The Singapore Sling is a drink I would imagine nearly everyone has heard of, at least in passing. However, my guess is that most people haven’t ever had one. I know that I certainly fall in to both categories. I’ve heard the name, know the general recipe and even know a bit of the history, but I’ve never enjoyed one. Seems like a fitting time to change that.
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The Singapore Sling began life as the Straits Sling, an invention of Ngiam Tong Boon of the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel in Singapore. The drink is said to have been created in 1915 but didn’t change names to the Singapore Sling until some time around the 1930’s. I can’t really give you any more juicy details than that without simply regurgitating what has already been said by those more in the know than myself. If you’re interested in an in-depth history of the cocktail take a look at this paper authored by Dr. Cocktail himself, Ted Haigh.
I’ll be starting my journey with the number two recipe from the Joy of Mixology:
Singapore Sling No. 2 (Joy of Mixology)
2 oz Beefeater Gin 1/2 oz Cherry Heering 1/4 oz Benedictine 1/2 oz Triple Sec 2 oz Pineapple Juice 3/4 oz Lime Juice Angostura Bitters to Taste Club Soda
1) Combine all ingredients, except soda, over ice 2) Shake until well chilled 3) Strain into an ice filled collins glass 4) Top with Club Soda