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Finnish Long Drink

Finland's national cocktail is a refreshingly light, beautifully balanced mix of gin, grapefruit juice, and tonic water. This simple yet sophisticated drink delivers big flavor with minimal effort, perfect for warm weather gatherings.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: Finnish
Calories: 160
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1.5 ounces 45 ml gin
  • 3.5 ounces 105 ml grapefruit juice, fresh or premium quality
  • 2.5 ounces 75 ml tonic water
  • A handful of ice cubes for filling the glass
  • 1 grapefruit slice or twist for garnish

Equipment

  • Highball or tall glass
  • Measuring jigger or shot glass
  • Bar spoon or long spoon for stirring
  • Knife for cutting citrus garnish
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Fill your highball glass generously with ice cubes to keep the final drink refreshing and prevent it from warming up too quickly.
  2. Using a jigger, measure out 1.5 ounces of gin and pour it directly over the ice.
  3. Pour 3.5 ounces of grapefruit juice into the glass over the gin and ice.
  4. Fill the remaining space in your glass with 2 to 3 ounces of tonic water, depending on how fizzy you like your drink.
  5. Using a bar spoon or long spoon, stir the drink gently for about 5 to 10 seconds to combine the ingredients evenly while keeping the carbonation alive.
  6. Take a sip and evaluate the balance. If it tastes too strong, add a splash more tonic water. If it feels too dilute, reduce the tonic on your next pour.
  7. Using a sharp knife, cut a thin slice of fresh grapefruit or twist a piece of grapefruit peel to express the oils over the drink.
  8. Place the grapefruit slice on the rim or drop it into the glass, or twist the peel over the surface and drop it in. Serve immediately while the drink is ice-cold and the tonic water still has plenty of fizz.

Notes

Use freshly squeezed grapefruit juice if you can find it or make it yourself, as it makes a noticeably brighter and more authentic Finnish Long Drink compared to bottled juice. Chill your glass in the freezer for a few minutes before making the drink so the cocktail stays colder longer. Make the drink right before serving rather than batching it ahead, since the carbonation from the tonic water will dissipate over time.