A traveller’s taste of one of Sri Lanka’s most exclusive traditional drinks has captured viewers’ attention after Emily shared her experience trying Kitul Ra, an alcohol made from the sap of the Kithul tree, during a visit to one of the country’s most remote mountain towns. The clip, posted by @emily.parnell on Instagram, has now reached over 20 thousand viewers.

Kitul Ra is known for its extreme freshness requirement — it can only be consumed on the same day it’s collected and within the area of the tree itself, making it a drink that seldom leaves the mountain regions where it’s produced.

In the video, a local villager explains the traditional tapping and fermenting process, while Emily reacts to the drink’s sour‑sweet flavour, a profile that often surprises first‑time tasters. Her genuine response highlights the uniqueness of the experience and the deep cultural roots behind the drink.

Whilst visiting the most remote town in Sri Lanka I tried the famous Kitul Ra which is an alcohol made from the sap of the Kithul tree. This drink can only be consumed on the day it’s collected and within the area of the tree itself. The process is described by a local from that village and the video shows my reaction to trying the sour sweet drink