Profile: The Serendib Cocktail

​​​​​Serendib is the Sanskrit name for Sri Lanka.  The name translates to the island home of lions.  The Serendib cocktail features coconut arrack, a distinctive Sri Lankan liquor.  Anthony Bourdain described arrack as "a marriage of bourbon and rum, but with a stronger, burning kick and a mysterious bouquet." 

Each drink of arrack tells a story of bravura, tradition, and artistry.  The liquor is made from the sap of unopened flowers of coconut palm trees.  To remove the sap (called toddy), brave toddy tappers climbing into the tree canopy.  This is a daunting climb as the tree canopies are usually 50 - 60 meters high.  

Once in the tree canopy, the toddy tappers cut a small hole in the coconut flower, tap the surrounding area with a mallet to promote the flow of sap, and collect the sap in clay bowls.  Moving on tightropes set between trees, they repeat the process and lower the clay pots to the ground.   Skilled technicians then distill the toddy and age the arrack in vats made of halmilla wood, a delicate process that has been called "a finely tuned art of labor and love."  To make Waterland's Serendib cocktail:

1. Muddle coconut arrack with passion fruit syrup, ginger, and mint leaves.  

2. Top with ginger beer.  

3. Serve over crushed ice.