Long Drinks: Complete Guide, Classic Recipes, Lonkero, Highballs and Mocktails
Long drinks are made for people who enjoy tall, chilled beverages with plenty of mixer, ice, and flavor. They can be dry and simple, fruity and bright, gently bitter, or completely alcohol-free.
This guide explains what long drinks are, how they differ from highballs and Collins cocktails, and how to make them properly. You will also find complete recipes, batch options, Finnish lonkero, Japanese highballs, mocktails, and practical serving advice.
Quick Answer
A long drink is a tall mixed beverage served with ice and a generous amount of mixer. Common examples include a gin and tonic, whiskey highball, Tom Collins, Paloma, spritz, and Finnish Long Drink.
TL;DR
- Long drinks use more mixer than short cocktails.
- Most are served in tall glasses over ice.
- A simple starting ratio is one part spirit to three parts mixer.
- Keep mixers, glasses, and ingredients cold.
- Add sparkling ingredients last to protect carbonation.
- Alcohol-free long drinks use the same basic structure.
What Is a Long Drink?
A long drink, sometimes called a tall drink, is a mixed beverage with a larger total volume. It usually contains a base spirit, a generous mixer, ice, and a simple garnish.
The mixer “lengthens” the drink, making it less concentrated than a short cocktail served in a rocks or coupe glass. However, a tall glass does not always mean the drink contains less alcohol.
Most Long Drinks Contain
- Base: Gin, vodka, rum, tequila, whiskey, wine, aperitif, or zero-proof spirit
- Mixer: Soda water, tonic, ginger beer, juice, cola, tea, or sparkling wine
- Acid: Lemon, lime, grapefruit, or another tart ingredient
- Sweetener: Syrup, soda, liqueur, fruit juice, or none
- Ice: Enough to keep the drink cold without rapid dilution
- Garnish: Citrus peel, wedge, herbs, cucumber, or fresh fruit
Long Drinks vs Highballs, Collins Drinks, Rickeys, Fizzes and Spritzes
These drink names overlap, but they do not mean exactly the same thing. A highball is one major type of long drink, while Collins drinks, Rickeys, and spritzes follow different formulas.
Understanding the families makes it easier to select ingredients. It also helps you order more clearly at a bar.
| Drink Style | Basic Structure | Typical Character | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long drink | Spirit or base plus a larger mixer | Broad category | Gin and tonic |
| Highball | Spirit plus a generous mixer | Simple and crisp | Whiskey soda |
| Collins | Spirit, lemon, sugar, and soda | Tart and lightly sweet | Tom Collins |
| Rickey | Spirit, lime, and soda | Dry and sharp | Gin Rickey |
| Fizz | Shaken sour topped with soda | Foamy and lively | Gin Fizz |
| Spritz | Wine, aperitif, liqueur, and bubbles | Light and bittersweet | Hugo Spritz |
| Buck or mule | Spirit, citrus, and ginger beer | Spicy and bold | Moscow Mule |
A classic highball often uses about one part spirit to two, three, or four parts mixer. A Collins adds citrus and sugar, while a Rickey usually skips the sugar.
The Basic Long-Drink Formula
The easiest long drinks are built around balance rather than a rigid recipe. Begin with a moderate amount of base, then adjust the mixer, acidity, and sweetness.
This flexible formula works for alcoholic cocktails and mocktails. Taste before serving, since soda, juice, tonic, and ginger beer vary widely.
Everyday Long-Drink Formula
| Component | Suggested Amount |
|---|---|
| Base spirit or zero-proof base | 1½–2 ounces |
| Citrus juice | ½–1 ounce |
| Syrup or sweet liqueur | 0–¾ ounce |
| Chilled mixer | 3–5 ounces |
| Ice | Fill the glass |
| Garnish | One simple garnish |
How to Build It
- Chill the mixer and glass before starting.
- Add the spirit, citrus, and sweetener.
- Fill the glass with firm, fresh ice.
- Pour the sparkling mixer slowly.
- Stir once or twice with a bar spoon.
- Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity.
- Add a clean, aromatic garnish.
How to Adjust the Balance
- Too strong: Add more chilled mixer.
- Too sweet: Add soda water or fresh citrus.
- Too sour: Add ¼ ounce syrup or sweeter mixer.
- Too flat: Replace the mixer with a freshly opened bottle.
- Too watery: Use more ice, not less.
- Too bitter: Reduce tonic or bitter aperitif.
- Too bland: Add citrus peel, salt, herbs, or bitters.
Glassware, Ice, Carbonation and Garnishes
Small preparation details separate a flat mixed drink from a crisp long cocktail. The glass, ice, and mixer temperature all affect dilution and flavor.
You do not need professional bar equipment. A jigger, long spoon, citrus juicer, and tall glass will handle most recipes in this guide.
Best Glasses
- Highball glass: Simple spirit-and-mixer drinks
- Collins glass: Collins cocktails and spritzes
- Wine glass: Spritzes, tonic drinks, and mocktails
- Copper mug: Traditional for mules
- Large tumbler: Casual juice-based long drinks
Ice Tips
- Fill the glass almost to the top with ice.
- Use clean ice without freezer odors.
- Larger, solid cubes melt more slowly.
- Avoid half-melted ice from an open bowl.
- Chill ingredients before mixing.
- Replace cracked or watery ice.
- Never reuse ice from a guest’s glass.
Carbonation Tips
- Open mixers just before serving.
- Add sparkling mixers last.
- Pour against the side of the glass.
- Stir gently instead of churning.
- Use small bottles for a few drinks.
- Keep opened mixers capped and cold.
- Do not make fizzy pitchers hours early.
Garnish Tips
- Express citrus peel over the glass for extra aroma.
- Use one garnish that matches the drink.
- Slap mint gently instead of crushing it.
- Cut citrus shortly before serving.
- Avoid oversized fruit towers that block the glass.
- Wash herbs and fruit before use.
- Keep garnishes cold during outdoor events.
How to Choose the Right Long Drink
The best long drink depends on your preferred flavor, occasion, and alcohol level. Choosing by taste is usually easier than choosing by spirit.
Use the chart below when you want a quick recommendation. Most recipes can also be adapted with a zero-proof spirit or extra mixer.
| You Want | Best Choice | Main Flavor |
|---|---|---|
| Dry and simple | Whiskey Highball | Clean and spirit-forward |
| Citrusy and lightly sweet | Tom Collins | Lemon and gin |
| Tart and unsweetened | Gin Rickey | Lime and soda |
| Bitter and bubbly | Americano | Herbal and bittersweet |
| Spicy | Moscow Mule | Ginger and lime |
| Tropical | Pineapple Rum Highball | Pineapple and citrus |
| Grapefruit-forward | Paloma | Tart, salty, and fruity |
| Light aperitif | Porto Tónico | Floral and gently sweet |
| Finnish-style | Finnish Long Drink | Gin and grapefruit |
| Alcohol-free | Grapefruit Rosemary Highball | Herbal and citrusy |
| Party-friendly | Citrus Collins Pitcher | Fresh lemon and bubbles |
| Lower added sugar | Tequila Soda | Dry and crisp |
Classic Long Drink Recipes Everyone Should Know
Classic long drinks provide the strongest starting point for beginners. Their formulas are simple, familiar, and easy to adjust.
Use chilled ingredients and measure the spirit carefully. Each recipe below makes one drink.
Whiskey Highball
This is one of the cleanest ways to enjoy whiskey. Soda opens the aroma without covering the spirit.
Ingredients- 1½ ounces whiskey
- 4½ ounces chilled club soda
- Firm ice
- Lemon peel
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add the whiskey and stir for five seconds.
- Slowly add the soda water.
- Lift the mixture once with a spoon.
- Express the lemon peel over the drink.
Gin and Tonic
A gin and tonic can taste floral, citrusy, herbal, or dry. The result depends heavily on the tonic.
Ingredients- 1½ ounces gin
- 4 ounces chilled tonic water
- Firm ice
- Lime wedge or grapefruit peel
- Fill a tall glass with ice.
- Add the gin.
- Pour in the tonic slowly.
- Stir once from the bottom.
- Garnish with lime or grapefruit.
Tom Collins
The Tom Collins adds lemon and sugar to a gin highball. It should taste tart, lively, and only lightly sweet.
Ingredients- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¾ ounce simple syrup
- 2–3 ounces club soda
- Lemon wheel
- Shake the gin, lemon juice, and syrup with ice.
- Strain into an ice-filled Collins glass.
- Add club soda.
- Stir gently and add the lemon wheel.
Gin Rickey
A Gin Rickey is drier than a Tom Collins. Fresh lime provides most of the flavor.
Ingredients- 2 ounces gin
- ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
- 3–4 ounces club soda
- Lime shell or wheel
- Add the gin and lime to a tall glass.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Add club soda.
- Stir gently and garnish with lime.
Paloma
The Paloma pairs earthy tequila with tart grapefruit. A small pinch of salt makes the citrus taste fuller.
Ingredients- 2 ounces blanco tequila
- ¾ ounce fresh lime juice
- 3 ounces grapefruit soda
- Pinch of salt
- Grapefruit wedge
- Add tequila, lime, and salt to an ice-filled glass.
- Top with grapefruit soda.
- Stir once.
- Garnish with grapefruit.
Moscow Mule
A Moscow Mule combines vodka, lime, and ginger beer. Choose a mixer with a strong ginger bite.
Ingredients- 2 ounces vodka
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces chilled ginger beer
- Lime wedge
- Ice
- Fill a mug or tall glass with ice.
- Add the vodka and lime juice.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Stir gently and add the lime wedge.
Dark Rum and Ginger Beer
Dark rum adds molasses, spice, and caramel notes. Lime prevents the mixture from becoming heavy.
Ingredients- 2 ounces dark rum
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 4 ounces ginger beer
- Lime wheel
- Ice
- Add lime juice to an ice-filled glass.
- Pour in the ginger beer.
- Float or stir in the dark rum.
- Garnish with lime.
Americano
The Americano is a lower-proof aperitif-style long drink. It is bitter, herbal, and lightly sweet.
Ingredients- 1½ ounces bitter red aperitif
- 1½ ounces sweet vermouth
- 2–3 ounces club soda
- Orange slice
- Ice
- Add the aperitif and vermouth to an ice-filled glass.
- Top with club soda.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with orange.
Easy Long Drinks by Base Spirit
You do not need a large liquor cabinet to make useful long drinks. One spirit, a citrus fruit, and two mixers can create several options.
The following recipes offer easy alternatives to the best-known classics. Each makes one tall drink.
Vodka Cranberry Fizz
Ingredients: 1½ ounces vodka, 2 ounces cranberry juice, ½ ounce lime, 2 ounces soda
Taste: Tart, light, and fruit-forward
Method: Build over ice and top with soda
Garnish: Lime wheel
Pineapple Rum Highball
Ingredients: 1½ ounces white rum, 2 ounces pineapple juice, ½ ounce lime, 2 ounces soda
Taste: Tropical without being overly sweet
Method: Shake rum and juice, strain over ice, then add soda
Garnish: Lime wedge
Bourbon Ginger
Ingredients: 1½ ounces bourbon, 4 ounces ginger ale or ginger beer, lemon squeeze
Taste: Warm, spicy, and smooth
Method: Build over ice and stir once
Garnish: Lemon peel
Tequila Cucumber Soda
Ingredients: 1½ ounces blanco tequila, ¾ ounce lime, three cucumber slices, 3 ounces soda
Taste: Dry, green, and crisp
Method: Press cucumber gently, add tequila and lime, then ice and soda
Garnish: Thin cucumber ribbon
Finnish Long Drink and Lonkero
The phrase Finnish Long Drink has a more specific meaning than the broad cocktail category. In Finland, it commonly refers to lonkero, a ready-to-drink mixture traditionally built around gin and grapefruit.
The drink was introduced for the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games as a practical premixed option for busy hospitality venues. It became a lasting part of Finnish drink culture rather than a temporary event product.
Home-Style Finnish Long Drink
The original commercial formula is proprietary. This homemade version captures the central gin, grapefruit, citrus, and soda profile.
Ingredients- 1½ ounces dry gin
- 1 ounce pink grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 3 ounces chilled club soda
- Grapefruit peel
- Ice
- Add the gin, grapefruit juice, lemon, and syrup to a shaker.
- Shake briefly with ice.
- Strain into an ice-filled highball glass.
- Add club soda.
- Stir once and garnish with grapefruit peel.
Easy Variations
- Use grapefruit soda and omit the syrup.
- Add cranberry juice for a berry version.
- Replace lemon with lime for a sharper finish.
- Use rosemary syrup for an herbal note.
- Add a splash of tonic for more bitterness.
- Use a zero-proof gin for an alcohol-free version.
- Serve with a grapefruit wedge instead of peel.
- Reduce syrup when using sweet grapefruit soda.
Japanese Highballs and Chu-Hi
In Japan, the term highball often refers specifically to whisky and soda. The drink depends on cold glassware, clear flavor, controlled dilution, and lively carbonation.
Chu-hi is another tall Japanese-style drink. It commonly combines shochu with soda and fruit flavor, though canned versions come in many strengths and flavors.
Japanese Whisky Highball
Ingredients- 1½ ounces Japanese whisky
- 4½ ounces very cold soda water
- Clear or firm ice
- Lemon peel, optional
- Chill the glass.
- Fill it completely with ice.
- Add whisky and stir briefly.
- Add soda slowly.
- Lift once with a bar spoon.
- Add lemon peel only when desired.
Lemon Chu-Hi
Ingredients- 1½ ounces shochu
- ¾ ounce fresh lemon juice
- ¼–½ ounce simple syrup
- 4 ounces club soda
- Lemon wheel
- Ice
- Add shochu, lemon, and syrup to a tall glass.
- Fill with ice.
- Top with soda.
- Stir gently and garnish with lemon.
Wine and Aperitif Long Drinks
Wine and aperitif drinks can provide lighter alternatives to spirit-heavy cocktails. They often combine fortified wine, bitter aperitifs, sparkling wine, or soda.
These options work especially well before dinner. Keep opened wine and vermouth refrigerated.
Porto Tónico
Ingredients: 2 ounces white port, 4 ounces tonic water, lemon peel
Taste: Floral, gently sweet, and bitter
Method: Build over ice in a wine glass
Variation: Add mint or cucumber
Hugo Spritz
Ingredients: 1 ounce elderflower liqueur, 3 ounces sparkling wine, 2 ounces soda
Taste: Floral, minty, and lightly sweet
Method: Build over ice and stir gently
Garnish: Mint and lime wheel
Bicicletta
Ingredients: 1½ ounces bitter red aperitif, 2½ ounces dry white wine, 2 ounces soda
Taste: Bitter, dry, and citrus-friendly
Method: Build over ice
Garnish: Orange wheel
French 75 Highball
Ingredients: 1 ounce gin, ½ ounce lemon, ½ ounce syrup, 3 ounces sparkling wine
Taste: Tart, elegant, and bubbly
Method: Shake gin, lemon, and syrup; strain and top with wine
Garnish: Lemon twist
Non-Alcoholic Long Drinks and Mocktails
Alcohol-free long drinks should offer more than sweet juice and soda. Acidity, bitterness, herbs, tea, ginger, and salt can provide structure.
Use zero-proof spirits when you enjoy their flavor, but they are not required. Check product labels when avoiding alcohol completely, since some bitters and beverages may contain trace amounts.
Grapefruit Rosemary Highball
Ingredients- 2 ounces grapefruit juice
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- ½ ounce rosemary syrup
- 4 ounces club soda
- Rosemary sprig
- Add the juice and syrup to an ice-filled glass.
- Top with soda.
- Stir gently.
- Garnish with rosemary.
Fresh Lime Rickey
Ingredients- 1 ounce fresh lime juice
- ½ ounce simple syrup
- 5 ounces soda water
- Lime wheel
- Add lime juice and syrup to a tall glass.
- Fill with ice.
- Add soda and stir once.
- Adjust sweetness as needed.
Pineapple Ginger Cooler
Ingredients- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- ½ ounce lime juice
- 4 ounces nonalcoholic ginger beer
- Mint sprig
- Add pineapple and lime to an ice-filled glass.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Stir gently and garnish with mint.
Cucumber Citrus Tonic
Ingredients- Four cucumber slices
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- 4 ounces tonic water
- 1 ounce soda water
- Lemon peel
- Press the cucumber gently in the glass.
- Add lemon and ice.
- Top with tonic and soda.
- Stir once and add lemon peel.
Lower-Sugar and Lower-Alcohol Long Drinks
A long drink is not automatically low in sugar or alcohol. Tonic, cola, lemonade, juice, ginger beer, liqueurs, and flavored sodas can add substantial sweetness.
Likewise, a tall cocktail can contain several measures of alcohol. The glass size tells you little unless you know the ingredients and amounts.
Ways to Reduce Added Sugar
- Use unsweetened club soda as the main mixer.
- Choose fresh citrus instead of bottled sour mix.
- Measure syrup rather than pouring freely.
- Dilute sweet tonic with soda water.
- Compare labels on ginger beer and grapefruit soda.
- Use fruit juice as an accent.
- Avoid sweet liqueur when soda is already sweet.
- Use herbs, peel, tea, and spices for flavor.
Lower-Sugar Drink Ideas
- Tequila, lime, and soda
- Gin Rickey
- Whiskey and soda
- Vodka soda with grapefruit peel
- Dry vermouth and soda
- Unsweetened iced tea highball
- Cucumber lime mocktail
- Half grapefruit soda, half plain soda
Ways to Lower the Alcohol
- Use 1 ounce of spirit instead of 2 ounces.
- Increase soda water rather than sweet mixer.
- Choose vermouth, sherry, or an aperitif.
- Alternate alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks.
- Avoid recipes with several spirits.
- Measure every pour with a jigger.
- Use smaller wine or aperitif portions.
- Ask for a single rather than a double.
Party Pitcher and Batch Long Drinks
Long drinks can work well for parties, but carbonation needs special handling. Prepare the still ingredients early, then add ice and sparkling mixers shortly before serving.
The recipes below make about eight servings. Use a large pitcher with enough room for ice and fruit.
Citrus Collins Pitcher
Ingredients- 12 ounces gin
- 6 ounces fresh lemon juice
- 4½ ounces simple syrup
- 16–20 ounces club soda
- Lemon wheels
- Ice
- Combine the gin, lemon juice, and syrup.
- Refrigerate until guests arrive.
- Add soda shortly before serving.
- Pour over fresh ice.
- Garnish each glass with lemon.
Grapefruit Tequila Pitcher
Ingredients- 12 ounces blanco tequila
- 5 ounces lime juice
- 24 ounces grapefruit soda
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- Grapefruit wedges
- Ice
- Mix the tequila, lime, and salt.
- Chill the mixture.
- Add grapefruit soda before serving.
- Pour over ice.
- Garnish with grapefruit.
Zero-Proof Pineapple Citrus Punch
Ingredients- 16 ounces pineapple juice
- 8 ounces grapefruit juice
- 4 ounces lime juice
- 16 ounces club soda
- 8 ounces nonalcoholic ginger beer
- Mint and citrus slices
- Combine the juices and refrigerate.
- Add soda and ginger beer before serving.
- Pour into ice-filled glasses.
- Garnish with mint and citrus.
Batch-Service Rules
- Keep the pitcher cold throughout service.
- Add bubbles just before serving.
- Place ice in glasses instead of storing it in the pitcher.
- Label alcoholic and nonalcoholic pitchers clearly.
- Keep garnishes in chilled containers.
- Do not return unused drinks from glasses to the pitcher.
- Refrigerate juice mixtures promptly.
- Discard anything that smells fermented or appears spoiled.
Seasonal Long Drinks for Every Time of Year
Long drinks are often linked with warm weather, but the format works throughout the year. Seasonal produce, herbs, spices, and mixers can change the character completely.
Keep the structure familiar and change only one or two ingredients. This produces better balance than adding every seasonal flavor at once.
Spring
- Elderflower spritz with mint
- Cucumber gin highball
- Strawberry lime soda
- Rhubarb Collins
- Grapefruit rosemary mocktail
- White port and tonic
- Green tea vodka highball
- Lemon basil fizz
Summer
- Paloma
- Mojito-style rum highball
- Finnish Long Drink
- Pineapple rum soda
- Ranch Water
- Cucumber tonic mocktail
- Watermelon lime cooler
- Lemon chu-hi
Fall
- Apple bourbon ginger
- Pear and tonic highball
- Cranberry Finnish-style long drink
- Spiced rum and soda
- Black tea whiskey highball
- Pomegranate spritz
- Ginger apple mocktail
- Dry cider aperitif
Winter
- Blood orange gin and tonic
- Cranberry rosemary Collins
- Whiskey ginger
- Spiced grapefruit highball
- Pomegranate Americano
- Ginger pear mocktail
- Sparkling citrus punch
- Black tea and lemon highball
Common Long-Drink Mistakes
Most long-drink problems come from temperature, proportion, or weak carbonation. Expensive ingredients will not fix poor preparation.
Correcting a few small habits can improve almost every tall cocktail. Start with cold ingredients, measured pours, and fresh ice.
Using Too Little Ice
A small amount of ice melts quickly and dilutes the drink. Fill the glass fully with firm ice.
Using Warm Mixer
Warm soda loses carbonation faster and melts more ice. Refrigerate mixers before opening them.
Pouring Without Measuring
Free-pouring can make a tall drink far stronger than expected. Use a jigger or marked measuring cup.
Stirring Too Aggressively
Hard stirring knocks out bubbles. Move a bar spoon gently from the bottom to the top.
Adding Soda Before Shaking
Never shake a carbonated mixer in a sealed cocktail shaker. Shake only the still ingredients.
Using Old Citrus
Dry wedges and bottled juice can make a simple drink taste dull. Use fresh citrus when it is central to the recipe.
Making Every Drink Sweet
Sweet soda, syrup, juice, and liqueur can quickly become excessive. Select one main sweet ingredient.
Overloading the Garnish
Too many herbs, wheels, flowers, and fruit pieces interfere with drinking. One useful garnish is enough.
Preparing Fizzy Pitchers Too Early
Carbonation fades during storage. Add soda, tonic, sparkling wine, or ginger beer before service.
Assuming Tall Means Weak
Some tall cocktails contain several spirits. Always check the recipe and serving size.
How to Order a Long Drink at a Bar
Clear ordering helps the bartender understand your preferred spirit, mixer, sweetness, and garnish. You do not need complicated cocktail language.
Begin with a familiar drink, then state one useful adjustment. Avoid giving a long list of changes during busy service.
Easy Orders
- “A whiskey highball with lemon, please.”
- “Tequila soda with fresh lime.”
- “Gin and tonic, not too sweet.”
- “Vodka soda with grapefruit.”
- “An Americano with extra soda.”
- “A Paloma with a light salt rim.”
- “Dark rum and ginger beer with lime.”
- “A nonalcoholic grapefruit soda with lime.”
Questions Worth Asking
- Is the tonic dry or sweet?
- Is the ginger beer nonalcoholic?
- Can the drink be made as a single?
- Do you have an alcohol-free spirit?
- Is the grapefruit mixer sweetened?
- Can soda replace part of the tonic?
- Does the drink contain caffeine?
- Does the house version use several spirits?
What “Tall” Usually Means
Ordering a drink “tall” often means serving the same spirit amount in a larger glass with more mixer. It should not mean receiving a double unless you request one.
Bar language varies, so confirm when alcohol amount matters. A simple question is better than making assumptions.
FAQs
Are all highballs long drinks?
Most highballs are long drinks because they combine a spirit with a larger amount of mixer in a tall glass. However, not every long drink is a simple highball.
Collins cocktails, spritzes, bucks, and complex juice-based drinks can also belong to the broader long-drink category.
What is the best ratio for a long drink?
A useful starting point is 1½ ounces of spirit with 4–5 ounces of mixer. Stronger flavors may need more mixer, while delicate spirits may need less.
Add citrus and syrup in small amounts, then taste. Mixer sweetness can change the ideal ratio.
What is the difference between a long drink and a short drink?
A long drink has more total liquid and usually more mixer. It is commonly served over ice in a highball or Collins glass.
A short drink has less volume and may be served in a rocks, coupe, or cocktail glass. Short does not always mean stronger, but the flavor is often more concentrated.
Is a Long Island Iced Tea a long drink?
Yes, it is served as a tall mixed drink. However, it is much stronger than a typical one-spirit highball because it contains several spirits.
Its name refers to its tea-like appearance. It does not usually contain actual iced tea.
What is the Finnish Long Drink?
The Finnish Long Drink, or lonkero, is traditionally associated with gin and grapefruit flavor. It became popular after being introduced for the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games.
Commercial versions are commonly sold ready to drink. A home version can use gin, grapefruit juice, citrus, and soda.
Can long drinks be made without alcohol?
Yes. Use soda, tonic, tea, juice, ginger beer, herbs, citrus, or a zero-proof spirit.
A good mocktail still needs balance. Combine acidity, sweetness, aroma, texture, and some bitterness instead of relying only on juice.
Can I batch long drinks ahead of time?
You can mix the spirit, juice, syrup, tea, or other still ingredients in advance. Refrigerate the mixture in a covered container.
Add ice and carbonated ingredients close to serving time. This prevents watery texture and flat bubbles.
Which long drinks contain the least added sugar?
Drinks based on club soda, fresh citrus, and measured spirit usually contain less added sugar than drinks made with cola, sweet tonic, ginger beer, or syrup.
Good options include a Gin Rickey, whiskey soda, tequila soda, or vodka soda. Always check packaged mixer labels.
What are the easiest long drinks for beginners?
Start with a whiskey highball, gin and tonic, vodka soda, bourbon ginger, or tequila soda. These drinks require no shaker.
Measure the spirit, use cold mixer, fill the glass with ice, and stir gently.
Conclusion
Long drinks are among the most flexible beverages you can make at home. A simple mix of base, ice, citrus, and chilled mixer can become a classic highball, Collins cocktail, spritz, Finnish lonkero, or mocktail.
Start with one recipe that matches your favorite flavor. Once the balance feels right, change the spirit, mixer, citrus, or garnish to create your own reliable house drink.