Long Drink: Beer's Nordic Cousin?

The long drink, or lonkero in Finnish, is a popular mixed drink in Finland. It is made with gin and grapefruit soda, though other flavours are available. The drink was first introduced in 1952 for the Helsinki Summer Olympics to ease understaffed bars. Since then, it has become the top-selling category of alcohol in Finland, with various brands emerging after Finland joined the European Union in 1995. The long drink has also gained popularity in international markets, including the United States, where it is often served in a canned version.

Long drink is a top-selling alcohol category in Finland

Long drink, or lonkero in Finnish, is a top-selling alcohol category in Finland. It is a mixed drink typically made with gin and grapefruit soda, although other flavours are available, including cranberry and lime. The drink is characterised by its large volume, typically ranging from 120 ml to 400 ml.

The Finnish long drink has a unique history, dating back to the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, Finland. With the country expecting a large influx of visitors, the Finnish government sought to ease understaffed bars by commissioning the creation of a refreshing alcoholic beverage. The result was the long drink, which quickly became an instant success and has since become a staple in Finnish culture.

The original long drink, also known as the Gin Long Drink, was created by the Finnish beverage company Hartwall. It combined Finnish premium gin with grapefruit soda, creating a lightly carbonated and refreshing cocktail. The drink was designed to be served in a highball glass, a style commonly associated with long drinks in Northern Europe.

Over the years, the production and distribution of long drinks in Finland were strictly controlled by the government through Alko, the national government-run alcoholic beverage distributor. However, when Finland joined the European Union in 1995, the government's control over the drink's production ceased, leading to the emergence of various long drink brands and flavours.

Today, the long drink remains a popular choice in Finland and has even gained international recognition. It can be found in stores, bars, and restaurants throughout Finland, and its popularity has led to its commercial production and marketing in other countries, including the United States, China, Japan, and Taiwan. The canned version of the Finnish long drink has also contributed to its growing popularity, making it accessible and convenient for consumers worldwide.

It was first introduced at the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki

The long drink is an alcoholic mixed drink with a volume of over 120 ml (4.1 US fl oz). It was first introduced at the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki, Finland, where the government needed to ease understaffed bars by commissioning a refreshing alcoholic drink that could be served quickly to crowds.

The long drink was invented for a sporting occasion—the 1952 Olympic Games held in Helsinki, Finland, from 19 July to 3 August. The games attracted thousands of foreign competitors, media personnel, and sports fans, and the Finnish government wanted to ease the strain on bars by creating a pre-mixed drink that could be served quickly.

At the time, Finland had strict controls on the sale of alcohol due to its recent history of prohibition from 1919 to 1932. To accommodate the influx of foreign visitors, the Finnish state loosened the laws and allowed the introduction of pre-mixed drinks. The national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly, Alkoholiliike, introduced two brands of pre-mixed, bottled, ready-to-drink long drinks: the Gin Long Drink (gin with grapefruit) and the Brandy Long Drink (brandy with Pommac).

The Gin Long Drink, also known as Hartwall Original Long Drink, became the most popular and is still available today. It is made with the same recipe as it was in 1952 and is characterised by its bright and citrusy flavour profile with moderate juniper notes. The drink is now available in various international markets, including the United States.

Long drink is also called lonkero, which means tentacle in Finnish

The long drink, or Finnish long drink, is a popular mixed drink in Finland, also known as lonkero. The name lonkero comes from the English term "long drink", with a pronunciation that suits the Finnish language. Interestingly, the word "lonkero" means tentacle in Finnish, but this is purely coincidental.

The Finnish long drink is made by mixing gin with grapefruit soda, and it is usually served in a tall glass. It was first introduced in 1952 for the Helsinki Summer Olympics to ease understaffed bars and cater to the large number of visitors. The Finnish government, which had a strict alcohol policy at the time, allowed some liberalization, and Alkoholiliike, the national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly, introduced two brands of pre-mixed bottled long drinks: the Gin Long Drink (gin with grapefruit) and the Brandy Long Drink (brandy with Pommac). The Gin Long Drink became extremely popular and is now widely available in stores, bars, and restaurants in Finland.

The long drink is typically served in a tall glass, emphasising the volume of the mixer, which is in contrast to a short drink or shooter that contains less mixer or none at all. Short drinks tend to be stronger as both types usually contain similar amounts of alcohol. The long drink falls into the category of alcoholic mixed drinks with a volume of more than 120 ml (4.1 US fl oz) and often ranges from 160 to 400 ml (5.4 to 13.5 US fl oz).

Over the years, the Finnish long drink has evolved, and today, various brands offer different flavours and varieties, including traditional citrus, strong, cranberry, peach, and zero-sugar options. The drink has also made its way beyond Finland and can now be found in international markets, including the United States, China, Japan, and Taiwan.

The original long drink is made with gin and grapefruit soda

In Finland, a long drink, or lonkero, is a popular beverage made with gin and grapefruit soda. The drink was first introduced in 1952 when Finland was preparing to host the Summer Olympics. At the time, Finland had a strict state-controlled alcohol policy following a period of prohibition. To accommodate the expected influx of foreign visitors, the state allowed some liberalisation, and Alkoholiliike, the national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly, introduced two brands of pre-mixed, bottled, ready-to-drink long drinks: the Gin Long Drink (gin with grapefruit) and the Brandy Long Drink (brandy with Pommac).

The Gin Long Drink, made with grapefruit soda and gin, became widely popular and is now considered the original long drink. The Brandy Long Drink was discontinued in the 1970s, and since then, the term "long drink" has been primarily associated with the gin-and-grapefruit beverage in Finland.

The Finnish long drink typically contains 5%–8% alcohol and is known for its refreshing, crisp, and lightly carbonated taste. It is commonly sold in stores, bars, and restaurants in Finland and can be found on draught, in bottles, or cans. The drink has also gained popularity in other countries, including Estonia, where the Finnish name lonkero has been adopted into the colloquial language as longero.

Over the years, different variations of the long drink have emerged, with some companies experimenting with flavours like lemon and orange instead of grapefruit. Others have created milder versions by using fermentation rather than adding spirits. The long drink has also inspired a cult following in some international markets, and it has been commercially produced and marketed in countries like the United States, China, Japan, and Taiwan.

Long drinks are now available in many international markets

Long drinks, or lonkero in Finnish, are now available in many international markets. The drink, which originated in Finland, is a mix of gin and grapefruit soda, with other flavours including cranberry and lime. The long drink was first introduced in 1952 for the Helsinki Summer Olympics to ease understaffed bars and cater to the large number of visitors. Since then, it has become a top-selling category of alcohol in Finland, with various brands emerging after Finland joined the European Union in 1995, allowing for more freedom in production.

The Finnish long drink has recently started to become available outside of Finland, including in the United States, China, Japan, and Taiwan. In the US, the drink has been canned and offered in traditional, high-ABV, zero-calorie, and cranberry-flavoured versions. The canned cocktail was ranked as the fastest-growing spirit in the world and has been endorsed by high-profile investors like actor Miles Teller and Norwegian DJ Kygo.

The long drink is typically served in a tall glass, with a large volume of mixer and a relatively small amount of alcohol, similar to a highball. It is known for its refreshing, crisp, and lightly carbonated taste, making it perfect for various occasions, from the beach to a round of golf. The gin used in the drink is crafted with carefully selected ingredients, ensuring the best quality, and the grapefruit soda is made with what has been claimed to be "the world's cleanest water".

The expansion of the Finnish long drink into international markets has brought a unique blend of local Finnish ingredients to a global audience, offering a refreshing and uncomplicated canned beverage option. With its growing popularity and availability, the long drink is sure to continue its success in Finland and abroad.

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