So we made it to Singapore. And then had to rush around trying to see everything we wanted to see in only 24 hours.We checked into the hotel (which was a challenge - they wouldn't take debit cards, we didn't have any local currency on us and the ATM at the airport didn't work) and set out immediately for Raffles. Paul felt that a Singapore Sling at the Long Bar at Raffles was the appropriate thing. I felt that if it was so bloody appropriate he should drink one of the vile things.
How did such a putrid beverage achieve such fame? I could sort of understand if people treated drinking them as a challenge, like snake blood wine, but no such connotation of bravery attaches to the Singapore Sling.
I mean really - gin, cherry brandy, Cointreau, Benedictine, Grenadine, pineapple juice and angostura bitters. Are they serious? That isn't a cocktail, it's a martini-drinker's nightmare.And as it happens, I have a particular loathing of pineapple juice ever since a flight from Singapore to Frankfurt as a teenager. There was no drinking water on the plane, I'd eaten something dodgy and all they could give me was pineapple juice. And let me tell you, it tastes the same in both directions. Think of that, next time someone suggests a Singapore Sling.
However, by filling my mouth with the complimentary peanuts (shells dutifully thrown on the floor) I managed to get through the drink. And then Paul let me have a gin & tonic.
12 comments:
Our Singapore Sling is gin, cherry brandy & lemon juice. That's all. Not from Raffles, but very refreshing - to my surprise.
That sounds much better. It is the benedictine and pineapple juice that make it so horrible.
Is Raffles authentic or a pseudo version of its colonial glory?
Pseudo. The Long Bar is an 80s creation although they claim there was "always" a Long Bar. Most of the ground floor is taken up with designer stores - so it is a bit of a theme park. Beautiful though!
Singapore Slings are what we used to drink when we were underage in the US & would go to Canada
mm. i've enjoyed a number of singapore slings and find them so tasty :)
Thanks a lot for info. Singapore Sling will be a must if I go to there.
Kat - I just lost respect for Canada!
Heather - I wonder if they had the Benedictine in them
264 - stick to the good stuff!
Lol, felt the same way my first time. But I was young and foolish and felt the need to pretend.
Dee - I am glad someone agrees with me!
I used to travel to Singapore for work, a few times a year. I agree with you the Raffles Singapore Slings were highly overrated and terribly expensive when I was there. The best thing was the peanuts! ;-) But the chili crab was fab--though I have no idea what restaurants I ate it at.
Deb - good! Another one who understands!
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