Okay, well, maybe a little. But I do like to get things right.
The most famous drink in the world!
So you will recall, dear and faithful readers (ahem), that in my last post, I shared with you a recipe for that quintessentially perfect tropical libation, the Singapore Sling. And speaking of perfection, this recipe sure needs to be so let me tweak that ingredient list just a little for you now.
Here’s why. To double-check my earlier version, I decided to conduct a little more thorough Internet research. In so doing, I happened upon an interesting video on YouTube. Turns out, this is only one in a whole series of bartending how-to’s collectively called “New Orleans’ Best Cocktails” featuring bartender Chris McMillian and filmed in the Library Lounge (although I doubt much reading goes on there) of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New Orleans. (And what better authority on proper cocktail preparation than a New Orleans bartender, I ask you?)
Now, Mr. McMillian seems a rather interesting character, a fellow from the old school and not of the flashy young jigger-juggling bottle-twirling ilk so common these days. Rather, he takes a more academic approach to his demonstrations, providing a little historic background along with the correct preparation techniques for a selection of classic drinks from the past. Refreshing!
In fact, just for a second, I flashed upon another refined, albeit British, publican, with a setting not dissimilar either:
Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance
* * * * * * * * * *
“Good evening, Mr. Torrance,” Lloyd said, genuinely pleased. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to be back, Lloyd, ” he said gravely, and hooked his leg over a stool between a man in a sharp blue suit and a bleary-eyed woman in a black dress who was peering into the depths of a singapore sling.
“What will it be, Mr. Torrance?”
“Martini,” he said with great pleasure. … “One large martian, if you please,” he said. “They’ve landed somewhere in the world, Lloyd.”
Excerpt from Stephen King’s The Shining
* * * * * * * * * *
So here, at last, with a nod to Mr. McMillian (and a wink to Lloyd), is what I believe to be the definitive recipe for that “most famous drink in the world,” the ambrosial delight that is the classic Singapore Sling. And let me personally vouch—this version is not only authentic, it’s downright heavenly:
1-1/2 oz. Bombay Sapphire gin
1/2 oz. Cherry Heering (and not just any old cherry liqueur, mind you—looks like I’ll be headed to Houston)
1/4 oz. Cointreau® orange liqueur (the best triple sec there is, according to Chris)
1/2 oz. Benedictine herbal liqueur
1/2 oz. fresh lime juice (nope, Nellie & Joe’s won’t cut it, I’m afraid)
2 oz. pineapple juice
1 dash Angostura® bitters
2 dashes Rose’s grenadine
Top with club soda (stir slightly)
Garnish with pineapple wedge/maraschino cherry
And there you have it. Enjoy! (But careful—this is a rather potent potation, to say the least!)
For your further edification in the mixological arts, be sure to check out some of the other videos in the “New Orleans’ Best” series—they are actually very interesting, and enlightening. For example, have you ever heard of “simple syrup” (hint: you don’t pour it over your pancakes)? And were you aware that more than a few palliatives of choice have egg white as an ingredient? So much to learn, so short is life!
