Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Raffles Hotels and Resorts has always set itself apart by telling unique stories about its rich history and heritage. But when Raffles president Peter French approached Sipsmith co-founder Sam Galsworthy to discuss the creation of a custom gin that would commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Long Bar’s signature Singapore Sling cocktail, even he was not aware of the historical connection underlying the great story about to unfold. Unbeknownst to French, Galsworthy’s full first name is Stamford. He was named after his great-great-great uncle Sir Stamford Raffles—the founder of Singapore after whom the hotel is named. The result of this serendipitous partnership between the heritage hotel and the artisanal gin maker is Raffles 1915, an exclusive gin inspired by Sir Stamford’s interest in botany and made with botanicals found in the Malayan peninsular. Ingredients like sweet pine, lychee orange, jasmine, pomelo peel, lemongrass, makrut lime, nutmeg, and cardamom are distilled with some of Sipsmith’s classic botanicals like juniper, coriander seed, angelica, and orris root. What makes Sipsmith’s gin so special? Sipsmith is one of the only distilleries in the world that makes gin with a “one shot” method of distilling botanicals with the spirit instead of creating a gin concentrate. It was also the first traditional copper still distillery to open in London since 1820. The use of copper stills draws out impurities and leaves a clean, silky mouthfeel. The bright and zesty Raffles 1915 gin is a joy to sip straight or in a light gin fizz. But of course, gin also lends itself well to more elaborate cocktails, and this gin in particular was made especially for the Singapore Sling. While Sipsmith’s Raffles 1915 gin was crafted to celebrate the past, it’s also inspired new handcrafted drinks from the people behind Raffles hotels around the world. To celebrate the long-awaited arrival of Raffles 1915 at Raffles Makati, the Long Bar’s Filipino mixologists created five exclusive signature cocktails using the custom gin: Jasmine, Smith Julep, South East Temptation, Garden Sling, and Pearl of the Orient Sling The Smith Julep (gin, orange juice, lemon juice, homemade honey-black tea syrup) is a refreshingly citrusy and sour gin twist on the classic mint julep. The Smith Julep The bubblegum-flavored South East Temptation (gin, blue curacao, banana liqueur, calamansi, lemonade, Cointreau) is topped with homemade “temptation foam” made out of mango, banana, and apples. South East Temptation Filipino flavors come alive in the Pearl of the Orient Sling (gin, calamansi juice, pineapple juice, homemade mango, cinnamon syrup, Blue Curacao, angostura bitters, lemongrass essence, soda water) garnished with a chocolate pearl. Pearl of the Orient Sling The Garden Sling (gin, lemon mix, Cointreau, Benedictine, grapefruit juice, pineapple juice, zen garden bitters, mint leaves, rosemary, grapefruit peel) gives the classic sling a luxe update with the burned grapefruit peel and rosemary adding a smoky citrus flavor. The Garden Sling Sipsmith’s Raffles 1915 Gin is available exclusively at Long Bar, located at the Raffles Makati Hotel, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Ave., Makati City.