While our buzzy bar scene offers everything from classic to experimental cocktails, one drink we can really be proud of is the Singapore Sling, which originated at the Raffles Hotel Singapore in 1915.
Dreamt up by Hainanese bartender Ngiam Tong Boon when it was socially unacceptable for women to drink in public, its pink hue (from the cherry liqueur) passed it off as a fruit juice and made it a runaway hit. The classic version of the cocktail is a variation of the gin sling, comprising a medley of gin, cherry liqueur, Cointreau, Benedictine DOM, grenadine, Angostura bitters, lime juice, and pineapple juice.
Fast forward to the present, we’re still enjoying this local invention—albeit with a few tweaks—at some of our favourite drinking dens. Here are five versions to try:
1. Long Bar
What’s a Singapore Sling roundup without Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel Singapore. It still uses the same recipe of gin, cherry liqueur and pineapple juice, but using more premium ingredients.
The drink is concocted with Widges Gin packed with juniper, cardamom and sweet orange notes; Luxardo Cherry Sangue Morlacco made by one of the oldest independent producers in Italy; and organic bitters crafted exclusively for the hotel. It results in a well-rounded flavour tipple that quenches and satisfies.
Long Bar, 02-01 Raffles Arcade, Raffles Hotel Singapore, 328 North Bridge Road, S(188719), +65 6412 1230
2. Skai Bar
Another take on the timeless tipple is Skai Bar’s version using Hendrick’s gin–a Scottish gin with refreshing botanical notes—as its base. It’s mixed with Cherry Heering liqueur, similar to the traditional recipe; Cointreau and pineapples, for fruity and zesty flavours; and Dom Benedictine liqueur, which adds herbaceous notes to the drink. The concoction is topped with soda and garnished with candied pineapple and cherries.
Skai Bar, Swissôtel The Stamford, Level 70, 2 Stamford Road, S(178882), +65 6338 8585
3. Cé La Vi
Imbibe on the classic tipple while admiring the Singapore skyline at Cé La Vi. Here, its Singapore Sling is made with Tanqueray London Gin, offering notes of refreshing juniper, angelica, liquorice, and coriander. On top of the traditional mix of pineapple, Benedictine, cherry and pineapple, the cocktail is further elevated with splashes of orange liqueur and pomegranate, for an extra fruity kick.
1 Bayfront Avenue, Level 57, Marina Bay Sands Hotel Tower 3, S(018971)
4. Cin Cin
This gin bar pays homage to the Singaporean classic with its own interpretation, Majulah Singapura. Its version uses local Brass Lion Singapore Dry Gin as its base, which adds sweet yet earthy notes to the drink. The concoction is then layered with classic ingredients, including Peter Heering cherry brandy, Cointreau, Benedictine Dom, lime juice, pineapple juice, and Angostura bitters. It’s finished with a splash of soda, for extra fizz. Tastewise, its fruity and tropical, with a bitter-sweet finish.
Cin Cin, 100 Peck Seah Street, 01-02 Oasia Hotel Downtown, S(079333), +65 6385 2604
5. Lantern
The team at Lantern has reworked the classic cocktail, giving the iconic drink a unique twist. Look forward to three different interpretations of this drink: classic, sweet passion, and peach berry. The sweet Passion Sling highlights the cocktail’s tropical heritage with the addition of dragonfruit and passionfruit puree. While those with a sweet tooth can go for the peach berry sling, elevated with peach liqueur, raspberry, peach puree and cane syrup.
On top of Singapore Slings, the bar has also introduced the Sydney Sling, in celebration of the opening of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney. Inspired by the iconic Singapore cocktail, the Sydney Sling incorporates Australian spirits and flavours into the drink, replacing London Dry Gin with soft and refreshing Australian Dry Gin.
Lantern, 80 Collyer Quay, S(049326), +65 6877 8911
