The citrus tones are though not bitter but sweet since the drink has quite high sugar content. Many zero version long drinks have 0 carbs so they are ok to drink even if you are dieting or are on keto. When making your own light version buy grapefruit soda that is sugar-free.
- Lonkero is a sweet drink that has a taste of gin and grapefruit.
- Also, it is perfect in the summer as a refreshing drink.
- I find that Fresca and white grapefruit juice give this drink the most authentic flavor, but ruby red grapefruit juice can be used for a sweeter, less tart flavor.
- The first lonkeros were served in the Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952.
- We’re fans of this Finnish Long Drink with cranberry juice for extra tartness.
- Many zero version long drinks have 0 carbs so they are ok to drink even if you are dieting or are on keto.
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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. 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-Finnish long drink recipe
Finns drink lonkero especially when they go to the sauna. Also, it is perfect in the summer as a refreshing drink. This can also be served to guests as a welcome drink. Lightly sparkling and refreshingly bitter-sweet, it’s a go-to drink for relaxed occasions. It is a crisp & zingy drink combining gin, grapefruit, soda, lime, pine & botanicals.
What is Lonkero?
Hartwall Original, also known as ‘Lonkero’ is a ready to drink gin, with refreshing grapefruit. 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.
Fazer Tyrkisk Peber Original – Salt Liquorice Sweets 120g
A simple style of long drink is the highball, a cocktail composed of one liquor and one mixer (excluding garnish or ice). A classic example of the highball is the Scotch and soda. 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. In the US you can buy Finnish lonkero equivalent at finnishspirits.com.
Hartwall Original Long Drink – Gin & Orange 5.5% 330ml
The first lonkeros were lonkero served in the Olympic Games in Helsinki in 1952. It was necessary to develop a drink that was refreshing and could be served for large crowds. The company Hartwall took this task and made a gin-grapefruit soda drink to serve guests. 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 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.
- In Finland, you can buy lonkero in all supermarkets and Alko.
- If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.
- This can also be served to guests as a welcome drink.
- Lonkero is one of the Finnish people’s most popular drinks, it has been the most sold drink in Alko for several years.
Brandy Sour
In Finland, you can buy lonkero in all supermarkets and Alko. The most popular place to buy it it’s on big ferries, where it is cheaper. 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.
Lonkero is one of the Finnish people’s most popular drinks, it has been the most sold drink in Alko for several years. Hartwall Original, also known as ‘Lonkero’ is a ready to drink gin, with refreshing grapefruit. The store-bought long drink is sweetened with sugar. Long drink light version is sweetened with aspartame, acesulfame, or stevia. Light or zero version has fever calories, 33 in 100 ml, (3,4oz).
