Fist of Kitchen presents… Eat it: China!

• 1 oz. B&B
• 1 oz. Dr. McGillicuddy’s cherry brandy
• 1 oz. fresh lime juice
• 2 oz. gin
• 1½ oz. club soda
• orange slice & cherry for garnish

preparation

Shake everything but the club soda with ice. Pour into tall glass, top with club soda, and garnish.

There are about as many “official” Singapore Sling recipes as there are ways to make a “real” martini. While the variations have as few as four components and as many as eight, the common theme is gin, cherry brandy, and citrus. The current I.B.A. standard is one of the fussy ones, and, as written, would set you back about $115 bucks if you’re starting with an empty liquor cabinet. For that, you might consider saving up your pennies to try the “original” Singapore Sling at the Long Bar in the Raffles Hotel. (Not really! That would be $2120 for airfare, one night, one drink, and no food.)

Longer recipes include pineapple juice, anywhere from 2-4 ounces. If you like pineapple, go for it…but only if you have fresh fruit to squeeze. Canned or concentrate juice adds a nasty pre-made flavor. Our version is based on Beach Bum Berry’s. By switching the Cherry Herring to the good Doctor’s, and by using B&B instead of the equally-ratioed brandy and Bénédictine called for, we’ve reduced the shopping list and saved about $40. (Though being Wisconsinites, there’s usually brandy on hand.) This is still super-refreshing—and mighty strong, too. Stop at one!