Yields 1 cocktail

Created in 1915 by a Raffles Hotel bartender, the Singapore Sling was originally meant to be a woman's drink. Nowadays, no trip to Singapore, is complete without sipping this classic at Raffles's famous Long Bar.

Tom's Thai “Martinis”

1 whole ripe pineapple

1 bottle dark rum

1 bottle light rum

1 bottle coconut rum

3 stalks lemongrass, trimmed, cut into 3-inch lengths and tied in a bundle

  1. Remove the pineapple greens and then quarter the remaining fruit. Place the pineapple quarters and the lemongrass bundle in a container large enough to hold all of the liquor.
  2. Pour the rums over the fruit and stir to combine. Cover the container and let infuse for at least 1 week at room temperature.
  3. Remove the lemongrass bundle and discard.
  4. Remove the pineapple quarters and cut into slices for garnish.
  5. To serve, pour some of the rum into a martini shaker filled with ice; shake well. Pour into martini glasses and garnish with a pineapple slice.

illustration What Not to Eat

Lime leaves, lemongrass, and Siamese ginger are all great flavoring agents, but they are really difficult to chew. Don't eat them.