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Singapore Sling cocktail recipe 2026 – a complex, fruity highball from Raffles Hotel that’s a lesson in layered tropical drinks

The Singapore Sling. It’s one of those cocktails that feels like a proper colonial adventure in a tall glass – colourful, aromatic, and bursting with layers of flavour. Gin provides the backbone, cherry brandy adds rich fruitiness, Cointreau and Bénédictine bring herbal and orange depth, while pineapple, lime, grenadine and bitters tie everything together into a refreshing highball that’s far more sophisticated than it first appears.

In 2026, with the continued revival of classic tiki and hotel-bar icons alongside a preference for balanced, natural-ingredient drinks, the Singapore Sling is enjoying a lovely resurgence. Bartenders love it for teaching how to layer multiple liqueurs and juices without the drink becoming cloying. Home enthusiasts adore it because it delivers serious tropical wow factor when shaken well and served tall. Once you nail the balance and the gentle fizz from the soda top, you’ll understand why this drink has been a legend since the early 1900s.

What makes this version stand out from the recipes you’ll find elsewhere? We’re using the classic Raffles-inspired ratios with fresh lime and pineapple juice, a touch of Bénédictine for herbal complexity, and just enough grenadine for that signature pink hue without over-sweetening. It stays true to its Raffles Hotel roots while feeling bright and modern for 2026 palates. Give this a go tonight – I promise you’ll be hooked.

Singapore Sling cocktail recipe 2026 – Raffles Hotel layered classic Why the Singapore Sling is better than ever in 2026

The Singapore Sling was created around 1915 by bartender Ngiam Tong Boon at the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel, Singapore. It was originally designed as a socially acceptable drink for ladies in the colonial era – colourful, fruity and not too strong-looking, yet still packing a punch. Over the decades, it evolved, but the core remains a complex sling-style highball that layers gin with cherry, orange, herbal and tropical elements.

In your series, it sits perfectly after the authentic Mai Tai and before the White Russian, showing how a long, refreshing drink can still deliver serious depth through careful layering. Compared with the Mai Tai, the Singapore Sling is taller, fizzier and more fruit-forward while staying spirit-balanced. Compared with the Piña Colada, it is drier, more complex and far less creamy. In 2026, with the trend towards nostalgic yet lighter tropical cocktails and quality liqueurs, this Raffles classic feels fresher and more relevant than ever.

Ingredients (for one Singapore Sling)

45 ml good-quality London Dry gin – I recommend Tanqueray, Beefeater or Bombay Sapphire 15 ml Cherry Heering (or good cherry brandy) 7.5 ml Cointreau 7,5 ml Bénédictine 60 ml fresh pineapple juice 15 ml fresh lime juice 10 ml grenadine 2 dashes Angostura bitters Soda water, to top Pineapple slice, maraschino cherry and fresh mint sprig, to garnish Ice cubes for shaking, plus cubed or crushed ice for serving

Pro tip: Use fresh pineapple and lime juice – the difference in brightness is huge compared with bottled versions.

Step-by-step preparation Fill a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice cubes. Add the gin, Cherry Heering, Cointreau, Bénédictine, fresh pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, grenadine and Angostura bitters. Shake vigorously for 12–15 seconds until well chilled and properly aerated. Strain into a tall highball or Collins glass filled with fresh ice cubes. Top gently with soda water to create a light fizz. Garnish with a pineapple slice, a maraschino cherry and a fresh mint sprig (lightly slapped to release aroma).

The result is a beautiful layered pink drink that tastes as good as it looks – complex, tropical and dangerously drinkable.

Serving tips & glassware Serve your Singapore Sling in a tall highball or Collins glass over plenty of ice so it stays refreshing as you sip. The soda top adds lovely effervescence, lifting all the flavours. It is perfect for warm evenings, poolside gatherings or as a celebratory long drink. This drink pairs wonderfully with spicy Asian dishes, grilled seafood, satay, or light salads. The pineapple and lime cut through richness while the herbal notes complement savoury flavours. Glassware recommendation: highball or Collins glass. Nutritional info & abv (estimated per serving) Abv: approximately 14–16% (the soda and juices provide good dilution) Calories: around 210–240 kcal Naturally colourful thanks to real fruit and grenadine – lower in artificial additives than many bright cocktails

This fruity highball slips down easily in the sunshine – always drink responsibly.

5 delicious variations to try in 2026

Dry Singapore Sling – reduce the grenadine and pineapple juice slightly, and add extra lime for a less-sweet, more aperitif-style version. Gin-heavy Singapore Sling – increase the gin to 60 ml for a bolder botanical backbone that stands up to the tropical elements. Berry Singapore Sling – muddle a few fresh raspberries with the lime before shaking for extra fruit depth. Smoky Singapore Sling – add a dash of peated Scotch or use a smoky cherry liqueur for a modern 2026 twist. Sparkling Royale Singapore Sling – replace the soda water with Champagne or Prosecco for a luxurious celebration version.

Non-alcoholic variation (virgin Singapore Sling): Use 45 ml non-alcoholic gin (Ritual, Lyre’s or Tanqueray 0.0%), 15 ml alcohol-free cherry syrup, 7.5 ml orange syrup (in place of Cointreau), 7.5 ml spiced herbal syrup (in place of Bénédictine), 60 ml fresh pineapple juice, 15 ml fresh lime juice, 10 ml grenadine and 2 dashes alcohol-free bitters. Shake with ice, strain into a tall glass over ice, top with soda water, and garnish with pineapple, cherry and mint. It captures the complex tropical layers without the alcohol, sophisticated enough for any gathering.

Common mistakes to avoid Skipping the soda top – the light fizz is essential for that classic highball lift. Using too much grenadine – it can make the drink overly sweet and mask the herbal notes. Shaking too gently – you need vigorous aeration to integrate all the layers properly. Using canned pineapple juice instead of fresh results in a dramatic loss of brightness and acidity. Singapore Sling cocktail recipe 2026 – Raffles Hotel layered classic Faq – Singapore Sling cocktail questions answered

What is a Singapore Sling cocktail made of? Gin, cherry brandy (Cherry Heering), Cointreau, Bénédictine, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, bitters and soda water. It is the iconic fruity highball from Raffles Hotel.

Is the Singapore Sling shaken or stirred? Shaken! The juices and liqueurs need vigorous mixing for proper integration and chilling.

What’s the difference between the Raffles version and simpler recipes? The full Raffles-inspired version includes multiple liqueurs (Cointreau and Bénédictine) and pineapple juice for complexity, while some older recipes are just gin, cherry brandy, lemon and soda.

What gin is best for a Singapore Sling? A solid London Dry such as Tanqueray or Beefeater lets the botanicals shine through the tropical elements.

Is the Singapore Sling strong? It is around 14–16% abv once topped with soda – refreshing and sessionable rather than spirit-forward.

Can I batch Singapore Slings for a party? Yes – pre-mix all ingredients except the soda and ice, keep chilled, then shake or stir individual portions with ice and top with soda to order for the best fizz.

What food pairs well with a Singapore Sling? Spicy Asian cuisine, grilled seafood, satay or light salads. It also shines at tropical-themed parties.

Why is the Singapore Sling considered a lesson in layering? It combines gin, fruit, herbal liqueurs and bitters into one harmonious highball – each element adds depth without overpowering the others.

There you have it – the ultimate Singapore Sling cocktail recipe 2026, more balanced, authentic, and layered than anything else out there. It slots perfectly into your classic cocktail series right after the true tiki Mai Tai and before the creamy White Russian.

Recommendations: White Russian recipe 2026 – creamy nightcap Mai Tai cocktail recipe 2026 – true tiki rum classic Piña Colada recipe 2026 – tropical escape French 75 recipe 2026 – fizzy gin celebration Last Word recipe 2026 – herbal gin powerhouse

Share your Singapore Sling creations – did you stick to the classic Raffles ratios or try one of the variations? Photos are always welcome!