Drinks & Alcohol
Coffee — Finland's Number 1 Drug
As mentioned: Finns are world champions in coffee drinking (12 kg per capita per year). Traditional Finnish coffee is lightly roasted and filter-brewed — strong, clear, and without any frothy milk fuss. However, in cities, third-wave coffee with specialty roasts has also become popular. Good chains: Robert's Coffee (Finnish), Kaffa Roastery (Helsinki). A cup of coffee costs 3–5€.
Alcohol
Finland has a complicated relationship with alcohol. Alcohol policy is strict: Beer and cider (up to 5.5% ABV) are available in supermarkets, but wine, spirits, and stronger beer are only sold in Alko stores — the state alcohol monopoly (similar to Systembolaget in Sweden). Alko opening hours: Mon–Fri 9 am–8 pm, Sat 9 am–6 pm, closed on Sundays.
In restaurants and bars, alcohol is extremely expensive: A beer (0.5l) costs 7–10€, a glass of wine 9–14€, a cocktail 14–18€. Many Finns therefore drink at home beforehand (pre-drinking) or bring alcohol from ferries to Estonia or Sweden (duty-free).
Finnish Drinks
- Lonkero — Gin-grapefruit long drink, invented for the Helsinki Olympics in 1952. The quintessential Finnish summer drink. Available in supermarkets (2–3€ per can) and every bar.
- Sahti — Traditional Finnish beer, brewed with juniper and filtered through spruce twigs. Cloudy, thick, and up to 10% strong. A rarity found in traditional breweries or markets.
- Lakka-Likör — Cloudberry liqueur, sweet and aromatic. THE Finnish souvenir drink.
- Sima — Lightly alcoholic lemon drink, traditionally consumed during Vappu (May 1st).
- Glögi — Finnish mulled wine, ubiquitous in winter. Often served with almonds and raisins.
