25 Popular Finnish Beverages to Celebrate Classic Flavors

Finnish Beverages: Basic Overview

Common Ingredients

Tea leaves, rice, fruits, herbs, plants

Common Preparing Methods

Blending, brewing, distilling, fermenting, juicing.

Key Taste

Sweet, sour, bitter

Drinking Etiquette

Toast before drinking alcohol; commonly drink until drunk; take turns buying rounds of drinks for the entire group; combine drinking and sauna.

Culinary Festivals

Christmas, Vappu (May Day), Juhannus (Midsummer).

Influence and Fusion

Finnish beverages are strongly influenced by Russian, German, and Nordic (especially Swedish) drinks.

Finnish Beverages: Origin and Region

Cuisine

Finland

Culinary Region

Northern Europe

Country’s Region

Northern Finland
Central Finland
Southern Finland
Eastern Finland

Classifications of Finnish Beverages

Alcoholic

Sima with festive decorations for Vappu.
© Henry Söderlund / CC BY 2.0 A classic lonkero produced by Hartwall.
Two frothy beer mugs served at a sauna in Finland.

Finland offers a wide range of alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, spirits, liqueurs, etc.

These beverages have a long history and are important to local tradition.

The environment in Finland provides many high-quality ingredients for making alcoholic beverages, including water, herbs, and fruits.

Many famous Finnish beverage companies specialize in alcoholic beverages and create globally famous products.
Non-Alcoholic

Black coffee for a typical Finnish breakfast.
Amber-colored Pommac being poured into a coupe glass.
Battery served with ice in a Collins glass.

There are many forms of non-alcoholic beverages in Finland, such as coffee, bottled juices, dairy products, energy drinks, etc.

Many of them are served hot, though chilled beverages are fairly common.

Finnish non-alcoholic beverages are usually sweet and go well with light snacks and desserts.

Finnish beverages are well-known drinks widely enjoyed in Finland as well as other Northern European countries.

These beverages share many common traits with those of Russia, northern Germany, and Nordic countries (especially Sweden), from alcoholic to non-alcoholic options.

The Finns are known for their fondness for potent drinks and fearlessness about getting tipsy. But they also apply strict rules on buying and drinking alcohol, especially when accompanying Finnish culinary creations with these drinks.

There are many famous brands of coffee, soft drinks, energy drinks, beer, vodka, liqueurs, and more in Finland. Join me to explore the best 25 representatives of these beverages and how to pair them with local dishes.

Next, I will cover the general characteristics of Finnish beverages, the country’s alcohol policy, and local beverage companies worth checking out.

But first, let’s take a look at the classic beverage rituals among the Finns and the international fame of local beverages.

Brace yourself for a fascinating plunge into the Finnish drink scene!

To navigate the established drinking traditions in Finland, here is what you should know about.

Strict Alcohol Policy

Finland exercises a strict policy regarding the legal drinking age, the sales and distribution of alcoholic beverages, and public drinking.

Toasting

Finns always toast and clink glasses before drinking, and they usually make eye contact and take a sip before putting their glass down.

Getting Drunk

It’s not unusual to see Finns getting drunk; they aren’t ashamed about it. Finland even has an infamous practice called pantsdrunk or kalsarikännit, which involves drinking alcohol alone at home in your underwear.

Sauna

Sauna culture also intertwines with drinking traditions, as a post-sauna beer or cider known as Saunakalja is a common sight. This culture is particularly robust among university students.

Round Buying

Similar to many other Western cultures, buying rounds of drinks for the group you are with is a common practice in Finland. If someone buys you a drink, it is polite to return the favor.

Coffee Ritual

Finns usually consume coffee in large quantities. Offering coffee to guests is a common sign of hospitality.

If you are wondering whether Finnish beverages are well-known outside Finland, you will find the answer right away.

Finnish drinks are strongly influenced by nearby Scandinavian cuisines, so certain Finnish beverages are well-known in neighboring countries, and vice versa.

Outside Northern Europe, Finnish beverages are making a foothold in countries with significant Finnish communities, such as Russia, the US, and Canada. For example, the Finnish long drink (lonkero) is becoming more and more popular in many US states.

I will tell you more about lonkero and other exciting Finnish beverages in the next section.

25 Popular Finnish Beverages with Filters

You’re about to discover the best 25 beverages in Finland. I have included interactive filters to help you navigate this content more easily, with options regarding popularity, ingredients, tastes, and preparation methods.

Also, there are more filters based on popular, traditional, and national beverage labels. For ease of reference, I put the most famous options at the start of the ranking.

The most popular Finnish beverages are widely enjoyed across the country and the region; some even enjoy international popularity.
These beverages are available in various settings, from cafes to homes and social events.

Finland’s national beverages represent the essence of the country’s culture and traditions.
These beverages serve as symbols of hospitality.
They are deeply ingrained in the country’s history and social fabric.

Traditional Finnish beverages have great historical significance.
They have been passed down through generations.
These beverages showcase the love of local and pure ingredients in Finland’s regional and culinary heritage.

Finnish Long Drink

Alcoholic

National
Traditional

Finnish long drink, also known as Lonkero, is a signature mixed drink from Finland. Its creation dates back to 1952 to serve international travelers visiting Helsinki for the Summer Olympics.

“Lonkero” comes from the English term “long drink,” distinguishing this beverage from regular mixed drinks that involve any liquor with a mixer. Lonkero always uses Finnish gin and a fruit soda, usually grapefruit.

Finnish long drink is the most consumed mixed drink in Finland and can be found in every Finnish store, bar, and restaurant, from draughts to bottled or canned versions.

The beverage company Hartwall led the creation of Lonkero. Hartwall Original Long Drink has the top spot among must-try Finnish Long Drink brands.

Other well-known Finnish long drink brands are KOFF Long Drink Gin & Grapefruit, Laitila’s Brändy Long Drink, and Estonia’s A. Le Coq Grapefruit Long Drink.

For some citrusy zest, Lonkero is an ideal accompaniment to all kinds of Finnish dishes, such as lohikeitto, silli ja uudet perunat, suklaakakku, and marjapiirakka.

Beer

Alcoholic

Traditional

Finnish beer is an immensely popular alcoholic beverage with a history dating back to the Middle Ages. According to Kirin Holdings, Finland is one of the European countries with significant beer consumption per capita.

One exceptional Finnish beer variant is Sahti, a traditional farmhouse ale brewed with rye and barley malts. It has a distinctive banana-like aroma, a sweet flavor, and a subtle juniper touch.

Baltic porter is Finland’s favorite type of lager. This cold-fermented beer unfolds nutty and chocolate notes, offering a sweet, robust profile with an alcohol level between 6.5% and 9.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).

Once governed by a 5-level beer tax class based on ABV, Finnish beers now have more freedom, yet many beverage companies still follow it voluntarily. When you look at the shelves, Finnish beer brands like Karhu, Olvi, and Karjala will catch your eye.

In Finland, a local beer pairs smoothly with grilled or savory dishes, including karjalanpaisti, kalakukko, porilainen, and ranskalaiset.

Coffee

Non-Alcoholic

Traditional

Finnish coffee, or kahvi, is an integral part of this country’s culture. Coffee arrived in Finland via Sweden and Russia in the 17th century and quickly gained popularity across Finland.

Today, Finland proudly claims the title of the world’s highest per capita coffee consumption based on the World Population Review. Made from light-roasted beans, Finnish coffee is served with milk and no sugar, making it a popular choice for breakfast.

Due to Finland’s cold weather, coffee breaks have become a common ritual. Finnish coffee is a catalyst for informal chats and social gatherings.

Locals usually pair Finnish coffee with pastries, desserts, and snacks, such as pulla, leipäjuusto, and korvapuusti.

Vodka

Alcoholic

Traditional

Finnish vodka is a famous alcoholic beverage in this Nordic country. Inspired by Polish and Russian vodka, it typically utilizes barley and water, producing a pure, tasteless, clear liquor.

Finlandia Vodka and Ström Vodka are the most well-known brands in Finland. The former combines golden Finnish barley with pristine glacial spring water, while the latter uses water, grains, and high-quality potatoes.

Finnish vodka is a versatile spirit in many local cocktails or single straight shots. With a potential ABV of 40%, this vodka variety is stronger than its counterparts from other countries.

Besides commercial vodka, there’s also pontikka, which is Finnish homemade vodka or moonshine.

Vodka can complement any robust and hearty dishes, such as poronkäristys, siskonmakkara, and mykyrokka.

Koskenkorva Viina

Alcoholic

Traditional

Koskenkorva Viina is a clear liquor from Finland, a local staple since the 1950s. It bears the name of its home village, Koskenkorva, and also goes by “Kossu” among its fans.

While Koskenkorva Viina is often called vodka in English, Finnish people refer to it as viina, a more general term for distilled liquor.

Potatoes or grains are the main ingredients of Koskenkorva Viina, which is typically sold in half-liter bottles and used in many Finnish mixed drinks.

The ordinary Koskenkorva Viina offers an ABV of 38%, while its export variants, named Koskenkorva Vodka, have an ABV of 40% to 60%.

Similar to vodka, Koskenkorva Viina pairs well with strong-flavored dishes, such as salmiakki, leipäjuusto, and poronkäristys.

Salmiakki Koskenkorva

Alcoholic

Traditional

Salmiakki Koskenkorva is a Finnish pre-mixed liqueur. Its main ingredients are Koskenkorva Viina and salmiakki (Nordic salty licorice).

The mix of these ingredients results in a liqueur with a licorice-like flavor and salty undertones. With an ABV of around 32%, Salmiakki Koskenkorva is often served neat to show its thick and smooth texture.

Popularized in the early 1990s, Salmiakki Koskenkorva has long been an ideal accompaniment for snacks and desserts, such as mämmi, leipäjuusto, and, of course, salmiakki.

Jaloviina

Alcoholic

Traditional

Jaloviina is a cut cognac with its roots in Finland. Also known as Jallu, this robust drink contains cognac, neutral grain spirit, and water, resulting in a blend similar to cut brandy but with a cognac twist.

An exclusively Finnish drink, Jaloviina is graded by stars to indicate the cognac proportion, inspiring many nicknames based on Finnish military ranks. The more stars a Jaloviina bottle has, the higher the cognac content.

With an ABV between 30% to 41%, Jaloviina carries a bold taste with undertones of sugar and tar. As a trademark of the Anora Group, this cut cognac holds a unique place in the realm of Finnish spirits.

Rich and hearty dishes like poronkäristys, karjalanpaisti, and lihapullat are ideal for complementing the robust taste of Jaloviina.

Kyrö Napue Gin

Alcoholic

Traditional

Kyrö Napue gin is an outstanding Finnish liquor produced by the Kyrö Distillery Company. Its former name was Napue.

Kyrö Napue gin is a colorless, appealing spirit using rye and a selection of herbs. This rye gin produces a dry, sharp, and piney flavor, followed by a hint of spices, bready rye, and lemons.

With its botanical notes, Kyrö Napue pairs nicely with not-to-bold dishes, such as lohikeitto, kalakeitto, and ruisleipä.

Sima

Non-Alcoholic

Traditional

Sima is a traditional fermented beverage from Finland. It is also known as Finnish spring mead due to its popularity during the festival of Vappu (May Day).

Sima primarily uses water, honey or sugar syrup, sugar, lemon, yeast, and raisins. The preparation process includes boiling water, adding sugar, lemon zest, and sugar, and fermenting at room temperature for a day or two.

This mixture is then added with raisins and sugar and fermented in the fridge for a few more days to create sima.

Named after an old Finnish word for honey, sima boasts a very low alcohol content. It can be regarded as a soft drink with Vappu treats like munkki, tippaleipä, and korvapuusti.

Sima was originally an expensive, high-alcohol drink from Germany and Latvia in the 16th century. The modern version emerged in the 18th century.

Glögi

Alcoholic

Traditional

Glögi is a popular spiced alcoholic beverage in Finland and a local adaptation of glögg (Nordic mulled wine), a popular spiced wine throughout Northern Europe.

Glögi mixes red and port wine with brandy, sugar, water, blanched almonds, oranges, raisins, ginger, cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon. Some versions even exclude alcohol to create a delicious beverage for people of all ages.

There are many ways to prepare this Finnish spiced liquor, but the general method involves boiling water and spices before adding the alcohol or simmering the alcohol and steeping the spices.

Glögi has been a Finnish Christmas drink since the 1970s. This festive beverage goes well with both rich and savory dishes, such as joulukinkku, lanttulaatikko, piparkakut, and korvapuusti.

Minttu

Alcoholic

Traditional

Minttu, literally “mint,” is a refreshing Finnish liqueur offering a peppermint flavor. Crafted by Pernod Ricard, this liqueur boasts an ABV between 35% and 50%.

Minttu is cherished in Nordic and Baltic countries and comes in multiple flavors. For example, Minttu Black introduces a unique salty licorice note.

The peppermint flavor of Minttu makes it a wonderful digestif to serve after having desserts like mämmi and korvapuusti.

Lakka

Alcoholic

Traditional

Lakka, literally “cloudberry,” is a Finnish liqueur using cloudberries (also known as Nordic berries). With an appealing amber hue, this liqueur carries an ABV of 21%, balancing a rich, bittersweet taste with the smoothness of honey.

While Lakka hails from Finland, it is distributed by the Sweden-based V&S Group, a Pernod Ricard subsidiary, and is internationally popular.

You can serve Lakka neat, turn it into cocktails (such as Lakka Cafe), or enjoy it with sweet desserts, such as kainuun rönttönen, munkki, and korvapuusti.

Marskin Ryyppy

Alcoholic

Traditional

Marskin Ryyppy is a Finnish alcoholic beverage with a potent kick. It’s fondly called “the Marshal’s drink” in honor of Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, a distinguished Finnish military leader and statesman.

This strong distilled liquor has an impressive ABV of 40%. Finnish people create it from a base of akvavit, a vodka-like spirit popular in Northern Europe, then add premium liquors for a colorless, balanced, and clean-tasting beverage.

Once an upgraded version of cheap vodka, Marskin Ryyppy is currently a proud Finnish product from Lignell & Piispanen.

Many locals enjoy Marskin Ryyppy as a snap (a small shot between meals), especially with savory snacks or appetizers like karjalanpiirakka, leipäjuusto, and salmiakki.

Punsch

Alcoholic

Traditional

Punsch is a well-known liqueur popular in Finland, though it originated in Sweden. With an ABV of approximately 25%, punsch is a sweet and full-bodied alcoholic beverage suitable for serving warm or chilled.

Punsch first appeared in the 18th century when the Swedish East India Company introduced new ingredients from Indonesia. Its main ingredients are arrack (an Indonesian spirit distilled from coconut palm sap or rice), white rum or vodka, sugar syrup, lemon zest, and nutmeg.

Don’t confuse punsch with punch, which includes various fruit-based beverages. Suitable accompaniments for punsch include desserts or light dishes like mämmi, munkki, and kaalikääryleet.

Kilju

Alcoholic

Traditional

Kilju is a Finnish homemade alcoholic beverage. Known as sugar wine in the local tongue, it’s made by adding yeast, sugar, and optional fruit juice to water and letting the mixture ferment.

Kilju boasts a colorless or off-white appearance. Depending on how low the sugar wine is fermented, its ABV ranges between 6 and 16%.

The charm of kilju lies in its affordability and ease of creation at home. Furthermore, this alcoholic beverage can be distilled to create pontikka (homemade vodka).

Since kilju is a rustic beverage, it goes well with simple dishes like ruisleipä, riisipuuro, and hernekeitto.

Vargtass

Alcoholic

Traditional

Vargtass is a cocktail born in the northern regions of Finland and Sweden. Its name translates to “wolf’s paw,” a nod to its vibrant character.

Vargtass blends vodka with lingonberry juice or other native berries. For extra sparkle, the Vargtass Royal version adds sparkling wine.

To complete the tangy taste of vargtass, savory main dishes like poronkäristys, mykyrokka, or siskonmakkarakeitto are ideal pairing options.

Crowmoor

Alcoholic

Traditional

Crowmoor is a Finnish cider inspired by the traditional dry English-style cider. Since its launch in 2002, it has become one of Finland’s favorite cider brands.

Crowmoor has an ABV of 4.7% and offers a crisp, light taste. Cider and kesäkeitto make a refreshing combo on a light summer day, though kalakeitto and uudet perunat ja silli also make great pairing choices.

Happy Joe

Alcoholic

Traditional

Happy Joe is a favored Finnish cider brand crafted by Hartwall. It was introduced in 2012 and comes with a moderate ABV of 4.7%.

I recommend accompanying this refreshing cider with light or sweet dishes like korvapuusti or karjalanpiirakka.

Battery

Non-Alcoholic

Traditional

Battery is a Finnish energy drink famous across nearly 40 countries worldwide. Introduced by Sinebrychoff in 1997, it combines caffeine, taurine (an amino acid), and extract from guarana, a fruit native to Brazil.

Battery is a high-caffeine drink with a distinctively sweet, tangy, and slightly bitter flavor. While Finnish people usually drink it on its own, you can enjoy this energy drink with versatile dishes like ruisleipä or munkki.

TEHO

Non-Alcoholic

Traditional

TEHO is a Finnish energy drink launched in 2005 by the brewery and soft drink company Olvi. Its name translates to “efficiency” or “power” in English.

TEHO incorporates caffeine, taurine, and guarana extract. Like Battery, this energy drink can accompany easy-to-eat dishes like ruisleipä and munkki.

Trip

Non-Alcoholic

Traditional

Trip is a Finnish juice brand from the company Marli. Making its debut in 1962, this carton juice is a hit among children with an impressive lineup of flavors such as pear, orange, raspberry, and wild strawberry.

Marli also produces Jussi, another juice brand with many flavors and mostly sold in one-liter cartons.

As a fruit juice beverage, Trip pairs beautifully with desserts or sweet dishes like munkki, raparperipiirakka, and vispipuuro.

Pommac

Non-Alcoholic

Traditional

Pommac is a Finnish carbonated soft drink that is also enjoyed in Sweden. Produced by Hartwall in Finland and Carlsberg in Sweden, this mixed fruit beverage is typically made with berries.

The production of Pommac is unlike other soft drinks, as people mature the ingredients in oak barrels like making wine. This method makes it an alcohol-free replacement for sparkling wine and champagne.

Offering a fruity taste, Pommac should go with lightly seasoned dishes like kainuun rönttönen and leipäjuusto.

Jaffa

Non-Alcoholic

Traditional

Jaffa is a Finnish carbonated soft drink that is regarded as the most sought-after domestic soft drink in the country. Launched in 1949 by Hartwall, it comes in a dozen flavors, but orange is the default taste.

Casual dishes, such as makaronilaatikko or lihapullat, are ideal foods for accompanying the citrusy tang of Jaffa.

Viili

Non-Alcoholic

Traditional

Viili is a popular fermented milk product in Finland and many other Nordic countries. Its main ingredients are milk, bacterial, and yeast culture, which create a thick and creamy texture.

A variant of yogurt, viili leans towards a mild, nutty, and cheese-like flavor. There are two main varieties: kermaviili (a rich cream-based version without milk) and piimä (a cultured buttermilk that’s thin, drinkable, and a summer favorite).

Finnish people consume viili as an enjoyable breakfast or snack, usually with ruisleipä on the side.

Garage

Alcoholic

Traditional

Garage is a Finnish alcopop (a low-alcohol mixed alcoholic drink). Its producer is the famed Sinebrychoff.

With a 4.6% ABV, Garage builds its reputation on two unique flavors: hard lemonade and hard iced tea. While this alcopop isn’t usually paired with meals, versatile dishes like ruisleipä and munkki can create a tasty combo with it.

Now that you know all about the most famous beverages in Finland, I will cover the basic features of this country’s drink beverages.

What Are Finnish Beverages All About?

To comprehend Finnish beverages, you need to understand the following five factors: culinary influences, climate and geography, festive nature, the tendency to get drunk, and sauna.

Culinary Influences

Finnish beverages are a blend of traditions influenced by Russia, Germany, and Nordic countries (especially Sweden).

Climate and Geography

The cold weather nudges the Finns towards hot drinks, yet without too many spices. Thanks to the pristine natural environments, Finland earns different high-quality local ingredients, including grains, wild herbs, pure water, and especially berries.

Festive Nature

In Finland, drinking is the backbone of celebrations. Alcohol always appears on weekends and special occasions such as Vappu, Juhannus (Midsummer), and Christmas.

What Is The Alcohol Policy In Finland?

In Finland, alcohol policy is a balance of moderation and control and extends to Finnish whiskey, cider, beer, vodka, and more. Below are a few basic rules.

Drinking Age

The legal drinking age is 18, but you must be 20 to purchase beverages with over 20% ABV.

Alko

Alko refers to state-run liquor stores with a monopoly on alcohol sales in Finland. Anything above 5.5% ABV is only available at Alko outlets or bars and restaurants with special licenses.

Alko is merely a retailer and doesn’t produce or own any brand. Unaccompanied minors can’t enter Alko.

Public Drinking

By law, it is illegal to consume alcohol in built areas throughout Finland, including parks, public transport, sidewalks, squares, and cemeteries.

However, the police may look the other way in less crowded or rural areas. Sales of alcohol stop at 9 PM sharp, making late-night purchases impossible.

To make up for the relatively strict alcohol policy, Finland offers many highly-rated beverage companies that you should check out.

What Are Well-known Beverage Companies in Finland?

Finland’s beverage scene boasts many renowned companies, with these names being the top stars.

Hartwall

Founded in 1836, Hartwall is the manufacturer behind many iconic Finnish drinks, including Lonkero.

The Anora Group

The Anora Group is a merger of Norway’s Arcus Group and Finland’s Altia Group in 2021. It produces and distributes many alcoholic beverages from its Helsinki headquarters.

Marlin

Starting in 1946, Marlin is one of Finland’s oldest fruit juice and nectar producers. This company is now part of the German group Eckes-Granini.

Sinebrychoff

Opened in 1819, Sinebrychoff is the Nordic region’s oldest still-operating brewery. Soft and energy drinks are also among its products.

Olvi

Also known as Olvi Oyj, Olvi was established in 1878 and produces both alcoholic beverages and soft drinks.

VEEN

VEEN started in 2006 and is known for its bottled water and unprocessed drinks.

If you enjoyed this exploration of Finnish beverages, please give it a like and share this article with your friends. And remember to comment about your favorite beverages!

Jamie Scott

Editor in Chief, Senior Content Writer

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Western Food Evaluation Expert

Education

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

Program: Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Gained foundational knowledge in French and European culinary techniques. Participated in workshops and hands-on training sessions under the guidance of seasoned chefs.

Local Community College, New York, NY

Program: Associate’s Degree in Nutrition
Focus: Acquired basic understanding of nutrition principles, dietary needs, and the importance of balanced diets in daily life.

Jamie Scott is a skilled culinary expert and content creator specializing in Western cuisine. With over 15 years in the culinary field and formal training from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, Jamie deeply understands how to blend nutrition with delicious flavors. His passion for cooking matches his commitment to making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.

On Fifteen.net, Jamie brings a fresh perspective to classic dishes and beverages, offering readers insightful recipes, cooking tips, and a fresh view on meal planning that emphasizes taste, health, and simplicity.

25 Typical Finnish Beverages