While most people have sipped on a gin and tonic or two, it's not often that someone comes up to the bar asking for a gin sling. Once a quite popular drink, this cocktail isn't as beloved as other Pre-Prohibition cocktails like the old fashioned are; yet, this unique gin drink has received a substantial modern upgrade that's helped it make its way throughout bars around the world.
Original Gin Sling
The original gin sling came to prominence during the 19th century and was a specific variation of the sling format. Sling drinks were historically defined as a mixture of a spirit, water, sugar, and nutmeg, and the Gin Sling had the most staying power out of all the other liquor sling varieties.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Splash water
- 2 ounces gin
- Ice
- Dash freshly grated nutmeg
- Lemon slice for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks glass, combine the sugar and water.
- Once the sugar has dissolved, add the gin.
- Add ice and dash of nutmeg.
- Stir the mixture together.
- Garnish with a lemon slice
Modern Gin Sling
When the gin sling reentered the cocktail market, it received a much-deserved remodel to better fit Post-Prohibition tastes. This modern recipe for a gin sling doesn't really resemble the classic recipe at all, adding such ingredients as bitters, vermouth, soda water, and lemon juice.
Ingredients
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
- 1 dash Angostura bitters
- 1½ ounces gin
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- Ice
- Soda water
- Lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice, simple syrup, bitters, gin, and sweet vermouth.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a collins glass filled with ice and top with soda water.
- Garnish with a few lemon slices.
Gin Sling Variations
You can help bring the gin sling into the 21st century by making you and your friends one of these modern takes on the classic cocktail.
Gin Sling Pitcher
Here's a quick way to multiply the modern gin sling recipe to serve about fifteen guests.
Ingredients
- 5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 7½ ounces simple syrup
- 7 dashes Angostura bitters
- 11 ounces gin
- 7 ounces sweet vermouth
- Ice
- Soda water
- Lemon slices
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the lemon juice and simple syrup.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a pitcher.
- Add the bitters, gin, and vermouth. Stir.
- Add ice and top with both soda water and lemon slices.
Hot Toddy Sling
If you're looking for something to enjoy on those cold winter nights, try out this hot toddy sling, which marries the gin sling with the classic hot toddy recipe for a deliciously chest-warming drink.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- 2 tablespoons honey
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Dash freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 ounces gin
- Lemon wheel for garnish
- Cinnamon stick for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, bring the water to a simmer.
- Once at a simmer, stir in the honey, lemon juice, nutmeg, and gin.
- Once the honey has completely dissipated, remove from heat.
- Pour the mixture into a mug and garnish with a lemon wheel and a cinnamon stick if you'd like.
Singapore Sling
The Singapore sling has far outstripped the gin sling in popularity, with its tart punchy taste.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce pineapple juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ¼ ounce Benedictine
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- ¼ ounce cherry liqueur
- 1 ounce gin
- Ice
- Club soda
- Orange slice for garnish
- Mint sprig for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the pineapple juice, lime juice, Benedictine, orange liqueur, cherry liqueur, and gin.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with club soda.
- Garnish with an orange slice and an optional mint sprig.
Lemon Sling
A perfect addition to your summer drink roster, this delightful lemon sling recipe is refreshing and sweet-tart.
Ingredients
- ¼ ounce honey simple syrup
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 ounces lemon gin
- Ice
- Dash freshly grated nutmeg
- Lemon seltzer
- Lemon slice for garnish
- Mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine the simple syrup, lemon juice, and gin.
- Add ice and shake until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with seltzer and garnish with a lemon slice and mint sprig.
Negroni Sling
Seasoned gin drinkers are quite familiar with the negroni, but they've probably never experienced it quite like this. The negroni sling takes the foundation for a negroni and adapts it into a sling-style cocktail.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 ounce Campari
- 1 ounce sweet vermouth
- 1 ounce gin
- Dash freshly grated nutmeg
- Splash water
- Ice
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, combine the sugar, Campari, sweet vermouth, gin, nutmeg, and water.
- Add ice and stir until chilled.
- Strain the mixture into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lemon twist.
Experiment With Your Recipes
One of the most exciting parts of making a new cocktail is getting comfortable experimenting with the recipe to create a new spin on the old classic. You don't have to be a trained mixologist to be able to add or substitute ingredients to create that drink you can't stop envisioning in your head. Here are a few tips and tricks for ways to experiment with this formula:
- Incorporate flavored gins into the mixture.
- Make flavored simple syrups to add sweetness.
- Don't be afraid of trying different liqueurs, like Chambord or amaretto.
- Throw a dash of spices to round out your basic mixtures.
Ways to Garnish a Gin Sling
Whether you like the classic or modern Gin Sling best, you can make any of them eye-popping by topping off your drinks with any one of these different garnishes:
- Edible flowers
- Salted/sugared rims
- Citrus twists
- Citrus zest
- Fruit slices
- Cocktail sword
Take a Swing at a Gin Sling
If you're tired of drinking the same gin cocktails every time you go out to dinner, ask the bartender to make you a gin sling instead. Pre-Prohibition cocktails are hotter than ever and it's time that you jumped on the bandwagon - your taste buds will thank you for it.
