It all started in 1915 when Singapore was still a British Colony. Around this time, the British community used to gather at the Raffles Hotel and naturally, the Long Bar was the place to go for drinks. Back then, it was against British customs to consume alcohol if you were a lady. So whilst the gentlemen savored whisky, the ladies were confined to fruit juices or tea.
The Long Bar’s bartender, Ngiam Tong Boon, spotted a gap in the market and decided to create a drink that the ladies could also enjoy. The drink Ngiam created looked like a fruit juice as he camouflaged it pink to give it a feminine flair. He then infused it with gin and other clear liquors that led people to think that the drink was a socially acceptable beverage for the ladies. With that, the Singapore Sling was born.
Infographic by: www.raffles.com