Authentic Finnish Long Drink Lonkero Recipe

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. 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.

Hartwall Original Long Drink – Gin & Cranberry 5.5% 330ml

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.

A Brief History: The Drink of the 1952 Olympics

The name lonkero comes from the English term long drink, per the similar pronunciation to the word long, but more adapted to the Finnish pronunciation, which prompted producers to use the word as part of their marketing. Long drinks in the Finnish style have been commercially produced and marketed in other nations, including Japan, China, Taiwan and the United States. Until Finland joined the European Union in 1995, the production of long drink was strictly controlled by the government.

What does an authentic Lonkero taste like?

• The host country introduced a fast-to-serve gin-based drink with grapefruit and soda water to keep the visitors entertained.
• In Finland, lonkero is available in stores and restaurants, where it can be on draught, bottle or can.
• Over years of making and enjoying Lonkero, I’ve picked up a few techniques that elevate it from a simple mixed drink to a truly exceptional cocktail.
• The 2000s saw the reintroduction of the brandy long drink, now manufactured by Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas.
• It was the absolute insistence on balance and a specific type of grapefruit flavor.
• Lightly sparkling and refreshingly bitter-sweet, it’s a go-to drink for relaxed occasions.

These lonkero casino review 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.”

• The key is using a crisp, dry grapefruit soda, not a sweet juice or a sugary soft drink.
• Lightly sparkling, crisp and refreshing.
• Long drinks in the Finnish style have been commercially produced and marketed in other nations, including Japan, China, Taiwan and the United States.
• Our team can’t wait to see the Lonkero word spread across the UK this summer.”
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• The ‘full-frontal Finnish experience’ is designed for festival-goers, summer garden parties, and those who want a ‘refreshing change from the norm’.

Can I use a different type of gin for Lonkero?

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. Lightly sparkling and refreshingly bitter-sweet, it’s a go-to drink for relaxed occasions. There is also a company called Lonkero Drinks in Norwich, UK, whose long drinks are sold in Norwich, Edinburgh, Brighton and London. After joining the EU the government was no longer allowed to control the production, and this led to the birth of several long drink brands by different companies.

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. I’d heard whispers about this legendary “long drink,” but the canned versions I’d tried back home just tasted like generic, sugary soda. Please note this product may only be purchased by people 18 years and over in the UK.

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 restaurants, where it can be on draught, bottle or can.