It was our second night in Singapore when my American friend and I decided to go to Raffles Hotel to have a sip of the famous Singapore Sling. It is a gin-based cocktail developed in 1915 by a Hainanese bartender named Ngiam Tong Boon at the Long Bar located inside the 5-star luxury Raffles Hotel. Widely regarded as the national drink of Singapore, the Singapore Sling was celebrating its 100th year in 2015. Raffles Hotel itself was already 128 years old, being built in 1887.

The Long Bar is a two-storey bar located at the second floor of the hotel. The interiors are inspired by the 1920’s Malayan plantation life. In contrast to strict rules of Singapore, littering is encouraged inside the bar as proven by the peanut shells scattered on the floor.

When we arrived at the bar, there was a band playing some jazz-y numbers. I guess their main vocalist is a Filipina, and most of the band players (who also sing) are Japanese as they sang Japanese songs dedicated to the Japanese guests of the bar at that night.

And of course, we did what we were supposed to do there- to have a taste of the world famous pink cocktail. It is pricey costing a shocking $27. But that was our first Singapore Sling at the place where it was invented, so I guess it’s ok. Anyway, it was fun to enjoy the Singapore Sling on its 100th year.