Long Drink Variety 8Pk

Long Drink Variety 8Pk is an eight-can assortment of gin-based, ready-to-drink Finnish long drink cocktails featuring multiple flavor profiles at varying ABVs. Rooted in a Finnish cocktail tradition dating to the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics, this variety pack showcases the brand's range — from the citrus-forward Traditional to bolder and lighter expressions — all built on a genuine gin-and-grapefruit-soda foundation rather than the malt-based alcohol used by many competing hard seltzers.

Quick Facts: ABV: 5%–8.5% (varies by style)  |  Origin: Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, USA  |  Style: Gin-Based Ready-to-Drink Cocktail  |  Brand: The Finnish Long Drink

Production & Heritage

The long drink — or lonkero — was originally created to serve crowds efficiently at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games by combining Finnish gin with grapefruit soda. The Finnish Long Drink brand revives that tradition using gin distilled with juniper berries and blended with grapefruit soda, producing a genuine gin-based cocktail in a can. Production takes place in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and the use of real gin as the spirit base distinguishes the product from malt-derived competitors in the hard seltzer and canned cocktail space.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: White grapefruit dominates the nose across all styles, with underlying juniper and subtle piney gin botanicals. The Cranberry variant adds a tart berry layer, while the Traditional stays clean and citrus-driven.

Taste: The palate opens with bright, acidic grapefruit that reads less sweet than expected. Mid-palate brings discernible gin character — juniper and light herbal spice — before citrus reasserts on the back end. The Strong expression (8.5% ABV) delivers a more pronounced spirit kick, while the Zero Sugar version stays lean and dry.

Finish: Crisp, dry, and moderate in length, with lingering grapefruit pith and a gentle juniper fade. The finish avoids the cloying sweetness common in many canned cocktails.

How to Drink Long Drink

Each can is designed to be consumed straight from the can or poured over ice — no mixing required. The Traditional and Zero Sugar expressions are sessionable at 5%–5.5% ABV, making them ideal for warm-weather drinking. For those who want to experiment: the Traditional works as a base in a Paloma riff, substituting for grapefruit soda and adding ready-made gin backbone; the Strong pairs well poured over crushed ice with a sprig of rosemary as an elevated Gin Rickey variation; and the Cranberry expression complements a Cranberry Spritz topped with sparkling wine and a twist of lemon.

Best For

• Stocking a home bar for casual summer gatherings without the need for a cocktail kit
• Introducing friends to the Finnish lonkero tradition with a range of styles in one pack
• Bringing to outdoor events, barbecues, or beach outings where glassware is impractical
• Sampling the full Long Drink lineup before committing to a single-flavor six-pack

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Long Drink taste like? The core flavor across all variants is bright, tart grapefruit balanced by juniper-forward gin character, finishing drier and less sweet than most canned cocktails.

How does Long Drink compare to hard seltzers? Long Drink uses real gin as its alcohol base, which contributes juniper and botanical complexity, whereas most hard seltzers rely on neutral malt or sugar-brewed alcohol with added flavoring — resulting in a noticeably different depth of flavor.

Is Long Drink good for casual drinking? The lower-ABV varieties (Traditional at 5.5% and Cranberry and Zero Sugar at 5%) are sessionable and well-suited to relaxed, social settings where a full cocktail would be impractical.

Where is Long Drink made? The Finnish Long Drink is produced in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, drawing on a Finnish cocktail tradition that originated at the 1952 Helsinki Summer Olympics.

What foods pair well with Long Drink? Grilled shrimp or fish tacos match the citrus brightness; smoked salmon echoes the Finnish heritage; sharp aged cheddar contrasts the grapefruit acidity; and spicy Thai or Vietnamese dishes benefit from the crisp, dry finish.

What sizes does Long Drink come in? The Variety 8-Pack contains 12 oz (355 ml) cans, and individual flavors are also available in six-pack format.

Is Long Drink worth the price? The variety pack positions in the premium ready-to-drink cocktail tier, above mass-market hard seltzers but justified by its genuine gin base and more complex flavor profile — a reasonable entry point for exploring the full range.

Why Long Drink?

What separates The Finnish Long Drink from the crowded canned cocktail market is authenticity of method: this is a gin-and-grapefruit drink made with actual gin, not a flavored malt beverage dressed up as a cocktail. The variety pack format lets drinkers compare how the grapefruit-juniper core translates across different ABV levels and flavor additions, from the clean Traditional to the fuller-bodied Strong. Its roots in a cocktail invented to serve Olympic crowds in 1952 Helsinki give it genuine cultural provenance. For anyone fatigued by one-note hard seltzers, this pack delivers real spirit character in a convenient format.