Invented by Ngiam Tong Boon, a Hainanese-Chinese Barman while working at the Long Bar, Raffles Hotel, the exact year that Singapore Sling was invented remains a mystery. Hotel staff would tell you that it was prior to 1910, while other speculations state that it was in the period of 1913-1915.

A pretty scarlet concoction containing gin, cherry brandy, Bènèdictine, Cointreau, pineapple and lime juice, this cocktail was created with the idea of it both appealing to man but suitable for a woman at the same time.

The Singapore Sling quickly gained popularity with the then bar crowd and before long, it was nicknamed the ‘commander’ as more bar patrons showed a liking towards it. is known as Si-ling ( 司令 ) in Hainanese, and as that was the period of British Colony in Singapore the dialect name was picked up and transformed into the present Sling.

Apparently, the recipe was lost during the 1930s, and the modern day version (served at Long Bar) is based on old notes and the memories of former bartenders. The exact proportion of the ingredients are not known, but your best bet would be to get one at Long Bar for the most authentic tasting one.