Nutmeg & Clove
Sometimes dubbed the country's national drink, talented bartenders have given this tipple creative spins to cater to the modern imbibers
While our buzzy bar scene offers everything from classic to experimental cocktails, one drink we can really be proud of is the Singapore Sling, which originated at the Raffles Hotel Singapore in 1915.
Dreamt up by Hainanese bartender Ngiam Tong Boon when it was socially unacceptable for women to drink in public, its pink hue (from the cherry liqueur) passed it off as a fruit juice and made it a runaway hit.
Fast forward to the present, we’re still enjoying this local invention—albeit with a few tweaks—at some of our favourite drinking dens. Here are five versions to try:
(Related: Singapore's Top 30 Bars)
1 / 5
Nutmeg & Clove
Showcasing Singapore’s colourful history through cocktails, the team has come up with an inspired take on this beverage named Slingin Lion. The basic ingredients are still there, namely Cointreau, cherry brandy, Benedictine herbal liqueur and bitters, but the pineapple flavour is infused in the gin then aged in an oak barrel for two weeks to get that delicious fruity finish with a slightly bitter aftertaste. Garnished with dried hibiscus.
2 / 5
Long Bar
What’s a Singapore Sling roundup without Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel Singapore. It still uses the same recipe of gin, cherry liqueur and pineapple juice, but using more premium ingredients.
The drink is concocted with Widges Gin packed with juniper, cardamom and sweet orange notes; Luxardo Cherry Sangue Morlacco made by one of the oldest independent producers in Italy; and organic bitters crafted exclusively for the hotel. It results in a well-rounded flavour tipple that quenches and satisfies.
Long Bar | 02-01 Raffles Arcade, Raffles Hotel Singapore, 328 North Bridge Road, S(188719) | 6412 1230
3 / 5
Adrift by David Myers
Another bold take on this timeless tipple is this version using Beefeater gin—a classic London dry gin with juniper-forward notes and a light citrus zest—as its base. It's mixed with Cherry Heering liqueur, used in the original Singapore Sling recipe; Dom Benedictine liqueur for herbaceous notes, orange-flavoured Cointreau and zesty pineapples for well-balanced fruity flavours. Topped with soda for extra fizziness.
(Related: What Makes David Myers A Conscious Chef)
4 / 5
Smoke & Mirrors
Featured on head bartender Jorge A. Conde’s Illusion of Flavours menu is the Robbery at The Museum, a playful take on the world-famous local drink. Other than the traditional mix of gin, Maraschino cherry liqueur and house-made cherry bitters, Conde layers it with sour cherry, local herbs and a splash of soda for the right amount of fizz. An ideal drink suitable for Singapore’s humid weather, with a gorgeous CBD view to boot.
5 / 5
Skai Bar
Bar manager Rusty Cerven has given this all-time favourite a contemporary update with his choice of ingredients. Named Solera Sling, the zesty Citadelle Original gin is mixed with Luxardo Sangue Morlacco Cherry, orange-flavoured Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, pomegranate syrup, Pineapple Tepache and lime. Topped with soda and garnished with candied pineapple and cherries for a complex and fruity taste—with a long finish.
(Related: 5 Reasons To Visit Skai)
Skai Bar | Swissôtel The Stamford, Level 70, 2 Stamford Road, S(178882) | 6338 8585
