Straits Sling

The Straits Sling predates its more famous, frutier Singaporean cousin. The Straits is drier, boozier, and has a strong cherry note from the kirschwasser. It has recently come into vogue, with two very famous bars, Dead Rabbit, and Smugglers Cove publishing their own twists on the once-forgotten classic.

This drink just works! It’s a balanced cocktail with a great mix of citrus, and fresh fruit flavors.

Kirschwasser, which is now increasingly available in the US is a terrific German cherry brandy. This isn’t your grandmother’s brandy… As an aside my great Aunt, who passed away about 10 years ago, never went to bed without having a glass of Cherry Kijafa, a fortified, super sweet Danish wine.

I’d also highly recommend checkout out the Smugglers Cove and Dead Rabbit sling variants. Unsurprisingly, the Dead Rabbit version is a pain in the ass to prepare, though a little less so than many of their other recipes… Fucking rhubarb soda…?

Ingredients

• 2 oz Gin
• .75 oz Lemon Juice
• .5 oz Dry Cherry Brandy (Kirschwasser)
• .5 oz Benedictine
• 2 dashes Orange Bitters
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Soda Water
• Cherry Garnish

Glass

Champagne Flute

Instructions

• Add all ingredients except the soda water into a shaker.
• Shake and strain.