SINGAPORE SLING WITH A KICK

Let`s use some navy strength gin..

Here`s an old favorite that i don´t mix very often but i think i should because this classic cocktail is an art of balance and flavor when done properly. And that`s the problem – this drink is as much a victim as the Mai Tai or the Hurricane when it comes to bars taking shortcuts and thus ruining and taking away the true character of an otherwise excellent cocktail.

And of course the Singapore sling has a very old history, first made in the Long Bar at Raffles by Ngiam Tong Boon somewhere between 1910 and 1915. but i won´t go into the history here since so much has been written already – and there`s very much contradictory information.

Now, the original recipe for this drink was lost sometimes during the middle of the 20th century and so a new recipe that was close to the original was made by Ngiam Tong Boon’s nephew during the 1970s. If you search in books you will discover the recipes varies both with ingredients and ratios.

The best source to read the history of this drink is Ted Haigh`s book “Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails”

I have chosen this time to mix it with a stronger gin than usual, Plymouth navy strength which gives this good old drink a kick. The navy strength is 57% abv (114 proof) and is more intense and rich tasting than the original Plymouth which i think is a good overall gin.

SINGAPORE SLING

3 ounces unsweetened pineapple juice
1.5  oz  Plymouth navy strength gin
1/4 oz fresh lime juice
1/2 oz Cherry brandy (like Cherry Marnier – or use Cherry Heering – cherry liqueur)
1/4 oz Bénédictine
1/4 oz Cointreau
Small splash of hibiscus grenadine
Dash of Angostura bitters
Wedge of pineapple and a maraschino cherry
Soda water to top

Shake the pineapple juice, gin, lime juice, Cherry brandy, Bénédictine, Cointreau, and bitters with ice; then strain into a highball glass. Top off with soda water and garnish with a pineapple wedge and a maraschino cherry on a toothpick.

This is one of those tropical cocktails that to me says “relax and sit back”. I was pondering making a twist of it but decided to let it be for this time, it`s good as it is – especially with a kick ass gin like Plymouth navy strength.