Singapore Sling

The Singapore Sling is one of the world's most famous hotel cocktails and a symbol of colonial-era Singapore. Created between 1899-1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, this elaborate gin cocktail combines gin, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, lime juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and Angostura bitters to create a complex, fruity, pink cocktail. The original recipe was lost and recreated, leading to countless variations. Served in a tall glass with tropical garnishes, the Singapore Sling represents colonial Singapore, grand hotel culture, and the golden age of elaborate cocktails. The drink embodies British colonial drinking, tropical sophistication, and Raffles Hotel's legendary status. The Singapore Sling's fruit juice, herbal liqueurs, and gin create a complex, approachable cocktail that's simultaneously sophisticated and tourist-friendly. Unfortunately, the drink often suffers from sweet, artificial versions, but proper recipes using quality ingredients reveal the original's complexity. The cocktail demands good ingredients: London Dry gin, Cherry Heering, Bénédictine, fresh juices, and proper balance. The drink represents Singapore's colonial past, grand hotel traditions, and the enduring appeal of tropical cocktails. Whether served at Raffles Hotel or a tiki bar, a proper Singapore Sling delivers tropical complexity.