6. First Singapore Sling

OK, I realise that this is not my first cocktail in Singapore but it’s my first ever Singapore Sling which is one of the tourist attractions from the area. It was invented in the 1920’s by a bloke called Ngiam Tong Boon when he worked in the Raffles Hotel as a bartender. They are exceptionally tasty and go down a bit to easy but at least there is Happy Hour so you can drink your fill for a bit less.

As per every guidebook on the planet we had these in the Long Bar in Raffles Hotel which was like taking a trip back in time 85 years. There was wicker everywhere and the fans in the ceiling were automated paddle shaped ones that wafted back and forth like a team of rowers. Actually they moved so slowly that there wasn’t really any cooling action generated by them but in the 20’s they must have looked ultra-modern.

The bartenders and waiters looked like something out of Bugsy Mallone which added a nice touch. However, the best thing was the sign on the wall that said “Littering Encouraged”. You see, they serve these wooden boxes of peanuts in their shells and everyone is expected to just chuck the shells on the ground. It puts a new meaning to the phrase “straw on the floor”. Of course I joined in, however, closing time must be a nightmare as not only is there loads of shells everywhere, but there are pigeons and sparrows all over the bar trying to eat the nutty left overs.