Sleighbell Sling

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Cocktail History

The Sleighbell Sling is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Emma Stokes and was first published in her book Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail: 80 Cheerful Tipples to Warm Up Winter. Meant to put a holiday-inspired spin on the iconic Singapore Sling, the recipe keeps the essence of the original by combining gin, fresh citrus, cherry liqueur, Bénédictine, pomegranate syrup, and soda water for a fizzy, refreshing base. However, it swaps out the traditional pineapple juice for cranberry juice, giving it a tangy, tart flavor and a vibrant red hue that feels distinctly festive. The result is a drink that’s both familiar and seasonal, great for those looking to elevate their holiday celebrations with a touch of classic cocktail elegance and a twist of Christmas cheer.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Soda Water: This is a type of water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. I used Topo Chico Sparkling Mineral Water.

Gin: This is a spirit made with juniper berries, botanicals, and alcohol. I used Broker’s Premium London Dry Gin. 

Cranberry Juice: This is a tart, bright red juice made with cranberries. I used Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice.

Lemon Juice: This is the tart, acidic liquid extracted from lemons. I used fresh lemon juice.

Heering Cherry Liqueur: This is a liqueur made in Denmark with Stevens cherries, baking spices, almonds, sugar, alcohol, and water.

Triple Sec: This is a liqueur made with bitter oranges, lemons, sugar, alcohol, and water. I used Cointreau.

Bénédictine: This is a liqueur made in France with twenty-seven herbs and spices, sugar, alcohol, and water.

Grenadine: This is a sweetener made with pomegranate juice and white sugar. I used this stovetop recipe.

Cherry, Clove, & Cinnamon Bitters: This is a food product made with cherry, cloves, cinnamon, botanicals, herbs, and alcohol. I used Crude Bitters & Sodas “Attawanhood” Cherry, Clove, & Cinnamon Bitters.

Cranberries: This is a small red berry native to North America that’s known for its vibrant color and slightly bitter flavor.

Sage Leaves: These are aromatic, silvery-green leaves from the sage plant with an earthy, slightly peppery flavor.

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.

Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker consisting of a metal tin and a glass or metal mixing glass that’s used for shaking and blending ingredients. I used the Boston shaker from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a metal strainer with a spring around its edge that’s used to filter out ice and solids when pouring the cocktail into a glass. I used the A Bar Above Hawthorne Strainer.

Paring Knife: This is a small, sharp kitchen knife with a narrow blade that’s used for peeling, trimming, and garnishing. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.

Juicer: This is a handheld tool that’s used to extract juice from fruits by pressing or twisting it against a reamer or cone. I used the Black+Decker 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer.

Cocktail Pick: This is a small, slender tool that’s used to skewer cocktail garnishes. I used one from the I-MART Gold Stainless Steel Cocktail Pick Set.

Hurricane Glass: This is a curved, bulbous glass with a stem that’s used to serve tropical cocktails made in larger portions. I used a thrifted hurricane glass.

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Bright pink-ish red hue with an ombré effect

• Aroma: Peppery sage, cranberry, and citrus

• Taste: A tart cranberry-forward taste that evolves into lemon-accented herbal fin

• Finish: Strong herbal Bénédictine and cherry notes

Kendall’s Take
“Inspired by the classic Singapore Sling but all dressed up for the holidays, this version keeps the spirit of the original while bringing in some seasonal flair. The cranberry plays beautifully with the other ingredients, adding a tart brightness that feels right at home in December. I’d call the Sleighbell Sling a refreshing, fruit-forward Christmas cocktail that still feels structured and balanced—especially for anyone who already appreciates a good Sling.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the book Have Yourself a Merry Little Cocktail: 80 Cheerful Tipples to Warm Up Winter by Emma Stokes.