The first lonkeros were 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.
Other times, I just use gin and grapefruit soda to keep things simple. Finnish long drink called lonkero is made from grapefruit soft drink and gin. The drink is enjoyed cold with ice from a tall glass. With the Olympic Games being held in Helsinki, there would be an influx of thirsty athletes and visitors. Alko created two long drinks which were pre-mixed and bottled,  ready-to-consume. One was a brandy and fruit flavour and the second one was made with gin and grapefruit.

• The gin does affect the taste of this drink, and also the amount of gin you use.
• If you try this drink for the first time n Finland go with the original one that is Hartwall.
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• A refreshing long drink with gin and grapefruit – best enjoyed ice cold.
• If you like it sweeter, add more grapefruit soda and less juice.
• In the US you can buy Finnish lonkero equivalent at finnishspirits.com.
• Lonkero is served as a 330 ml or 500 ml drink with lots of ice.

Finnish long drink

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.

Where to find Lonkero?

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.

Other Finnish drinks

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.

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

• Long drink light version is sweetened with aspartame, acesulfame, or stevia.
• When making your own light version buy grapefruit soda that is sugar-free.
• You can get very different flavor profiles with different types of gin.
• The citrus tones are though not bitter but sweet since the drink has quite high sugar content.
• Until Finland joined the European Union in 1995, the production of long drink was strictly controlled by the government.

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).

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.

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. 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. It’s traditionally lonkero served in a tall (“long”) glass, hence the name. 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.