What is special arrack?

Special arrack is a blended style. Most of the liquid is neutral spirit, distilled to high strength, usually from sugarcane molasses, and the rest is coconut arrack, which gives the blend its arrack character. Caramel is commonly added to give a consistent amber colour.

The style exists because pure coconut arrack is expensive. Blending in neutral spirit makes a drink that most Sri Lankans can afford, and special arrack has been the backbone of local drinking for decades, poured at family gatherings, weddings, parties and in neighbourhood bars.

The word special can confuse visitors, who expect it to mean premium. In Sri Lankan arrack it does not. It is simply a long-standing style name, and special arrack sits at the bottom of the coconut ladder rather than the top.

Special and extra special arrack are close relatives, both everyday blends sold at the lowest prices on the shelf. Extra special is the bigger seller and the default arrack in many bars, while special sits alongside it and, depending on the producer, may be a little lighter or simpler.

Differences between the two vary from house to house, and producers do not publish recipes. In practice, both behave the same way in a glass: light, slightly sweet and best with a mixer. Many drinkers simply choose the brand they grew up with.

Together these styles are nicknamed gal arrack in everyday speech. The nickname is affectionate rather than insulting, and asking for gal in a local bar is perfectly normal.

Special arrack tastes light, clean and a little sweet, with a soft coconut note in the background and a gentle warmth. Neat, it can seem thin and sugary next to a coconut arrack, because neutral spirit carries little flavour of its own.

With a mixer, it comes into its own. Soda and a squeeze of lime make a dry, refreshing long drink; cola makes a sweet party drink; ginger beer, especially the local style with a sharp bite, is the classic pairing and the best of the three.

The coconut character is subtle, so special arrack is not the bottle to judge Sri Lankan arrack by. Taste a pure coconut arrack too, and the contrast shows what the everyday styles are borrowing from.

Special arrack is usually bottled at roughly 33 to 34 per cent ABV, slightly lighter than many international spirits. That lighter strength, with sweet mixers and plenty of ice, makes it easy to drink in the heat.

Local pours are generous, and a quarter bottle of 180 ml shared between two or three people is a common order. Keep track of how much you are drinking, eat while you drink and keep water on the table.

Never swim after drinking, however tempting the evening sea looks. Most beach accidents involving visitors happen after a few drinks.

The best serve is a tall glass with plenty of ice, a measure of special arrack, local ginger beer to the top and a wedge of lime. Arrack and soda with lime is a drier alternative, and arrack with king coconut water makes a gentle, refreshing beach drink.

For a group, a jug of arrack, ginger beer, lime and ice is a simple, cheap way to share. Special arrack also works in punches, where its lightness lets fruit and spice show.

Lankan Stays & Trails guides can show you how locals drink everyday arrack, from a family-style table with short eats to a simple bar order, so you can enjoy it the Sri Lankan way.

Choose special arrack for long drinks, parties, beach evenings and any time you want to share a bottle without spending much. It is also the arrack to try if you want to understand what most Sri Lankans actually drink.

Choose something else for sipping neat, for a gift or for a cocktail where the spirit should stand out. A double distilled, old or pure coconut arrack costs a little more and gives much more flavour.

Buy special arrack only from licensed shops and bars. It is cheap enough that there is no reason to buy informal spirit, which can be dangerous.