Singapore’s cocktail scene has gained international recognition for its sophistication and innovation, culminating this year in one of the city-state’s bars being named the best in the world. Yet, amid this modern mixology renaissance, the legacy of the Singapore Sling—a cocktail invented in the city more than a century ago—remains central to the local drinking culture and tourism.

The Singapore Sling was created in 1915 by Ngiam Tong Boon, a Hainanese bartender at the Raffles Hotel, which was a British colonial outpost at the time. The fruit-infused gin cocktail, traditionally made with cherry liqueur, pineapple juice, Cointreau, and gin, was reportedly designed to allow women to discreetly enjoy alcohol in public. Today, the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel, reportedly the Sling’s birthplace, draws tourists from around the globe who queue to order the cocktail and snack on peanuts, continuing the tradition of discarding shells on the floor despite strict anti-littering laws in Singapore.

Priced at more than 50 Singapore dollars (about $40 after tax), the Sling’s cost does not deter visitors. The Long Bar serves approximately 1,000 Slings daily, with nine out of ten customers ordering the cocktail. Many patrons are eager to hear the drink’s history, often shared by bartenders who recount its place in Singapore’s heritage.

The bar’s ambiance includes vintage features such as a spiral wooden staircase and handmade mechanical fans, adding to the atmosphere. One notable attraction is the Sling Shaker, a cast-iron, hand-cranked mixing machine installed in 2018 that can prepare up to 18 drinks simultaneously, although it is sometimes operated more for effect than function.

While some visitors see the Sling as an expensive souvenir, others value the overall experience. Kevin Appleby, a British visitor, described the high price as a “marketing ploy” but acknowledged that patrons are ultimately paying for the unique setting and history offered by the Raffles Hotel and the Long Bar.

The cocktail’s recipe has evolved over time, with a notable revision in 2018 to align with contemporary tastes, according to Jesmine Hall, Raffles Singapore’s director of commercial marketing. Despite criticism that the Sling is mainly a tourist attraction, Hall emphasized its enduring global appeal and its role in establishing Singapore’s reputable cocktail scene.

In the vicinity of the Long Bar, a cluster of acclaimed establishments—including Jigger & Pony, Nutmeg & Clove, Offtrack, Origin, and Fura—serve both traditional and reinvented versions of the Singapore Sling. Fura recently received international acclaim as the world’s best bar at a ceremony held in New Orleans.

Industry figures highlight the Sling’s significance as a rare example of a nationally named cocktail recognizable worldwide. Joash Conceicao, bar manager at Offtrack, notes that while the drink is more popular overseas than locally, it symbolizes Singapore’s classic cocktail heritage. Similarly, Colin Chia, founder of Nutmeg & Clove, sees the Sling’s global recognition as a unique point of pride for Singapore’s drinks culture.

Despite its occasional portrayal as a novelty, the Singapore Sling remains an important cultural touchstone, carrying Singapore’s name on the international stage. Derrick Lim, general manager of the private members’ wine club 67 Pall Mall, said the cocktail’s significance lies in its historical roots and its connection to a distinctive place in the city’s past.

With ongoing innovation in the city’s bar scene, the Singapore Sling continues to act as a foundational reference point, bridging Singapore’s colonial history with its vibrant present-day mixology culture.