Long drink
Encyclopedia
A long drink or tall drink is an alcoholic mixed drink
with a relatively large volume (> 12 cl, frequently 16–40 cl or between 5 - 9 fluid ounce
s). In Finland, the term refers to a type of premixed, ready to drink alcoholic beverage.
This terminology
had fallen out of favor over the last decade or two, but is now enjoying a revival. A long drink will have a tall glass full of mixer
, often with ice, with a relatively small proportion of alcohol. This is in contrast to a short drink, in which the liquor is the main ingredient. The amount of alcohol in each type of drink may be the same, thus the long drink is a more dilute solution of alcohol.
A classic long drink is a Tom Collins
. A simple style of long drink is the highball
, a cocktail composed of one liquor and one mixer, (excluding garnish or ice). A classic example of the highball is the gin and tonic
.
In Finland
, the term "long drink" has come to refer almost exclusively to factory-produced mixed beverages. The best known variety is the "gin long drink", a mixture of grapefruit
soda
and gin
.
In 1952, Finland was preparing to receive increased tourism connected to the 1952 Summer Olympics
. As a compromise following the Finnish prohibition
(1919–1932), the country was living with a strict state-controlled alcohol policy. In order to help vendors facing a wave of foreign customers, the state allowed some liberalization and Alkoholiliike
, the national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly, introduced two brands of pre-mixed, bottled, ready-to-consume long drinks. These were the Gin Long Drink (gin with grapefruit) and the Brandy Long Drink (brandy
with Pommac
), then manufactured by Hartwall
for Alkoholiliike. The latter product was discontinued in the 1970s, after which the term long drink became primarily associated with the gin-and-grapefruit beverage in Finland.
Further liberalization of alcohol policy led to the birth of several long drink brands by different companies. Some experimented with using lemon, orange or other flavors instead of grapefruit. Others started manufacturing mild long drinks based on fermentation
rather than on adding spirits. The 2000s saw the reintroduction of the brandy long drink, now manufactured by Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas
.
The English term long drink has been widely replaced by Finnish term lonkero (literally, "tentacle") in everyday speech, so much so that some of the newer brands use the word on their packaging.
the Hartwall Original Gin Long Drink remains the most popular single product sold by Alko
, outselling Koskenkorva, the most popular Finnish spirit.
Mixed drink
A mixed drink is a beverage in which two or more ingredients are mixed. Some mixed drinks are alcoholic beverages that contain liquor; others are non-alcoholic.-Types:Some popular types of mixed drinks are:...
with a relatively large volume (> 12 cl, frequently 16–40 cl or between 5 - 9 fluid ounce
Fluid ounce
A fluid ounce is a unit of volume equal to about 28.4 mL in the imperial system or about 29.6 mL in the US system. The fluid ounce is distinct from the ounce, which measures mass...
s). In Finland, the term refers to a type of premixed, ready to drink alcoholic beverage.
This terminology
Terminology
Terminology is the study of terms and their use. Terms are words and compound words that in specific contexts are given specific meanings, meanings that may deviate from the meaning the same words have in other contexts and in everyday language. The discipline Terminology studies among other...
had fallen out of favor over the last decade or two, but is now enjoying a revival. A long drink will have a tall glass full of mixer
Drink mixer
Drink mixers are the non-alcoholic ingredients in mixed drinks and cocktails. There are many reasons mixers are used. They change or enhance flavors or add new ones to a drink. Mixers dilute the drink, lowering the alcohol by volume in the drink. They may make the drink sweeter, more sour, or more...
, often with ice, with a relatively small proportion of alcohol. This is in contrast to a short drink, in which the liquor is the main ingredient. The amount of alcohol in each type of drink may be the same, thus the long drink is a more dilute solution of alcohol.
A classic long drink is a Tom Collins
Tom Collins
The Tom Collins is a type of Collins cocktail made from gin, lemon juice, sugar and carbonated water. First memorialized in writing in 1876 by "the father of American mixology" Jerry Thomas, this "Gin and Sparkling Lemonade" drink typically is served in a Collins glass over ice.-History:In 1874,...
. A simple style of long drink is the highball
Highball
Highball is a type of alcoholic drinkHighball may also refer to:* Highball glass, a drinking vessel* Highball Wilson , professional baseball pitcher* the British Highball bouncing bomb project from World War 2...
, a cocktail composed of one liquor and one mixer, (excluding garnish or ice). A classic example of the highball is the gin and tonic
Gin and tonic
A gin and tonic is a highball cocktail made with gin and tonic water poured over ice. It is usually garnished with a slice or wedge of lime, or lemon. The amount of gin varies according to taste...
.
Long drink in Finland
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
, the term "long drink" has come to refer almost exclusively to factory-produced mixed beverages. The best known variety is the "gin long drink", a mixture of grapefruit
Grapefruit
The grapefruit , is a subtropical citrus tree known for its sour fruit, an 18th-century hybrid first bred in Barbados. When found, it was named the "forbidden fruit"; it has also been misidentified with the pomelo or shaddock , one of the parents of this hybrid, the other being sweet orange The...
soda
Soft drink
A soft drink is a non-alcoholic beverage that typically contains water , a sweetener, and a flavoring agent...
and gin
Gin
Gin is a spirit which derives its predominant flavour from juniper berries . Although several different styles of gin have existed since its origins, it is broadly differentiated into two basic legal categories...
.
In 1952, Finland was preparing to receive increased tourism connected to the 1952 Summer Olympics
1952 Summer Olympics
The 1952 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XV Olympiad, were an international multi-sport event held in Helsinki, Finland in 1952. Helsinki had been earlier given the 1940 Summer Olympics, which were cancelled due to World War II...
. As a compromise following the Finnish prohibition
Prohibition
Prohibition of alcohol, often referred to simply as prohibition, is the practice of prohibiting the manufacture, transportation, import, export, sale, and consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages. The term can also apply to the periods in the histories of the countries during which the...
(1919–1932), the country was living with a strict state-controlled alcohol policy. In order to help vendors facing a wave of foreign customers, the state allowed some liberalization and Alkoholiliike
Alko
Alko is the national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly in Finland. It is the only store in the country which retails beer over 4.7% ABV, wine and spirits. Alcoholic beverages are also sold in licensed restaurants and bars but only for consumption on the premises...
, the national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly, introduced two brands of pre-mixed, bottled, ready-to-consume long drinks. These were the Gin Long Drink (gin with grapefruit) and the Brandy Long Drink (brandy
Brandy
Brandy is a spirit produced by distilling wine. Brandy generally contains 35%–60% alcohol by volume and is typically taken as an after-dinner drink...
with Pommac
Pommac
Pommac is a carbonated soft drink made of fruits and berries and matured in oak barrels for 3 months. The name comes from "Pommery", referring to Champagne, and Cognac, as it is matured on oak barrels like wine...
), then manufactured by Hartwall
Hartwall
Hartwall is a beverage company based in Helsinki, Finland. It was founded in 1836. Its soft drinks range includes Hartwall Jaffa and Hartwall Novelle water. The company also owns the license for manufacturing and selling PepsiCo's Pepsi, 7 Up and Mountain Dew brands in Finland...
for Alkoholiliike. The latter product was discontinued in the 1970s, after which the term long drink became primarily associated with the gin-and-grapefruit beverage in Finland.
Further liberalization of alcohol policy led to the birth of several long drink brands by different companies. Some experimented with using lemon, orange or other flavors instead of grapefruit. Others started manufacturing mild long drinks based on fermentation
Ethanol fermentation
Ethanol fermentation, also referred to as alcoholic fermentation, is a biological process in which sugars such as glucose, fructose, and sucrose are converted into cellular energy and thereby produce ethanol and carbon dioxide as metabolic waste products...
rather than on adding spirits. The 2000s saw the reintroduction of the brandy long drink, now manufactured by Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas
Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas
Laitilan Wirvoitusjuomatehdas is a Finnish brewery and a soft drinks company based in Laitila. It was founded in 1995 and now the company owns several brands, such as: Kukko-beers, OIVA-ciders, Kievari-beers and Wanhanajan Limonaadi-lemonades...
.
The English term long drink has been widely replaced by Finnish term lonkero (literally, "tentacle") in everyday speech, so much so that some of the newer brands use the word on their packaging.
the Hartwall Original Gin Long Drink remains the most popular single product sold by Alko
Alko
Alko is the national alcoholic beverage retailing monopoly in Finland. It is the only store in the country which retails beer over 4.7% ABV, wine and spirits. Alcoholic beverages are also sold in licensed restaurants and bars but only for consumption on the premises...
, outselling Koskenkorva, the most popular Finnish spirit.