Singapore Sling
A complex and fruity gin-based cocktail from Singapore, combining cherry brandy, citrus, and herbal liqueurs for a refreshing tropical delight.
What is this drink?
The Singapore Sling is a complex, multi-layered gin cocktail created in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon at the Raffles Hotel's Long Bar in Singapore — one of the few cocktails with a precisely documented origin story. Originally conceived as a 'lady's drink' that appeared less alcoholic than it was, it combined gin with cherry brandy and tropical fruit juices into something that transcended its marketing and became a genuine classic of global cocktail culture.
Why you'll love it
The Singapore Sling rewards the complexity of its ingredient list with a flavor profile that is genuinely multi-dimensional — botanical gin, sweet-tart cherry brandy, herbal Benedictine, and the tropical brightness of pineapple juice create layers that reveal themselves sip by sip.
When to serve
This is a celebration cocktail — perfect for special occasions, Singapore-themed dinners, high-end tropical bars, or anywhere guests appreciate craftsmanship. Its sophistication makes it an excellent conversation piece alongside Asian appetizers.
Pro tip
Shake the Singapore Sling hard and long enough to properly froth the pineapple juice — this light foam on top is a visual and textural hallmark of a well-made Singapore Sling and indicates the drink has been properly emulsified.
Gin
The aromatic backbone — gin's botanicals provide the herbal complexity that holds all the other liqueurs and juices together in a coherent, sophisticated cocktail architecture.
Cherry Brandy
The signature secondary spirit — cherry brandy gives the Singapore Sling its distinctive blush color and a sweet, slightly tart stone-fruit flavor that defines the drink's identity.
Benedictine Liqueur
The secret depth ingredient — this ancient French herbal liqueur adds honey, herbal, and spice complexity that elevates the cocktail far beyond a simple gin punch.
Swap Options
Replace cherry brandy with Cherry Heering for a more authentic historical recipe with slightly deeper cherry flavor. Swap Cointreau for Grand Marnier for a richer orange liqueur note. Use fresh pineapple juice instead of canned for a significantly more vibrant tropical flavor. Add a dash of Peychaud's bitters alongside the Angostura for a more aromatic, complex finish.
Combine ingredients
In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, Benedictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and a dash of Angostura bitters.
Tips:
- •Use fresh lime juice and natural pineapple juice for a more balanced, less sugary flavor.
Shake well
Shake vigorously for about 20 seconds until well chilled.
Tips:
- •A strong shake helps emulsify the pineapple juice and create a frothy top.
Strain and serve
Strain into a tall Collins or hurricane glass filled with ice.
Tips:
- •Serve over cubed ice rather than crushed for a longer-lasting chill.
Garnish
Garnish with a pineapple slice and cherry.
Tips:
- •Add a cocktail umbrella or orange wheel for a traditional Singapore Sling look.
- For a lighter version, reduce the cherry brandy slightly and increase the pineapple juice.
- Try adding a splash of soda water for a sparkling twist.
- Use premium gin with strong botanical notes for depth.
Different ways to make this drink your own
Original Cherry Heering Singapore Sling
Use Cherry Heering in place of generic cherry brandy for a more authentic, historically accurate Singapore Sling with a slightly deeper, more complex cherry character. Cherry Heering is the specific liqueur used in the original Raffles Hotel recipe and produces a noticeably more sophisticated and nuanced result.
Grand Marnier Singapore Sling
Swap Cointreau for Grand Marnier for a richer, more complex orange liqueur note with cognac-backed depth. Grand Marnier's brandy base adds warmth and complexity that the lighter Cointreau doesn't provide, giving the Singapore Sling a more substantial, grown-up character without changing its essential tropical nature.
Fresh Pineapple Singapore Sling
Use freshly pressed pineapple juice instead of bottled or canned for a dramatically more vibrant, fragrant base. Fresh pineapple juice has a brightness and complexity — slight acidity, floral notes, enzymatic freshness — that pre-packaged juice cannot replicate, producing a significantly superior cocktail.
Tools that make this drink come together
Cocktail Shaker
A cocktail shaker is essential for the Singapore Sling's multiple ingredients — the gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, Bénédictine, lime juice, pineapple juice, and grenadine all need vigorous shaking with ice to chill, dilute, and integrate properly. Shake hard for a full 15 seconds.
Jigger
The Singapore Sling is one of the more complex classic cocktails, involving many ingredients in specific proportions. A jigger ensures each component is properly balanced — too much cherry brandy overwhelms, too little Bénédictine loses the herbal depth that defines the drink's character.
Fine Strainer
Double-straining through both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh sieve produces the cleanest, most elegant Singapore Sling — particularly important when using fresh pineapple juice, which can leave fine pulp in the drink. This extra step takes only seconds and significantly improves the finished presentation.
Can't Find These?
A large sealed jar works as an improvised shaker. Bénédictine can be found in most large off-licences and supermarkets — it's a key component that genuinely cannot be easily substituted. Cherry Heering or a good cherry brandy is also essential. The Singapore Sling requires commitment to proper ingredients for the best result.
The right glass makes a real difference
Sling Glass or Highball Glass
A traditional sling glass — tall, slightly flared, with a short stem — is the authentic vessel for a Singapore Sling and creates a beautiful presentation that complements the drink's heritage. A tall highball glass is a widely used, practical alternative. Both choices should be clear to showcase the drink's characteristic warm amber-pink colour.
Alternatives
A Collins glass is functionally identical to a highball. A tall stemmed hurricane glass adds theatrical, tropical character. At the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, the Singapore Sling is served in a distinctive, wide-mouthed hurricane-style glass that has itself become a design icon.
Perfect food pairings to complete the experience
Satay Skewers with Peanut Sauce
Grilled chicken or prawn satay skewers with a rich, creamy peanut dipping sauce are a natural pairing for the Singapore Sling. The cocktail's fruity, gin-based character refreshes the palate between skewers, and both elements share a South-East Asian culinary identity.
Prawn Crackers with Sweet Chilli
Crispy prawn crackers with sweet chilli dipping sauce are a light, enjoyable aperitif accompaniment for the Singapore Sling. The crackers' delicate, savoury crunch and the dipping sauce's gentle heat are perfectly tempered by the cocktail's complex, fruity sweetness.
Char Siu Bao (BBQ Pork Buns)
Soft, pillowy steamed buns filled with sweet, barbecued pork are a celebrated Singaporean snack that pairs beautifully with the Singapore Sling. The bun's gentle sweetness and the pork's caramelised depth complement the cocktail's cherry, citrus, and herbal notes in a satisfying way.
Chilli Crab Spring Rolls
A playful adaptation of Singapore's national dish — chilli crab filling wrapped in crispy spring roll pastry — is a memorable, theatrical pairing for the Singapore Sling. The spiced crab filling's heat and sweetness are beautifully tempered by the cooling, fruity cocktail.
Prep in advance for effortless serving
Batch the Base Spirits
Combine gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, and Bénédictine in a sealed bottle and store at room temperature for weeks. Having this spirit mix prepared means assembly only requires adding fresh juice, grenadine, and ice. This approach works particularly well for parties where you're making many Singapore Slings.
Use Cold-Pressed Pineapple Juice
Cold-press a large quantity of pineapple juice up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate. Cold-pressed juice keeps better than heat-extracted varieties and retains more of the fresh flavour that makes this cocktail exceptional. Having it ready eliminates the most time-consuming preparation step.
Pre-Squeeze Lime Juice
Squeeze lime juice up to 24 hours in advance and store sealed in the fridge. Fresh lime juice at volume is time-consuming to prepare to order. Having it measured and ready allows rapid assembly of multiple cocktails without compromising on freshness or flavour quality.
Prepare Garnishes Ahead
Slice pineapple wedges and set maraschino cherries aside up to four hours in advance, storing in a covered container in the fridge. Having garnishes ready makes finishing each glass quick and professional, particularly important for a visually elaborate classic cocktail like the Singapore Sling.
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