Lonkero, a Finnish longdrink consisting of gin and grapefruit lemonade. Photo: Benjamin Horn / Wikipedia Commons
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Finland’s signature long drink, known as Lonkero, has been named the “drink of the summer” by British newspaper The Guardian, after gaining traction in UK pubs, especially in the city of Norwich.
The recognition comes as Lonkero begins appearing on draught in select venues in Britain, where it is served by the pint. The drink, typically a mix of gin and grapefruit soda, was first created for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics to help bars serve large numbers of visitors quickly.
Elle Hunt, writing for The Guardian, said the drink’s appeal emerged without fanfare or internet hype.
“I was taken aback, and a little delighted, when the drink of this summer made itself known to me as though it were the year 2015, not 2025: organically, insistently and right on time. It’s Lonkero,” Hunt wrote.
She first encountered the drink through friends and later tried a version made by a British startup, Lonkero Drinks.
Joe Harris, co-founder of the company, became familiar with the drink while working in Helsinki. His experience led him to co-launch the brand in the UK alongside Paige Gibbons, who said the drink has been performing “surprisingly well” in Norwich.
In addition to Norwich, Lonkero is also sold in pubs in London, Edinburgh, Brighton and several other British cities.
The version sold in the UK mirrors the classic Finnish recipe, a slightly sweet, citrus-infused drink with a gin base. It has been well received by pub-goers looking for something different from typical seasonal options.
The long drink remains widely popular in Finland and has also found a foothold in the United States in recent years, where various companies have introduced canned versions.
Although many brands now produce their own take on Lonkero, the traditional blend remains consistent: gin and grapefruit soda served cold, often on draught and occasionally by the pint.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
