Sling
StyleA sling is an old cocktail of spirit, sugar and water, usually served over ice with grated nutmeg.
- Jerry Thomas-style gin sling
- 2 oz (60 ml) gin, 1 oz (30 ml) water, 1 bar spoon sugar, grated nutmeg
- Earliest description
- 1759: half rum, half water, with sugar
- Formula
- 2 oz (60 ml) spirit, 1 bar spoon sugar, 1 oz (30 ml) water, ice, grated nutmeg
What sling means
A sling is older than the famous Singapore Sling by more than a century. Its earliest description, from 1759, is half rum, half water and sugar. A gin sling, in the style of Jerry Thomas's 1862 book, is a good first recipe to learn.
The word in front of sling often names the spirit, as in Gin Sling or Brandy Sling. You will also see Straits Sling and Singapore Sling on menus. Look at the recipe to see whether the drink is a short, cold glass or a long one with lemon juice and soda water.
A common belief is that the Singapore Sling defines the style. It does not. The sling is a drink of spirit, sugar and water, while the Singapore Sling, served at Raffles Hotel from 1899 to 1915, sits closer to a punch. It is the best-known sling by far.
How to make a sling
Dissolve the sugar in the water first, then build the drink over ice and finish with nutmeg.
- 1.Stir 1 bar spoon of sugar into 1 oz (30 ml) water in a rocks glass until it dissolves.
- 2.Add 2 or 3 ice cubes and 2 oz (60 ml) gin, ideally genever, then stir.
- 3.Grate nutmeg over the top of the drink.
- 4.For a long, modern sling, add lemon juice and top with soda water in a tall glass.
Sling compared
- ToddyA toddy shares spirit, sugar and water with the sling, but it is most often served hot.
- CocktailAdd bitters to a sling and you have the first cocktail. An 1806 definition called it a 'bittered sling'.
- CollinsA Collins adds lemon juice and soda water, which is closer to the modern Singapore Sling than the old sling is.
Examples
- Singapore Sling
- Gin Sling
- Straits Sling
- Brandy Sling
Related terms
Ingredients
Put it to use in your next drink
Garçon explains every step as you make the drink.