Mr Lyan brings Sri Lankan flavours to cocktails
Co-created by Ryan ‘Mr Lyan’ Chetiyawardana, South Asian-inspired cocktail seasoning brand Three Families has teamed up with spirits distributor Mangrove Global to launch in the UK.
The new Sri Lanka-inspired range is a collaborative effort between Sri Lanka’s Rockland Distillery, Dilmah Tea, and mixologist-led hospitality brand Mr Lyan.
Produced in London, the Three Families cocktail seasonings were developed in response to increasing demand in the on-trade.
The seasonings allow consumers to enhance the flavour of gin and tonics, or they can be enjoyed as a low-alcohol alternative when mixed with other beverages.
Chetiyawardana said: “We noticed that tropical flavours weren’t getting meaningful attention in cocktails, and given the nature of tropical fruits, consistency is hard.
“Using different South Asian ingredients and various locations in Sri Lanka as inspiration, we crafted blends that will help bartenders and, in turn, will raise the profile of these delicious flavours across the world.”
The brand has partnered with Mangrove Global to launch the new product line.
Nick Gillett, managing director of Mangrove Global, commented: “There’s a real demand for Asian flavours across food and drink right now – perhaps thanks to the discerning tastes of well-travelled customers who want to revisit the cultures they experienced through eating and drinking. However, there are few products that make it easy to represent these flavours.
“The Three Families range provides just that – ‘cocktail seasonings’ that will undoubtedly become bartenders’ best friends while remaining accessible to customers for at-home mixing. The brand is a real stand-out addition to our portfolio.”
Five flavours
The collection includes five varieties infused with flavours inspired by Sri Lanka’s landscape and culture. The blends combine traditional bitters methods with fruit distillates and extracts.
Ceylon Sour is a citrus-driven flavour enhancer with calamansi, tamarind, and coriander seed. Verdant Sinhaya, on the other hand, combines preserved mandarin, wildflower honey, and lemongrass.
Pettah Market offers a bouquet of tropical fruits featuring rambutan, jasmine, and arrack, while Sunset Pekoe displays coastal influences with pekoe tea, turmeric, and toasted oak.
The fifth flavour, Amethyst Punch, features green tea, mangosteen, and peppercorn.
All Three Families offerings are sold in 200ml bottles at 40% ABV.
Amal de Silva Wijeyeratne, managing director of Rockland Distilleries, said: “For the past two decades, we’ve been bringing flavours of Sri Lanka to the world through our spirits such as Ceylon Arrack and Colombo Gin. As a family of distillers, it made sense to create a range of cocktail seasonings to showcase the flavours of Asia. I have known Ryan for years, and we have become good friends – a perfect partnership to create something fresh and unique.
“The missing piece of the partnership was discovered one morning as I sipped my morning brew. Upon realising that it’s an ideal base for absorbing flavour, I reached out to Sri Lankan company Dilmah Tea and Three Families was born.”
The new range is now available to the trade from Speciality Drinks, retailing for £28 (US$36) a bottle.
In February, Chetiyawardana launched his own food and drink travel TV series.
Last week, Mr Lyan was appointed to the board of newly planned Struie Distillery by The Thompson Brothers.
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