Please note that nutrition information is an estimate and can vary based on the specific ingredients used, especially the sugar content of your chosen grapefruit soda. For the grapefruit soda, seek out one that is more “soda” than “juice.” Look for brands like Q Mixers, Fever-Tree, or Ting. The result was a simple, yet brilliant, combination of Finnish gin and grapefruit soda. This one simple switch is the difference between a forgettable mixed drink and an authentic Lonkero that tastes like a Finnish summer. Hartwall Original, also known as ‘Lonkero’ is a ready to drink gin, with refreshing grapefruit. The original mixed gin beverages were only sold at Alko due to higher alcohol content (5.5% alc/vol) and the fact that only Alko was allowed to sell non-fermented alcohol until 2018 when the alcohol legislation was changed.
Ringnes Solo – Orange Soft Drink 330ml
Described as ‘the national drink of Finland’, Lonkero translates to ‘long drink’ in Finnish. Inspired by Finland’s ‘eccentricity and the love of the outdoors’, Lonkero is offered at 5.5% ABV as a refreshing, pint-sized alternative to beer and cider. For the most authentic taste, you must use a quality London Dry Gin. They demanded it continue, and so Lonkero became a permanent fixture in Finnish culture, a symbol of hospitality, simplicity, and a relaxed summer mindset. The drink was designed to be temporary, just for the games, but the Finns fell in love with it.
- Forget those overly sweet canned versions.
- Fermented lonkero beverages are sold in ordinary grocery stores under various names like “gin lonkero” or “grapefruit lonkero”.
- The city was expecting a flood of visitors from around the world, and they needed a pre-mixed, easy-to-serve, refreshing drink to handle the crowds efficiently.
- Inspired by Finland’s ‘eccentricity and the love of the outdoors’, Lonkero is offered at 5.5% ABV as a refreshing, pint-sized alternative to beer and cider.
- With this method, you’ll create a drink so crisp and clean it will instantly become your go-to for warm days, backyard gatherings, or any time you need a genuinely refreshing escape.
- The drink was designed to be temporary, just for the games, but the Finns fell in love with it.
A Brief History: The Drink of the 1952 Olympics
Fermented lonkero beverages are sold in ordinary grocery stores under various names like "gin lonkero" or "grapefruit lonkero". In the Finnish state retail monopoly alcohol store Alko, since 2007 Hartwall Original Long Drink has been the most popular product sold by the store, outselling Koskenkorva, one of the oldest Finnish spirits. The same composition can be achieved by diluting a 10% cider into 5% with water and gin and grapefruit flavors, and the 5.5% product can be sold in grocery stores. England-based startup Lonkero Drinks has launched a Finland-inspired long drink made with gin, grapefruit and botanicals. You want the bitterness and effervescence of grapefruit, not the heavy sweetness of a soft drink.
Fazer Tyrkisk Peber Original – Salt Liquorice Sweets 120g
- Known for its clean, balanced taste and ready-to-drink convenience, it has become a staple across the Nordics.
- An authentic Lonkero should be crisp, dry, and refreshing with a distinct juniper bite from the gin balanced by the slightly bitter, citrusy notes of grapefruit soda.
- The result was a simple, yet brilliant, combination of Finnish gin and grapefruit soda.
- Before we start mixing, it’s worth knowing where this iconic drink comes from.
- For the grapefruit soda, seek out one that is more “soda” than “juice.” Look for brands like Q Mixers, Fever-Tree, or Ting.
Avoid overly floral or sweetened gins. They provide the necessary juniper-forward, botanical crispness that defines the drink. We’re not just mixing gin and soda; we’re crafting a perfectly balanced, invigorating cocktail that respects its heritage. It was crisp, subtly bitter, and unbelievably refreshing.
My Secrets to the Ultimate Finnish Long Drink
An authentic Lonkero should be crisp, dry, and refreshing with a distinct juniper bite from the gin balanced by the slightly bitter, citrusy notes of grapefruit soda. The key is using a crisp, dry grapefruit soda, not a sweet juice or a sugary soft drink. The host country introduced a fast-to-serve gin-based drink with grapefruit and soda water to keep the visitors entertained.
The 2000s saw the reintroduction of the brandy long drink, now manufactured by Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas. As a compromise following the Finnish prohibition (1919–1932), the country was living with a strict state-controlled alcohol policy. In Finland, lonkero is available in stores and lonkero casino bonus restaurants, where it can be on draught, bottle or can.
Until Finland joined the European Union in 1995, the production of long drink was strictly controlled by the government. These were the Gin Long Drink (gin with grapefruit) and the Brandy Long Drink (brandy with Pommac), then co-manufactured with Hartwall. Lonkero is available on the company’s website, with a six-pack retailing for £17.99 (US$23) and a 12-pack for £29.99 (US$39). Our team can’t wait to see the Lonkero word spread across the UK this summer.” “We spotted a gap in the market for consumers who seek a pint-sized, refreshing alternative to beer or cider.