YAMU’s Favorite Cocktails of 2018.

From petite sips to second rounds, the YAMU team have had their fair share of cocktails this year. We didn't mind whether they were shaken, stirred or served in a Chinese takeout container, we drank them all. Some of them were classics that simply never go out of style, a few were boring, while the rest managed to shine through as innovative, unusual drinks that any person with a love for good booze would enjoy. 
 
So here, we've listed out 8 cocktails that tantalized and whetted our palates throughout this year. 

Sex on the beach – Berlin Sky Lounge

Starting off with a classic, we found this glass of Sex on the Beach at one of Colombo's most popular rooftop pubs – Berlin Sky Lounge. Combined with Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Cassis, Orange Juice and Cranberry Juice, it was good as it can get. Hella refreshing and deliciously fruity, this one was strong and made for a fine summertime (which is almost every day in Colombo) staple.

Whisky Sour – The Irish

The Irish's menu doesn't boast Irish fare, but they do some excellent Fish and Chips and a bunch of good cocktails, including this Whisky Sour. Brilliantly concocted with all the right elements – bourbon, lemon juice, sugar syrup, a dash of egg white, and garnished with a cherry and an orange slice, we loved this drink. It was sour (obviously!), but weirdly delicious, and left a fruity note on the palate.

Pina Colada – Tusker Restaurant

Tusker Restaurant is all the way in Negombo, but their Pina Colada (right) is one of the best we've had this year. Veering off from the regualar piña colada recipe with coconut cream, Tusker Restaurant makes a great one with vanilla ice cream as well. Featuring a slice of fresh pineapple, a dash of white rum, and a swirl of creamy vanilla ice cream, this one was a bit on the sweeter side – but we didn't mind as it had a good boozy punch emerging through. It was light, refreshing as hell, and perfect for the sunny Lankan weather.

Boozy Achcharu – Ask For Fern

This is one of Sarah's findings. Ask For Fern has this whole speakeasy, blind tiger vibe going on, and this Boozy Achcharu is one of their inventions. Pineapple plays the starring role here, with a few notes of passion fruit, Ceylonese Arrack is infused into the whole drink giving you a nice little tingle and alcohol-y aftertaste. It's not the same chilli, salt and pickled fruit flavoured ecstasy that you'd exepect from an actual achcharu, but still, quite close.

Passion Fruit Daiquiri – Sugar Beach

With delicious food, brilliant cocktails, great service and the sheer beauty of Mount Lavinia beach, Sugar Beach provides some of the best beachside dining experiences we've ever come across. Their Daiquiri comes in many flavors, and passion fruit flavored one was our favorite. Involving the usual mix of rum and lime juice, along with freshly crushed passion fruit, this one carried a potent alcoholic kick, while the sweet and sour flavors of passion fruit and lime work itrs magic.

Strawberry Cocktail – Botanik

Botanik's Strawberry Cocktail is yet another drink that managed to impress us this year. It's a glass filled halfway through with Sauvignon Blanc, Rosso Vermouth, Peach (syrup, we presume), basil leaves, sliced strawberries and lots of ice. Tart and refreshing, it's a good drink. Plus, you get to dig around for the strawberry slices if you want a snack.

Mexican Squad – Park Street Trattoria

The ever so popular Park Street Trattoria has renwed their menu, along with a bunch of super innovative cocktails to induldge on.These cocktails very tiny servings, probably you'll see the bottom of the glass after a single sip, but boy, aren't they strong!

The one in the right introduces itself as Mexican Squad, to which Sarah refers as one of the greatest drinks she has ever had. It's a party of Corralejo tequila, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, Giffard pomegranate liquor, and Angostura bitters. They've made sure that each of these ingredients has its own layer, so you get a taste of every single ingredient.  The taste of pomegranate here was evident and overall; it was a wonderful, wonderful treat. 

1Sri1 – Ballie St Merchants

Baillie St Merchants is an exclusive new bar that opened this year that's rather secretive about its exact address and asks for a password at the door. If it's your first time, you have to make a reservation, and then, you'll be provided with the password so that you can walk in the next time. 
 
These guys make excellent cocktails and this right here is called 1Sri1, which packs a punch with Arrack, Port, Pineapple, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Cocoa and Orange Bitters. It left us wondering how one could put so many ingredients into such a tiny glass. Served on a wooden tray with lots of chocolate shavings, it was a delicious, and powerful.
 
So there you have it – 8 cocktails that left us drunk. Care to share about your favorite drink of the year? Let us know in the comments. 
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