The legendary Raffles Singapore Sling

A lot of questions and rumors have made the rounds about the Singapore Sling since it emerged in the early 1900s, and around the world the drink became so popular that dozens of different recipes exist today.

But the wider consensus is that the O.G. Singapore Sling is the Raffles version created by Hainanese-Chinese bartender Ngiam Tong Boon at the hotel’s Long Bar, whose original recipe is said to be kept well hidden in the Raffles Hotel’s safe. Sweet, fruity and utterly delicious, this refreshing drink was perfect to combat those hot and humid South-East Asian evenings. It also had the advantage of looking just like fruit juice, allowing the bar’s chic feminine clientele to discreetly indulge in an alcoholic beverage without shocking the proper morals of the time.

Here are the ingredients as printed on the original Raffles Hotel menu and converted to ounces:

Main alcohol : Gin

Ingredients

Ice Cubes

30 ml / 1 1⁄2 oz Gin 

15 ml / 1⁄2 oz Cherry Brandy (today Cherry Heering is used) 

120 ml / 4 oz Pineapple Juice

15 ml / 1/2 oz Lime Juice

7.5 ml / 1/4 oz Cointreau

7.5 ml / 1/4 oz Dom Benedictine

10 ml 1/3 oz Grenadine

A Dash of Angostura Bitters

Garnish with a slice of Pineapple and Cherry

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour in an ice-filled Hurricane or highball glass. Garnish and serve.

Drinkware : Highball Glass

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