Lonkero is Finland’s iconic long drink: a tall, refreshing mix of gin and grapefruit soda that became popular as a convenient serve and remains a familiar part of Finnish drinking culture.
Keep the ingredients very cold, use plenty of ice, and stir briefly so the grapefruit stays lively and the drink remains gently sparkling.
Choose a grapefruit soda that is citrus-forward rather than syrupy. The gin should support the bitterness, not dominate it.
Serving Suggestions
Serve in tall glasses with grapefruit wedges alongside salty snacks, grilled fish, or open-faced sandwiches.
Recipe Notes
Mix just before serving so the carbonation stays bright. For a lower-alcohol version, replace half the gin with chilled sparkling water.
Finnish Lonkero (Grapefruit Long Drink)
A crisp Finnish long drink of gin, grapefruit soda, lime, and ice with a clean citrus bitterness.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Build the drinks:
- Fill four tall glasses with ice. Pour 3 fluid ounces (90 ml) of gin and 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of lime juice into each glass.
- Top each glass with 1 cup (240 ml) of chilled grapefruit soda. Stir once or twice with a bar spoon to combine without flattening the bubbles.
- Garnish with a grapefruit wedge and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Notes
- Chill the glasses for a few minutes if you have time; the drink stays brighter as the ice melts more slowly.
- Use fresh lime juice for a clean acidity that balances the grapefruit soda.
