the hat that burned itself into my mind grapes. It was mighty, and took up half the frame.

What is a Singapore Sling? It’s a cocktail with quite a history attached to it. While not technically a tiki drink, it has been a mainstay in the scene for decades. A gin-based concoction, the Sling is actually filled with a fair amount of ingredients, such as Bénédictine and pineapple juice, that all come together harmoniously to create that lovely pink aura and sweet and strong flavor. Originally created in Singapore sometime between 1899 and 1915, the Singapore Sling owes its existence to a bartender named Ngiam Tong Boon, who invented it at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel. This recipe was initially made for the ladies, so that they could discreetly imbibe while others thought they were sipping on simple fruit juice.

This cocktail is a perfectly balanced blend of tropical flavors and herbaceous notes. The fruit juices add the extra zing of citrus and a tart finish on your tongue, too. Anyone who tends to veer away from cocktails that are too intense or strong for their palate should thoroughly enjoy the Singapore Sling.

What is the best Gin to Use in a Singapore Sling?

There’s a lot going on in this drink, in terms of what you’re putting in it. The best way to keep it balanced is to keep your spirit base “old school”. There are a ton of tasty gins out there featuring all kinds of different and experimental infusions, but for tonight’s drink let’s stick to a classic London Dry. It doesn’t have any added sugar, allowing the other ingredients to shine through. It’s heavily aromatic and comes with a variety of botanicals for those herbaceous notes, such as juniper, coriander and citrus. 

What glassware and garnish are used?

A highball or even a hurricane glass will do nicely, as both are long and tall enough to hold plenty of ice. For garnish, you can go with an orange slice, a maraschino cherry, a lime wedge or pineapple chunk. If you’re using a hurricane glass, you can probably fit all four.

Why is it called a “sling”?

Calling a cocktail a “sling” comes from the German word schlingen, which means “to swallow”.

Similar Cocktails To The Singapore Sling

If you enjoyed sipping on this Singapore Sling and are thinking about what to imbibe next, Twist and Toast has got you covered with more options than you could shake a bar spoon at. Take a look at these ideas for starters:

• Gin Sour – This strong and satisfying drink is a little sweet and a little tart.
• Daiquiri – A classic cocktail that has truly stood the test of time.
• Gin Sling – A simpler Sling recipe, but no less refreshing.
• Zombie – A tropical mixture of rums and fruit juices that will wake you up for certain.