The origin of the Singapore Sling cocktail reportedly has its roots at Raffles Singapore, where it was created by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon in 1915.
In colonial Singapore at the turn of the century, etiquette dictated that ladies not consume alcohol in public. Recognizing this niche in the market, Ngiam created a cocktail that resembled fruit juice. He purposely gave this gin-based cocktail feminine flair and cleverly led people into thinking it was a socially acceptable punch for the ladies.
There remains considerable debate regarding the original recipe for this classic cocktail. Today Raffles Singapore creates its signature drink with gin, Cherry Heering liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, Cointreau, Dom Benedictine, grenadine and Angostura bitters.
