We hope you can keep a secret, because this Singapore Sling recipe is so easy-yet-impressive that you will 100% want to keep the DIY mixologist kudos to yourself, friend. Well-balanced and delectably boozy, our recipe for a Singapore Sling yields a subtly sweet drink with herbal undertones and a fair bit of kick from several different liqueurs. Happy pouring and Yam Seng!
Singapore Sling Recipe
PREP TIME 5 min
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Combine the gin, liqueurs, pineapple juice, lime juice and bitters in a cocktail shaker with ice
02
2.
Shake until well-chilled and strain into a highball or Hurricane glass with fresh ice
03
3.
Top off with soda water, garnish (if preferred), and serve
The ABCs of the original Singapore Sling recipe
Ostensibly first poured in the early 1900s, the Singapore Sling recipe has quite the interesting backstory in that nobody actually knows exactly what’s supposed to go in it! The recipe we shared here has been chosen and perfected among The Mixer’s discerning foodie crowd, and we’re sticking to it.
However, there are plenty of other versions as well. One story goes that the original recipe went missing somewhere in the 1930s, and that was quite closely guarded even before then. Another will have us believe that it was the go-to drink of the folks at the Singapore cricket club (of all places) which was then ‘repurposed’ by the hospitality crowd.
Or perhaps an enchanted Hainanese commander dreamed it up to capture the attention of the lovely daughter of a wealthy silk merchant he encountered at the Raffles hotel… Whatever the case may be, the drink remains a tantalising mystery that’s as delightful to sip as it is to ponder.
What even are bitters, though? Bitters For Beginners
Similar cocktail recipes to try
If you love this Singapore Sling drink recipe, there are a few other cocktails we’d like to introduce you to. Please meet the sister drinks of the inimitable Singapore Sling…
Sloe Gin Fizz cocktail
The dazzling Sloe Gin Fizz is a breezy take on the classic Gin Fizz, which typically uses a not-sloe variety as its base. While most Gin Fizzes feature egg white for a silken mouthfeel, the sloe version skips this ingredient, which makes it suitable for cocktail newbies who may not be keen on the egg.
Bee’s Knees cocktail
A Bee’s Knees cocktail combines gin, lemon juice, and honey syrup, which is added to a cocktail shaker with ice, strained into a coupe glass, and garnished with a lemon twist. Style in a glass, this zingy drink is the very essence of the word ‘languid’.
Hanky Panky cocktail
With zesty orange flavors and herbal undertones, the Hanky Panky cocktail is one of the best winter gin cocktails. Given its strong taste, it’s best served before or after a meal on festive nights in.
More orange flair? 8 Orange Liqueur Cocktails That Zest the Best
When to shake up our best Singapore Sling recipe
The original Singapore Sling recipe was quite likely first devised to create a summery drink that appeals to the tastes of travelling holidaymakers. However, you don’t need to have your toes in the sand to enjoy this lovely drink. We also like to serve it at:
Birthday parties
Every birthday party needs a signature drink, and this easy sipper is always a crowd-pleaser of note. Pair it with spicy barbeque kebabs, steamed pork buns or spicy cashew nuts as an appetiser.
Quiz nights
The Q&A portion of quiz night doesn’t have to be only quizzical bit of the evening… Serve up our Singapore Sling cocktail recipe and use it as a jumping-off point to challenge your guests to a few questions about cocktails, liqueur, or even Southeast Asia!
Brunch
Whoever said that the Mimosa is the only cocktail you are allowed to serve at brunch? We double-dare you to up the ante and pour a few Singapore Slings the next time your brunch crowd comes around. It pairs wonderfully with everything from salmon omelettes to yogurt parfait.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A gin sling is a category of drink made with gin and water, sweetened and flavoured with lemon or lime juice. The Singapore Sling falls into this category, and, as such, the 'sling' refers to its cocktail heritage.
The refreshing Singapore Sling numbers among the world's favorite cocktails, and has made silver screen appearances in movies like Cocktail and Pirates of the Caribbean. It is also typically served on many airlines, and at luxury hotels.
