Drinks & Beverage Culture

Swedish Beverages

• Aquavit (Brännvin/Snaps): Potato or grain spirit flavored with caraway, dill, anise, or fennel. A must with Smörgåsbord and Kräftskiva — served cold, accompanied by a "Snapsvisa" (drinking song). O.P. Anderson (since 1891), Skåne Akvavit, and Hallands Fläder (elderflower) are the most famous brands. The etiquette: raise the glass, make eye contact, sing a song, drink in one go, place the glass on the table, make eye contact.
• Craft Beer: Sweden's craft beer scene is booming and is one of the most creative in Europe: Omnipollo (Stockholm — the smoothie IPAs and pastry stouts are legendary), Stigbergets (Gothenburg — West Coast hops), Dugges (Gothenburg — experimental and wild), Brekeriet (Malmö — sour ales). Many breweries have their own taprooms — an evening in Stockholm's or Gothenburg's craft beer scene is an experience.
• Coffee: Sweden's true passion — the country is among the top 3 coffee consumers in the world per capita. → Fika chapter.
• Julmust: Non-alcoholic malt drink that dethrones cola at Christmas (Jul) — Coca-Cola has its worst month in Sweden in December because the whole country drinks Julmust. There is also Påskmust at Easter — the same drink, different label (and everyone knows it, but drinks it anyway).
• Glögg: Swedish mulled wine with almonds and raisins in the glass — THE Advent drink. Accompanied by Pepparkakor (gingerbread) and Lussekatter.

Alcohol Prices in Comparison

Beverage	Systembolaget	Restaurant/Bar
Beer (0.5l, Starköl)	25–45 SEK (2–4 €)	70–100 SEK (6–9 €)
Wine (bottle)	80–200 SEK (7–17 €)*	350–700 SEK (30–61 €)
Aquavit/Snaps (0.7l)	250–400 SEK (22–35 €)*	80–150 SEK (glass)
Cocktail	—	150–195 SEK (13–17 €)

* Only available at Systembolaget. → Details in the Practical Info chapter: Systembolaget.