A drink with a giant following has been around for over 70 years and chances are, you haven’t heard of it. The cocktail is dubbed the Finnish Long Drink, and it’s a refreshing gin-based number that’s easy to mix up at home. The Scandinavian drink has quite the pedigree, born during a global sporting event and becoming a go-to for one of the happiest nations on the planet.
It all started in 1952 when Finland hosted the Summer Olympics. The masses descended on Helsinki to see the world’s best athletes and brought with them not just a hunger for entertainment and sport, but thirst. It was August, conditions were mild, and fans needed something refreshing. Finland, a relatively small country, needed to efficiently serve a large audience and do so quickly and efficiently.
The government stepped in to commission an official drink. It was to be simple to make, in order to keep up with the sheer number of people who would be ordering the new gin drink. The Finnish Long Drink was born, a fizzy mix of gin and citrus soda. It’s called “lonkero” in its homeland and remains a vastly popular beverage, especially during the milder months. It’s sort of like the northern European version of Ranch Water, a drink that’s simultaneously minimalistic, deeply thirst-quenching, and not overly alcoholic.
Therein lies the beauty of the Finnish Long Drink. It’s got longevity. It’s a low-octane beverage you can sip on all day without losing your functionality. Better still, you can batch up large versions of it when you’re entertaining guests or looking to fill a thermos before adventuring out. And while the Finnish may make it a select way, it’s a drink that can be experimented with and doctored up to your personal liking.
These days, there are canned versions of the Finnish drink (just arriving in the U.S.). And while those are tasty, you can also make your own at home — here’s how.
The soda
Most versions call for some kind of citrus soda, typically grapefruit in flavor. That said, there are many options out there, some better than others. Look to brands like Q Mixers or Fever Tree for high-end soda that really captures the flavor of the fruit. For something a little more playful and nostalgic (and a little sweeter), seek out a can or two of Squirt or even a few bottles of Jarritos.
You can also go the tonic route and flavor it yourself with freshly squeezed grapefruit. Go one step further and play around with a few other additions, like fresh blood orange, a touch of tangerine, or even a splash of apricot liqueur.
Traditional Finnish Long Drink recipe
If you want to try this special taste of Finland for yourself, you don’t have to head all the way to Helsinki (but if you do, you won’t be sorry, it’s an amazing place). No, you can make the Finnish Long Drink in the comfort of your own home, and as a bonus, you really don’t need to have fancy bartender skills to make this refreshing gin-and-citrus cocktail.
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice (freshly squeezed is best)
- 2 ounces white grapefruit juice
- 2 ounces gin
- 3 ounces citrus-flavored soda (such as Fresca)
- Club soda
- Citrus fruit for garnish (grapefruit is traditional, but you can also use other fruits like lemon)
Method
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add lemon juice, gin, grapefruit juice, and citrus soda.
- Stir to combine.
- Top with club soda and lightly stir.
- Garnish with citrus fruit.
Alternative Finnish Lonkero recipe
There are several renditions of the Finnish Long Drink available out there, but if you’re looking for one that would go well in the colder months, especially the fall, we especially like this one from A Couple Cooks. It takes on some cranberry, citrus, and a good gin, a combination that never gets old. And you really don’t need to wait — this one is good year-round.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 4 ounces grapefruit soda
- 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- Citrus for garnish
Method
- In an ice-filled glass, stir the gin, lemon juice, and cranberry juice together.
- Top with soda and garnish with citrus.
