Whereas in Finland, I found the ubiquitious ready-to-drink End lonkero or “Lengthy Drink.” Extensively obtainable in Finnish liquor shops the End Lengthy Drink was much more broadly obtainable out. I’d be in eating places or saunas with just one or two drinks on draft, and with out fail the Finnish Lengthy Drink was one among them.
For the unfamiliar the Finnish Lengthy Drink was first produced by Hartwall for the 1952 Summer time Olympics. For college kids of Olympic historical past, this is perhaps finest remembered because the first summer time olympics since 1912 the place medals weren’t awarded for artwork (which is a disgrace that hometown expertise Aale Tynni wasn’t capable of defend her 1948 gold medal in Literature for Laurel of Hellas, however I digress). This meant that whereas the Hartwall Lengthy Drink itself wasn’t eligible for any medals, the mix of grapefruit soda and gin must accept wining hearts. And that it did.
The Finnish Lengthy Drink is often an about to five%–8% alcoholic beverage typically composed as a mixture of gin and grapefruit. The product was discontinued within the Seventies, nevertheless, attributable to recognition (and a very good dose of nostalgia) that authentic Hartwall drink returned.
Since, others have made their very own takes on it. Some have even tried naturally fermenting variations. However what’s fascinating is that not too way back the Finnish Lengthy Drink was a factor that guests to Finland would keep in mind solely of their scrapbooks. The Finnish lengthy drink is making it method out of Finland and increasing throughout two continents. In 2015, Hartwall signed agreements to get the drink on cabinets within the Netherlands, Sweden and Belgium. In 2016, they expanded to Asian markets together with Japan. Exterior of markets the place it’s broadly obtainable, it conjures up a cult following. Reviewers of a Brighton, UK bar level it out prominently in a Journey Advisor evaluation: “Quirky bar serving the Finnish Lengthy Drink.” The Finnish Lengthy Drink is actually world. Hopefully (for me) it makes its method to North America quickly.
Ingesting the Finnish Lengthy Drink in Finland
Hartwall Authentic Finnish Lengthy Drink
White grapefruit flesh on the nostril… The palate is far much less candy than I anticipated. Acidic grapefruit early, with gin notes approaching most strongly mid-palate. Crisp juniper and citrus depth. Heavy grapefruit notes predominate, however with a delicate crisp and gently dry end. There’s no bitterness right here, nevertheless it does have a sure crispness that calls to thoughts a Gin and Tonic. [Full Review]
Laitilan Gini Lengthy Drink
A little bit of Squirt on the nostril, and a observe of ruby purple grapefruit as properly, together with the extra anticipated white grapefruit juice notes. On the palate, it’s grapefruit early and late. The juniper is fairly uninteresting and never very clear amidst the overwhelming grapefruit. Whereas Laitilan Gini Lengthy Drink has a pleasant grapefruit taste, there’s not as a lot London Dry Gin right here as I hoped. [Full Review]
Making the Finnish Lengthy Drink at House
So naturally, with it not being obtainable, I sought out to recreate the drink at residence.
Lengthy Drink #1: With Squirt
On condition that the primarily taste was grapefruit soda, I instantly thought that the broadly obtainable Pepsi product Squirt would possibly make a very good Lengthy Drink.
I attempted a few ratios. However irrespective of the mix, each the Gin Spouse and I agreed: this one is just too candy. Right here’s our most well-liked ratio of those we tried:
4 components Squirt 3 components Tanqueray Gin 1 half Tonic Water Construct over ice and stir gently to mix.
Lengthy Drink #2: With Fresca
I used the identical ratio as within the above instance, however this time with Coca-Cola’s reply to grapefruit soda: Fresca. This was waaaaaaay nearer to the Lengthy Drink I had in Finland and really comes pretty near replicating the canned ones.
Really helpful
Lengthy Drink #3: With Grape Tonic
I discovered dialing the gin as much as nearly parity (1:1) created a pleasant stability of grapefruit and juniper. I’d recommend a extra traditional 1 half gin, 2 components Grape Tonic, garnished with a lemon wedge so as to add a pleasant counterpoint to the grapefruit. Although sadly this selection might be for Finns solely, as I haven’t seen Grape Tonic anyplace aside from Finland. [Grape Tonic Review]
2 components Grape Tonic 1 half Juniper ahead gin Construct over ice and garnish with a lemon wedge.
Lengthy Drink #4: With a Glowing Grapefruit Juice
We used a Grapefruit Soda similar to Izze, although there are lots of others in the marketplace which come shut. The bottom line is to make sure that it has actual grapefruit juice and sweetening amongst its substances.
This Lengthy Drink comes shut when it comes to taste, however leaves lots to be missing when it comes to coloration. It’s one among my favorites to drink, however nobody will dare mistake this for a Finnish Lengthy Drink. If the colour is essential to you, glowing grapefruit juices nearer to San Pellegrino’s Pomplemo are value having a look at; nevertheless, for us the flavour was off. The white grapefruit taste was far too tart and didn’t replicate the drink in any way.
Lengthy Drink #5: With Contemporary White Grapefruit
¾ oz. contemporary squeezed grapefruit juice ¼ oz. contemporary squeezed lemon juice a scant ½ oz. of easy syrup 1½ oz. Tanqueray Gin Shake substances with ice to mix, pressure right into a excessive ball glass with ice Prime with 3 oz. of Q Tonic Stir and serve.
Contemporary grapefruit alone didn’t present as a lot of an identical taste to the Lengthy Drink. The contact of lemon juice brings it a bit nearer according to the flavour of Squirt and Fresca.
However the fact is that the Finnish lengthy drink appears so reliant on that odd, almost unreplicable observe of Grapefruit soda that I’m undecided there’s a mixture of contemporary substances that may change it. This drink total is a pleasant citrusy and slightly-sweeter-than-your-usual Gin and Tonic.
Closing Ideas
Till the Finnish Lengthy Drink arrives stateside, these makes an attempt are one of the best we’ve got. My advice is The Lengthy Drink with Fresca. It was the closest to the unique.
DIY Finnish Lengthy Drink
When you may’t be in Finland however you continue to desire a lengthy drink, there’s some excellent news. You will get fairly shut with solely what’s obtainable at your native grocery.
4 components Fresca
3 components Basic gin ((like Tanqueray))
1 half Tonic Water ((like Q Tonic))
Construct over ice and stir gently to mix.
In any other case, for these of you lucky sufficient to reside in a spot the place the Lengthy Drink is broadly accessible, I like to recommend grabbing the true factor.
