Authentic Singapore Sling Cocktail
The iconic Singapore Sling cocktail featuring gin, cherry brandy, and tropical flavors. This refreshing pink drink was created at Raffles Hotel in 1915.
By Janelle
Updated: March 18, 2026
Why I Love This Recipe
The Singapore Sling stands as one of the world's most famous cocktails, created in 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon at the iconic Raffles Hotel's Long Bar. This elegant pink cocktail was designed as a socially acceptable drink for ladies during the colonial era, cleverly disguising its gin base with fruity flavors and a beautiful rosy hue. The original recipe combines gin with cherry brandy, Cointreau, Benedictine, and fresh pineapple juice, creating a complex yet refreshing drink that perfectly captures the tropical essence of Singapore. While many variations exist worldwide, this authentic version stays true to the original Raffles Hotel recipe, delivering the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and botanical notes that made this cocktail a timeless classic.
- •Historic authenticity – Experience the exact same cocktail that has been served at Raffles Hotel for over a century
- •Perfect tropical balance – The combination of gin, fruit juices, and liqueurs creates a refreshing drink ideal for Singapore's climate
- •Beautiful presentation – The signature pink color and elegant garnish make it perfect for special occasions and entertaining
- •Complex flavor profile – Multiple spirits and liqueurs create layers of taste that evolve with each sip
- •Cultural significance – Enjoy a piece of Singapore's cocktail heritage and colonial history in every glass
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's what you'll need – nothing too fancy, just good ingredients that work together beautifully.
- 30 ml gin (preferably London Dry)
- 15 ml cherry brandy (Heering Cherry Brandy preferred)
- 7.5 ml Cointreau (or Triple Sec)
- 7.5 ml Benedictine (DOM Benedictine)
- 10 ml fresh lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 120 ml pineapple juice (fresh preferred)
- 10 ml grenadine (for color and sweetness)
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1 cup ice cubes (for shaking and serving)
- 1 piece pineapple wedge (for garnish)
- 1 piece maraschino cherry (for garnish)
Step-by-Step Instructions
- 1
Chill your cocktail shaker and hurricane glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before preparing the drink. This ensures the cocktail stays cold longer and prevents excessive dilution from melting ice.
~1 min
Tip: Use the freezer space efficiently by chilling multiple glasses if making several drinks - 2
Squeeze fresh lime juice and measure out the pineapple juice. Fresh juices make a significant difference in flavor compared to bottled alternatives. Strain the lime juice to remove any pulp or seeds.
~2 min
Tip: Roll the lime on the counter while pressing down to extract more juice - 3
Add the gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, and Benedictine to the chilled cocktail shaker. Pour these spirits first to create the flavor foundation of the Singapore Sling.
~1 min
Tip: Use a jigger for precise measurements to maintain the cocktail's balance - 4
Add the fresh lime juice and pineapple juice to the shaker with the spirits. The citrus provides acidity while the pineapple juice adds tropical sweetness and body to the cocktail.
~1 min
Tip: Pour juices slowly to prevent splashing - 5
Add the grenadine and one dash of Angostura bitters to the mixture. The grenadine provides the signature pink color and additional sweetness, while the bitters add complexity and balance.
~1 min
Tip: Add grenadine slowly as it's quite sweet and can overpower the drink - 6
Fill the shaker with ice cubes, leaving about 2cm of space at the top. The ice should be fresh and not too small to prevent over-dilution during shaking.
~1 min
Tip: Use larger ice cubes if available as they melt slower - 7
Secure the shaker lid tightly and shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds. The shaking should be firm and rhythmic to properly chill and mix all ingredients while creating the right amount of dilution.
~1 min
Tip: Hold the shaker with both hands and shake over your shoulder for better control - 8
Fill your chilled hurricane glass with fresh ice cubes. The hurricane glass's wide bowl allows for proper garnish presentation and provides adequate space for the full drink volume.
~1 min
Tip: Use a separate batch of ice for the glass to ensure maximum coldness - 9
Double strain the cocktail into the prepared glass using both the shaker's built-in strainer and a fine mesh strainer. This removes any ice chips and ensures a smooth, professional presentation.
~1 min
Tip: Pour steadily to maintain the cocktail's beautiful pink color distribution - 10
Garnish with a fresh pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry, securing them with a cocktail pick. The garnish should be positioned attractively and adds both visual appeal and complementary aromas.
~2 min
Tip: Cut the pineapple wedge fresh for the best appearance and aroma - 11
Serve immediately with a stirring straw or cocktail spoon. The Singapore Sling is best enjoyed fresh while properly chilled, allowing the drinker to appreciate all the complex flavors as they meld together.
~1 min
Tip: Provide a napkin as the glass may have condensation
How Do I Know It's Ready?
The perfect Singapore Sling should have a beautiful pink color throughout, be well-chilled with a slight foam on top from proper shaking, and maintain clarity without cloudiness when properly strained.
Frequently Asked Questions
The signature pink color comes primarily from the grenadine syrup and cherry brandy in the recipe. Grenadine is made from pomegranate juice and provides both sweetness and the rosy hue, while the cherry brandy adds depth to the color. The amount of grenadine determines how pink the final cocktail appears.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoy making this Authentic Singapore Sling Cocktail as much as I do! It's a wonderful dish that's sure to become a favorite in your kitchen. If you try this recipe, I'd love to hear how it turned out – feel free to share your experience and any variations you tried!