When making your own light version buy grapefruit soda that is sugar-free. When you order a long drink in Finland it is not decorated. Lonkero is served as a 330 ml or 500 ml drink with lots of ice. You can decorate your glass with a slice of lemon, grapefruit, orange, or lime.
- Lonkero, also known as the Finnish Long Drink, has gained popularity as a refreshing and distinctive alcoholic beverage.
- These are drinks which are served in a tall glass and are usually spirits such as vodka and gin mixed with soft drinks, usually grapefruit soda.
- The most popular place to buy it it’s on big ferries, where it is cheaper.
- The gin does affect the taste of this drink, and also the amount of gin you use.
- To meet the increased demand for refreshing drinks, the Finnish government decided to create a ready-to-drink cocktail that combined gin with citrus flavors.
- A le Coq is also one of the Finnish people’s favorites.
- The story of Lonkero dates back to the summer of 1952 when Finland hosted the Summer Olympic Games in Helsinki.
What is in a Finnish Long drink?
The drink’s popularity also extends beyond Finland, as it has gained attention in international markets. Its simplicity, combined with its distinct flavor, has led to increased interest from consumers around the world. Many zero version long drinks have 0 carbs so they are ok to drink even if you are dieting or are on keto.
- All of these beverages fall under the category of “low-calorie” as well, so if you’re keeping an eye on your waistline, Lonkero fits the bill.
- When seeking Lonkero or Lonkero-inspired beverages in the U.S., it’s advisable to check local liquor stores, specialty beverage shops, or online retailers that carry a diverse range of alcoholic beverages.
- We’re fans of this Finnish Long Drink with cranberry juice for extra tartness.
- Lonkero’s rise in popularity has had a significant impact on the beverage industry in Finland.
- In Finland, the legal drinking age is 18, and consuming alcohol is a common social activity among adults.
- A simple style of long drink is the highball, a cocktail composed of one liquor and one mixer (excluding garnish or ice).
It is a crisp & zingy drink combining gin, grapefruit, soda, lime, pine & botanicals. We’re fans of this Finnish Long Drink with cranberry juice for extra tartness. Long drink light version is sweetened with lonkero aspartame, acesulfame, or stevia. Light or zero version has fever calories, 33 in 100 ml, (3,4oz).
Hartwall Original Long Drink Brandy Black Label 7,5% 33cl x 24 tölkkiä
The most popular place to buy it it’s on big ferries, where it is cheaper. A le Coq is also one of the Finnish people’s favorites. If you try this drink for the first time n Finland go with the original one that is Hartwall. You can get very different flavor profiles with different types of gin. Did you know this drink dates back to the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki? Finland once had prohibition which was relaxed in 1932 with the creation of state company called Alko, where you could buy alcohol.
Lonkero: A Brief History
I want to share Scandinavian and Nordic recipes for you who want to connect with your Nordic heritage and learn to make delicious, simple Scandinavian food and learn about the food culture. In the US you can buy Finnish lonkero equivalent at finnishspirits.com. In Finland, you can buy lonkero in all supermarkets and Alko.
Popular
We love Bombay sapphire and Beefeater for the long drink. The one in the picture is something cheap we bought in Tallinn. The gin does affect the taste of this drink, and also the amount of gin you use.
A long drink will have a tall glass full of mixer, in contrast to a short drink, or shooter, which has less mixer, or none. Short drinks are generally stronger since both types tend to contain the same amount of alcohol. Lonkero is a sweet drink that has a taste of gin and grapefruit. The citrus tones are though not bitter but sweet since the drink has quite high sugar content. These are just a few examples of the top brands of Lonkero available in Finland. It’s worth noting that craft breweries and smaller producers are also contributing to the Lonkero market, offering their own interpretations and adding to the diversity of flavors and options available to consumers.
Lonkero, the Finnish Long Drink, has become an emblem of Finnish drinking culture, capturing the essence of Finnish traditions and innovation. With its refreshing, crisp taste, simple recipe, and historical significance, Lonkero has gained popularity both domestically and internationally. As a symbol of Finnish identity, it continues to thrive, inspiring new variations and contributing to the ever-evolving beverage industry. Also known as a Lonkero, this popular Finnish highball originated at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics and has recently gained popularity in the U.S.
To meet the increased demand for refreshing drinks, the Finnish government decided to create a ready-to-drink cocktail that combined gin with citrus flavors. The aim was to offer a beverage that was easy to consume, especially in outdoor settings, and that would quench the thirst of athletes and spectators alike. If you like it sweeter, add more grapefruit soda and less juice. White grapefruit juice can be difficult to find, so I often use Ruby Red juice. Other times, I just use gin and grapefruit soda to keep things simple.
A classic example of the highball is the Scotch and soda. Finns drink lonkero especially when they go to the sauna. Also, it is perfect in the summer as a refreshing drink. This drink was so popular that the production continued even after the Olympic Games. Hartwall still makes a Long drink with the original recipe. Lonkero is one of the Finnish people’s most popular drinks, it has been the most sold drink in Alko for several years.