Welcome international flair with every sip of this fruity cocktail that’s easy to make but delivers complex tropical flavors!
Ready to travel without a passport? Invite the world to your glass with a cocktail that’s celebrated everywhere, from Singapore’s bustling city streets to chic rooftop bars right here in the States.
This Singapore Sling recipe pairs perfectly with all your tropical vacation daydreams! It blends multicultural history with exotic flavors for a deliciously captivating experience.
This ruby-hued cocktail was invented at Raffles Hotel in Singapore, most likely in 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. It was initially developed to have a festive appearance that could pass as fruit punch, allowing women to enjoy it in public during an era when drinking alcohol was frowned upon for women. Over time, the drink’s recipe evolved, bringing in the complex flavors of grenadine, Cointreau, and Benedictine.
You can use Cointreau or whichever orange liqueur you prefer, like triple sec or Grand Marnier. But I’d stick with authentic Benedictine liqueur, as there’s no substitute for its flavor profile. The layered herbal, honeyed, and spicy notes it brings create a distinctive character in this cocktail, which would not taste the same without it.
Ingredient spotlight: Benedictine
Benedictine is a complex French herbal liqueur invented in the mid-19th century by Alexandre Le Grand. It features a secret blend of 27 herbs, spices, roots, and berries, creating distinctive aromas of spice, citrus, and honey, with rich herbal undertones and a silky mouthfeel. Although Le Grand wove a marketing story about monks inventing Benedictine—thus the name that references the monastic order founded by St. Benedict—the true recipe was his creation. Today, it’s produced in Fécamp, Normandy. In cocktails like the Singapore Sling, Benedictine adds depth, earthy sweetness, subtle spice, and a hint of citrus, rounding out the intricate layers in the drink.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover Singapore Sling cocktails in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 24 hours. After that timeframe, the flavors will degrade and the pineapple juice may separate. Stir or shake well before enjoying over fresh ice. This drink does not freeze well.
To prep ahead for a party, you can combine everything but the fruit juice—gin, cherry brandy, orange liqueur, Benedictine, grenadine, and bitters—in a well-sealed bottle or pitcher and refrigerate the mix for several hours. When you’re ready to serve, portion the mixture into a cocktail shaker and add fresh pineapple and lime juice. Then just shake, pour over fresh ice, and garnish.
Serving suggestions
Serve Singapore Slings alongside Asian-inspired dishes that complement the drink’s citrusy and sweet-and-sour notes. Ideal pairings could include Shrimp Spring Rolls, Thai Basil Chicken, Spicy Wontons In Chili Oil, and Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce cherry brandy
- 1/4 ounce orange liqueur such as Cointreau
- 1/4 ounce Benedictine
- 4 ounces pineapple juice
- 1/2 ounce lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1/3 ounce grenadine
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- Pineapple slice and cocktail cherry optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the gin, cherry brandy, orange liqueur, Benedictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and bitters to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Cover and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds, until well chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a tall glass, such as a highball or hurricane glass, filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Garnish with pineapple slice and cocktail cherry, if desired. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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