Arrack types for gin and vodka drinkers

Vodka drinkers value neutrality and smoothness; gin drinkers value aromatic botanicals and crisp freshness. Both prefer light mixers such as tonic and soda over heavy colas.

Arrack in its aged forms leans the other way, towards wood and sweetness. But young and clear arracks keep fresh fruit and flowers, and everyday blends are largely neutral spirit.

Choosing these lighter types lets gin and vodka drinkers enjoy arrack on familiar terms.

Temperature matters to both palates. Gin and vodka are often served very cold, and light arracks also taste best chilled, poured over plenty of ice in a tall glass. Keeping the bottle of white or young arrack in the fridge at a villa is a simple trick that makes highballs crisper.

White or clear arrack, unaged or filtered, is the best match. It looks like gin or vodka, tastes fresh and fruity, and works in any highball or citrus drink.

With tonic and lime, it makes a fragrant alternative to gin and tonic. With soda and lime, a clean, refreshing drink close to a vodka soda but with more character.

White arrack is a small part of the market; look in larger licensed wine stores in Colombo, duty free and cocktail bars.

Clear arrack also behaves well in a martini-style drink for adventurous gin drinkers. Stir a measure of white arrack with a little dry vermouth over ice, strain into a chilled glass and add a twist of lime. The result is aromatic and fruity rather than piney, an interesting change for a gin lover.

Young coconut arrack, pale and lightly rested, offers floral and fruity aromas that gin drinkers often enjoy, much as they enjoy a citrus or floral gin. It works beautifully with tonic.

Try it with tonic, a slice of cucumber and a sprig of mint, or with soda and lime and a strip of lime peel.

Young coconut arrack is easier to find than white arrack and makes an excellent highball spirit.

Local botanicals make good garnishes. A strip of lime peel, a slice of ginger, a curry leaf or a few crushed cardamom pods turn an arrack and tonic into something that feels distinctly Sri Lankan. Gin drinkers who enjoy experimenting with garnishes at home will find plenty to play with here.

Everyday special and extra special arracks are mostly neutral spirit, which makes them the closest arrack equivalent to vodka. They are light, slightly sweet and easy with mixers.

With soda and lime or king coconut water, they make simple, refreshing long drinks. With cola, they are a basic party drink.

They are the cheapest option and authentically local, as most Sri Lankans drink them this way.

Arrack and tonic, with white or young coconut arrack, lime or cucumber, is the easiest switch for gin drinkers. Arrack soda with lime and a pinch of salt suits vodka soda fans.

An arrack collins, with lime, sugar and soda, or an arrack gimlet with lime cordial, are classic gin drinks that translate well.

Lankan Stays & Trails can arrange a sundowner at a beach villa where you can try a few arrack highballs side by side.

Cocktail bars in Colombo and the larger beach hotels often have an arrack highball or two on the menu, sometimes made with house-infused arrack. Ordering one is a low-risk way for a gin or vodka drinker to taste a well-made arrack drink before buying a bottle.

Once comfortable with light arrack, try a lightly rested old arrack with soda, then a five-year coconut arrack neat with water. The progression shows arrack's range.

Gin drinkers who enjoy aged or barrel-rested gins may take to aged arrack sooner than expected.

Buy all arrack from licensed shops, and keep tonic, soda and limes stocked for the villa.