Local flavours don’t just level up international creations; they own them!

Reinvention comes in all shapes and flavours - the only real limit is your imagination. But how do you know if you’ve actually reinvented something or turned it 360 degrees and slapped on a weirder name (Scandinavian scarf, I'm looking at you!)?

But when it comes to food or drinks, the taste is the ultimate truth-teller. The best reinventions swap in new ingredients but keep the soul of the original.

And that’s what sent us on a deliciously boozy scavenger hunt. Of course, this isn’t the full roll call of cocktails with a Lankan twist in Colombo — just the ones we tried (for round one, at least!).

Glasses up - let's dive in.

Jump to:

1. Blue Lotus at Ahasa, ITC Ratnadipa

2. Misty Mountain at Ahasa, ITC Ratnadipa

3. Yamulada at Headquarters by W15

4. Colonial Arrack at Headquarters by W15

5. San Augustin at Eskobar Colombo

6. Long Island Cartel Brew at Eskobar Colombo

Gin goes floral, tropical and a little cheeky.

This cocktail has a butterfly pea-infused gin, white tea cordial, mint, and an interesting pineapple soda foam. The bright pineapple hits first, softening into citrus, before a crisp and tropical finish. It’s sexy, sassy, and oh-so pretty.

A Sazerac with Sri Lankan spice and smokey drama.

Topped with cinnamon smoke and garnished with dried orange, this one doesn’t hide the alcohol; it celebrates it. Basically, this is your whiskey-loving uncle in cocktail form.

A pina colada that looks like a Sri Lankan sunset in a glass.

Pineapple juice, thambili water, coconut cream and pandan syrup (imagine pol toffee melted into a syrup — yum!) sit pretty under a layer of housemade purple yam-infused rum.

Hot tip: Snap a pic before you stir - the colours disappear fast. And fair warning - this cocktail drinks smooth, but the kick is real!

An old fashioned, but make it arrack

An old fashioned meets arrack, with a sweet jaggery twist. Imagined local arrack sweetened with jaggery and bitters, garnished with a house-made dark chocolate. The mixologist’s rule? Sip the cocktail, then nibble the chocolate. Rich, molasses-sweet, with a cosy warmth that lingers. This isn’t for chugging. Enjoy slow sips and watch the sunset over the Beira Lake.

Just like your long-distance Lankan-born cousin that has an accent

This isn’t your basic savoury martini. This cocktail has clarified tomato, apple concentrate, pickle juice, and Lankan kochchi bitters. What’s more? It comes garnished with a crunchy nacho chip and tomato caviar. It’s clean, sharp, and lingering — an absolute must for the martini lover.

When a Long Island crashes into an espresso martini.

Built straight in a tall glass with tequila, vanilla vodka, rum, gin, and triple sec, then laced with coffee syrup and cola foam. It’s garnished with exactly three coffee beans (for health, wealth and happiness) and a slice of lime. On paper, it shouldn't work, but in your glass? It’s dangerously good. Sip with caution.