A dash of pineapple, a little cherry brandy and a liberal dose of gin. What’s not to love about this iconic little cocktail?
In the heart of Singapore lies a colonial building that has become renowned as a city oasis.
Originally a ten bedroom bungalow, Raffles hotel recently celebrated its 127th year since it opened its doors back in 1887.
The venue, a beacon of luxury, has been expanded, renovated and restored more times than the Bride of Wildenstein’s face.
It has hosted the toasted among the celebrity elite. It has even had a tiger come to tea (that was subsequently shot after peeking out from under the billiard table and shocking guests).
However, Raffles strongest call to fame is its resident cocktail, The Singapore Sling.
The Legend
Created one fateful evening circa 1915 in the hotel’s infamous Long Bar, the Singapore Sling is said to be the handiwork of resident bar man, Ngiam Tong Boon. Boon, at the request of a visitor, hastily scribbled the recipe on a till receipt and kept it from the peering eyes of the public in his safe.
However, this version of the story is highly contested.
There are claims that the Sling is an appropriation of The Bronx cocktail, that it didn’t contain pineapple juice, that Boon was not the inventor.
There’s even claim that the Singapore sling was simply a gin sling with a little cherry brandy splashed in for good measure.
Still, there is a reason why many still head to the white facade of Raffles to catch an afternoon in the balmy sun sipping on this world renowned cocktail.
See why for yourself:
30 ml (1 oz) gin
15 ml (1/2 oz) cherry brandy
120 ml (4 oz) pineapple juice
15 ml (1/2 oz) lime juice
7.5 ml (1/4 oz) Cointreau
7.5 ml (1/4 oz) DOM Benedictine
10 ml (1/3 oz) grenadine
A dash of Angostura bitters
Garnish with a slice of pineapple and cherry.