Classic Fruit-Forward Singapore Sling Cocktail

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Deeply layered: Gin, cherry, citrus, herbs, bitters, and tropical fruit create remarkable complexity.
• Balanced rather than syrupy: Fresh lime and club soda keep the sweet fruit flavors bright and refreshing.
• Beautiful presentation: The cocktail has a rosy coral color, a light pineapple foam, and an elegant tropical garnish.
• Easy to make at home: All the flavor comes together with one shaker, one glass, and a quick sparkling finish.

Grocery List

• Produce: 1 lime, 1 small fresh pineapple or 1 prepared pineapple wedge
• Dairy: None
• Wine & Spirits: Dry gin, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine herbal liqueur, orange liqueur, Angostura aromatic bitters
• Pantry: Unsweetened pineapple juice, grenadine, cocktail cherries
• Mixers: Club soda
• Frozen: About 2 cups ice cubes

Full Ingredients

For the Cocktail

• 1 1/2 ounces (45 milliliters) dry gin, preferably a crisp London dry gin
• 1/2 ounce (15 milliliters) cherry liqueur, preferably Cherry Heering
• 1/4 ounce (7.5 milliliters) Bénédictine herbal liqueur
• 1/4 ounce (7.5 milliliters) orange liqueur, preferably Cointreau
• 2 ounces (60 milliliters) unsweetened pineapple juice, chilled to approximately 38°F or 3°C
• 3/4 ounce (22 milliliters) freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/4 ounce (7.5 milliliters) grenadine
• 1 dash Angostura aromatic bitters, about 1/8 teaspoon or 0.6 milliliter
• 1 1/2 ounces (45 milliliters) club soda, chilled to approximately 38°F or 3°C
• 2 cups ice cubes, divided between shaking and serving

For the Garnish

• 1 fresh pineapple wedge, about 2 inches long
• 1 cocktail cherry, preferably a dark brandied cherry

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Chill the glass and soda

Place a tall 12- to 14-ounce Collins, highball, or hurricane glass in a 0°F freezer for 10 minutes. Keep the club soda refrigerated at approximately 38°F or 3°C until the moment you need it. Cold glassware and cold soda slow dilution and help the finished cocktail stay lively and sparkling.

Step 2: Prepare the garnish

Cut one 2-inch wedge from the pineapple and make a small slit in the rind so it can rest securely on the rim of the glass. Place the pineapple wedge and cocktail cherry on a small pick if desired. Set the garnish aside while you mix the drink.

Step 3: Build the cocktail in the shaker

Pour the gin, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, orange liqueur, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, grenadine, and Angostura bitters into a cocktail shaker. Measure carefully: these strongly flavored ingredients are used in small amounts, so even an extra splash can change the balance.

Step 4: Shake until cold and frothy

Add 1 cup of ice cubes to the shaker. Seal it tightly and shake vigorously for exactly 12 seconds. The pineapple juice should develop a delicate foam while the cocktail becomes thoroughly chilled. Avoid shaking much longer, which can over-dilute the drink.

Step 5: Strain over fresh ice

Remove the glass from the freezer and fill it with the remaining 1 cup of fresh ice. Fine-strain the shaken cocktail into the glass to catch small ice chips and create a smoother texture. Leave about 1 inch of room at the top for the sparkling finish.

Step 6: Add the sparkling finish

Slowly pour 1 1/2 ounces of chilled club soda down the inside of the glass. Insert a bar spoon to the bottom and gently lift the drink once to combine the layers without flattening the carbonation or disturbing the light pineapple foam.

Step 7: Garnish and serve

Set the pineapple wedge on the rim and add the cocktail cherry. Serve immediately with a straw or cocktail stirrer. The first sip should be bright and sparkling, followed by cherry, pineapple, citrus, warm herbs, and a lightly bitter finish.

Pro Tips

• Use unsweetened pineapple juice: Sweetened juice or pineapple nectar can make the drink heavy and mask the gin and herbal liqueur.
• Squeeze the lime just before mixing: Fresh lime provides the clean acidity needed to balance the liqueurs and grenadine.
• Choose a full-flavored gin: A London dry style has enough juniper and citrus character to remain noticeable beneath the fruit.
• Use fresh ice for serving: Shaking ice is already wet and partially melted, so transferring it to the glass would dilute the cocktail too quickly.
• Add soda last: Never shake carbonated ingredients in a sealed cocktail shaker. The pressure can force the shaker open and create a mess.

Variations

• Raffles-inspired pineapple-forward version: Increase the pineapple juice to 4 ounces and reduce the club soda to 1/2 ounce for a taller, sweeter, more tropical drink.
• Drier Singapore Sling: Reduce the grenadine to 1 teaspoon and increase the club soda to 2 ounces. The gin, herbs, and bitters will become more prominent.
• Zero-proof tropical sling: Replace the gin with 1 1/2 ounces nonalcoholic botanical spirit, replace the cherry liqueur with 1/2 ounce tart cherry juice, and replace the Bénédictine and orange liqueur with 1/2 ounce chilled black tea plus 1/4 teaspoon orange blossom water.

Storage & Make-Ahead

For the freshest flavor, make and serve the Singapore Sling immediately. To prepare ahead, combine the gin, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, orange liqueur, pineapple juice, lime juice, grenadine, and bitters in a sealed jar and refrigerate at 40°F or below for up to 8 hours. Shake the mixture with ice only when ready to serve, then add the club soda after straining. Do not store the completed cocktail because the soda will lose its carbonation and the ice will continue to dilute the drink.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 260 kcal | Carbs: 28g | Protein: 0g | Fat: 0g | Saturated Fat: 0g | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 23g | Sodium: 8mg | Cholesterol: 0mg