Gin Sling

The Gin Sling is a Cocktail which consists of Gin, Sugar, and Water.

Earliest Sling Reference (1759)

First recorded definition of a Sling, from Israel Acrelius' "History of New Sweden", published in 1759, as translated from Swedish into English:

"Long-sup or sling was one half water and one half rum with sugar in it to taste."

Historical References

"Maryland Journal", 21st May 1788

"Rum, Whiskey, Brandy, Gin, Stinkibus, Bitters, Toddy, Grog, Slings and fifty other liquors all come under the denomination of spirits".

"The Republican Compiler", Gettysburg, 23rd November 1825

"It is stated with unshaken confidence, and as the result of actual and repeated experience, that half a tumbler of gin sling, well covered with powdered nutmeg, proves a speedy and an efficacious stypic in that dangerous and alarming compliant, a bleeding of the lungs. It was the discovery of accident, but has never been known to fail, though often tried, even when all other known means have been resorted to in vain."

"The Mustee: Or, Love and Liberty", By Benjamin Franklin Presbury, 1859

"I took most a tumbler full o' water, with a leetle mite o' gin - not enough to hurt a muskeeter, as you may say."

"Was it what they call a gin sling, or a gin toddy, or a gin cocktail?"

Recipes

Recipe #1a & 1b: Jerry Thomas (1862)

135. Gin Toddy.

• 1 teaspoonful of sugar.
• 1/2 wine-glass of water. (probably 1 fluid-ounce)
• 1 do. gin. (1 full wine-glass, probably 2 fluid-ounces)
• 1 small lump of ice.

Stir with a spoon.

138. Gin Sling.

The gin sling is made with the same ingredients as the gin toddy, except you grate a little nutmeg on top.

Recipe #2: Cocktaildb.com

• Build
• 1 tsp sugar dissolved in water
• 2 oz gin
• Several ice cubes
• Add orange peel
• Serve in a rocks glass