SINGAPORE SLING COCKTAIL RECIPE

WRITTEN BY: SCOTT VAN DORT

The Singapore Sling is a popular classic cocktail known for its extensive list of ingredients and eye-catching appearance. “It’s one of the most famous drinks on earth,” says Ricardo ‘Rico’ Dynan, Bartender and Absolut Global Brand Ambassador.

The Singapore Sling is ideal for sipping during warm summer days and long summer nights, but “It’s also perfect for when you want to be a bit bougie,” adds Rico.

Take a moment to gather all the ingredients, and we’ll be right here ready to guide you through making a classic Singapore Sling once you’re set!

How To Make a Singapore Sling

What You’ll Need

• Paring Knife (for the Pineapple and Lime)
• Citrus Press (or Citrus Elbow)
• Glass or Cup (for the Lime Juice)
• Centrifugal Juicer 
• Jigger or Measuring Instrument 
• Cocktail Shaker
• Hawthorne Strainer
• Highball Glass
• Cocktail Pick (for the garnish)

How to Mix

1. Cut a Fresh Lime in half and use a Citrus Elbow to press and extract Lime Juice into a Glass or Cup.
2. Cut a Fresh Pineapple into chunks, removing the crown, core and outer skin.
3. Save a Pineapple Wedge for garnish and place the rest of the Pineapple into a Centrifugal Juicer to produce Fresh Pineapple Juice.
4. Measure and pour Grenadine Juice into a Cocktail Shaker, followed by French Herbal Liqueur, Triple Sec, Cherry Liqueur, Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice, and finally, Gin.
5. Measure and pour in the Pineapple Juice.
6. Add a couple of dashes of Aromatic Bitters.
7. Add Ice Cubes to the Shaker and shake until chilled.
8. Place a Hawthorne Strainer over the Shaker and pour directly into a Highball Glass.
9. Add more Ice Cubes to your Highball Glass and top up with Soda Water.
10. Garnish by placing a Pineapple Wedge on the side of the Glass, then place one Fresh Cherry on a Cocktail Pick and push the Pick through the Pineapple Wedge.
11. Sip and enjoy!

What Is a Singapore Sling Cocktail?

The Singapore Sling is a classic cocktail that contains no less than four alcohol types – Gin, French Herbal Liqueur, Triple Sec and Cherry Liqueur. And that’s just the start of its ingredients and flavor profile. With its fruity flavors and lavish garnishes, it’s a drink that stands out from the rest.

What Does a Singapore Sling Cocktail Taste Like?

The Singapore Sling resembles a fruity punch but with a sophisticated twist, making it more refined, complex and layered in flavor.

“It’s fruity, delicious with lots of different flavors going on,” says Rico. There are sweet and tangy notes from the Cherry Liqueur and Pineapple Juice with a citrusy twist courtesy of the Lime Juice, underlined by the herbal notes from the Gin and French Herbal Liqueur. 

The History of The Singapore Sling

This iconic drink was believed to have been invented at a famous Singapore hotel somewhere between 1899 and 1915. Some sources, however, suggest that the drink actually emerged in the 1890s and only gained its hotel association in the 1920s.

In a time when it was socially unacceptable for women to drink alcohol in public, the bartender made a cocktail that looked like fruit juice and gave it a pink hue for a “feminine flair,” allowing women to enjoy it discreetly.

The drink’s history isn’t the only thing up for debate. The original recipe was lost during WWII and, as such, over the years, the lack of a definitive recipe left bartenders with the creative freedom to put their own spin on it. 

For example, by the 1980s, in places like the U.S., the Singapore Sling had often been reduced to just Gin, bottled sour mix, and Grenadine – a far cry from the original concoction enjoyed elsewhere under the same name.

The operators of the renowned Singapore hotel where the drink was invented claim the original recipe closely resembles the one that they use today. This recipe is printed on the hotel menus and is the one we feature here on this page.

Today, the Singapore Sling has cemented its status as a classic cocktail and can be found on cocktail menus worldwide, adored by cocktail enthusiasts everywhere. 

Tips for Making a Perfect Singapore Sling

• Fresh Pineapple Juice
  Rico recommends using Fresh Pineapple, not store-bought Pineapple Juice in carton. Why? Because fresh ingredients always taste better and will take your cocktail to higher heights.

  Trust us, with freshly squeezed or pressed juice, you’re going to get a more vibrant and fresher flavor compared to the processed juice found in cartons.

• Make your own grenadine
  Continuing with the theme of using fresh ingredients, using homemade grenadine is the best kind of grenadine. And it’s simple to make. Watch Rico show you how to make your own grenadine.
• Aerate your juice with a Centrifugal Juicer
  Aerating the juice, in this case the Pineapple Juice, will elevate your cocktail to mind-blowing levels. If you have access to a Centrifugal Juicer, the texture and difference it makes will astound you. You’ll achieve a frothy, almost milkshake-like creaminess.

  Don’t have a Centrifugal Juicer? Don’t worry! Rico shows other ways you can get more juice out of your fruits.

Variations of a Singapore Sling

The Swedish Sling
“Bartenders are going to hate me for saying it, but I kinda prefer it,” confesses Rico. Yes, this Vodka-based Singapore Sling variation follows the same recipe as the original but uses Absolut Grapefruit – one of Rico’s personal favorites – instead of Gin. Learn how to make The Swedish Sling.

Serving and Garnish Ideas for a Singapore Sling

We recommend serving a Singapore Sling in a Highball Glass filled with Ice Cubes and topped up with Soda Water.

To garnish your cocktail, place a Pineapple Wedge on the side of the glass, and with a Cherry Pick, push a Fresh Cherry through the Pineapple Wedge.