Lonkero Becomes The Drink Of The Summer

The Summer Sip of 2025: Why a Finnish Favourite is Tipping the UK's Tumblers

Every year, a quiet but determined search unfolds. It is a quest that mirrors the annual pursuit of a musical summer anthem, seeking a liquid counterpart to capture the season's essence. The ideal candidate should appear as if from nowhere, an unknown entity in May that becomes utterly essential by August. It should define a specific time, a beverage that, years later, tastes overwhelmingly of one particular summer. This tradition, a low-stakes cultural touchstone, offers a snapshot of collective taste, a consensus in a glass.

A Fragmented Modern Palate

In recent years, achieving this consensus has grown difficult. A saturated consumer culture presents an endless parade of options, from smoked beers to niche orange wines. This atomised landscape makes it hard for a single drink to gain universal traction. The relentless trend cycle, accelerated by social media platforms, often promotes fleeting concoctions that flare brightly but fade quickly. It is a challenge for any beverage to cut through the noise and achieve the organic, widespread adoption that defines a true summer classic.

An Unforeseen Contender for 2025

Yet, this year feels different. A frontrunner has emerged not through a viral marketing campaign or a celebrity endorsement, but through a more traditional, almost nostalgic, pattern of discovery. It has spread through conversations, recommendations from friends, and its insistent appearance in local pubs. The drink capturing the popular imagination is Lonkero, a refreshingly simple mix of gin and grapefruit soda. Served on draught in pints, it presents a compelling case for this year's crown, though the friendly arguments over the top choice are a beloved part of the tradition.

The Lonkero Phenomenon – A Finnish Legend Arrives

The story of Lonkero’s arrival in the United Kingdom is one of quiet, organic growth. It began with personal discoveries, like a friend messaging a group chat in mid-June, preoccupied with a new pub find. Soon, another friend was converted, buying a case after a single taste. The name started cropping up in different social circles, from gyms to offices, signalling a genuine groundswell of interest. Before long, tell-tale pint glasses with grapefruit wedges began populating pub tables across certain cities, most notably Norwich, suggesting a city-wide adoption.

An Olympic Origin Story

Though new to many in Britain, the beverage's origins trace back over seventy years to the Olympic Games held in Helsinki in 1952. With an influx of international visitors, Finland’s state-controlled alcohol monopoly, Alko, needed a solution for busy bars to serve drinks quickly. They commissioned two pre-mixed drinks: a brandy-based beverage and the enduring gin-and-grapefruit combination. Known as lonkero, the Finnish term for "long drink," it was an immediate success with locals and tourists alike and became a permanent fixture in Finnish culture.

A National Drink Goes Global

In Finland, the long drink is ubiquitous, considered the nation's signature beverage and available on tap in saunas and restaurants. Its journey to the UK was initiated by Joe Harris, who acquired a taste for the drink during a work assignment in Finland's capital. He partnered with Paige Gibbons to establish Lonkero Drinks, a UK-based startup aiming to introduce the Finnish classic to a new audience. Their version adds a subtle twist with hints of pine and lime, earning them the Best New Alcohol Drinks Start-Up award at the In-Drinks show.

The Norwich Enigma

The brand has found surprising success in key UK areas. Strongholds include Brighton, various parts of London, and Edinburgh. However, Norwich has become its unlikely epicentre. Paige Gibbons, one of the co-founders, confirmed the city is performing exceptionally well. This regional popularity, built without a major marketing push, highlights the drink's appeal. It has spread by word-of-mouth, with drinkers discovering it in one pub and then finding it in another, creating a sense of local momentum that feels both authentic and powerful in today's globalised market.

Image Credit - Lonkero

A New Category in a Pint Glass

Lonkero’s founders believe it occupies its own unique space in the market. By offering it on draught, they position it as a refreshing, pint-sized alternative to session ales and ciders. This strategy appeals directly to drinkers like Gibbons, who, as someone who does not enjoy beer, often felt she was paying more for smaller, less satisfying drinks. Within the initial half-year of trading, the company achieved sales exceeding 50,000 pints, proving a significant market exists for such an alternative.

The Enduring Allure of Spice – Tequila's Unwavering Reign

The global appetite for agave spirits continues to surge, making tequila-based cocktails perennial summer favourites. The Margarita has remained the most popular cocktail in the United States for nearly a decade, and its influence is firmly felt in the UK. According to industry trend reports, tequila sales in Britain are projected to grow by an astonishing 88% between 2021 and 2026. This boom is driven by a consumer shift towards premium spirits and new, exciting flavour combinations that elevate classic recipes into modern experiences.

The Ascent of the Spicy Paloma

The spicy paloma stands out as a significant contender within this trend. It is a fusion of two drinks already in vogue: the spicy margarita and the paloma. The latter combines tequila, grapefruit soda, and lime. Adding jalapeño or another chilli provides a pleasant heat that enhances the citrus notes. This flavour profile, which creates a warm sensation, resonates with consumers seeking more complex and engaging drinks. The cocktail’s popularity is evident in its widespread availability in London's most fashionable bars and its frequent appearance across various online platforms.

Convenience Meets the Chilli Kick

Capitalising on this trend, the ready-to-drink market has enthusiastically embraced tequila and spice. Brands like MOTH have launched canned Spicy Margaritas, citing the spirit's growing popularity among UK drinkers. These products make complex flavour profiles accessible and convenient, perfect for festivals and outdoor gatherings. Pimentae, another premium RTD brand, recently launched a Grapefruit Margarita designed to be drunk as is or lengthened with soda to create an instant paloma. This adaptability further fuels the cocktail's summer dominance, bridging the gap between home drinking and bar-quality serves.

The Spritz Revolution Evolves Beyond the Aperol Wave

It can be argued that the Aperol spritz defined the modern phenomenon of a "drink of the summer." Its vibrant orange hue became synonymous with holidays and warm-weather socialising. For years, it was the undisputed champion, a vibrant sea of orange in every beer garden. However, as with any dominant trend, a counter-movement has emerged. Some drinkers now find it too sweet or overly familiar, prompting a search for fresh alternatives that still deliver that quintessential spritz experience of a large, effervescent drink in a statement glass.

The Understated Charm of the Hugo Spritz

This summer’s leading spritz alternative is the Hugo. A delicate and refreshing combination of prosecco, elderflower cordial, soda, lime, and a sprig of mint, it offers a more subtle and floral profile than its orange counterpart. Invented in 2005 by an Italian bartender, its popularity has surged recently, driven by social media and travellers returning from Europe. In 2023, UK searches for the Hugo Spritz skyrocketed by 281%, and its appeal continues to grow. Marks & Spencer have even launched a canned version, solidifying its place in the mainstream.

Limoncello Spritz: A Splash of Sunshine

The limoncello spritz presents itself as a bold and refreshing choice for those looking for something different from Aperol. Its bright, zesty yellow is visually striking, evoking Italian sunshine and leisurely post-dinner digestifs. This spritz replaces Aperol's bittersweet notes with the sweet, intense flavour of lemon liqueur, balanced with prosecco and soda. Its rise has been championed by various publications, and premium brands are launching more refined limoncellos designed specifically for spritzing, moving the liqueur beyond its traditional role as a simple digestif.

The Bartender's Handshake: Naked and Famous

Away from the mainstream spritz and seltzer trends, a more complex cocktail has attracted a growing cult following: the Naked and Famous. Joaquín Simó, a bartender in New York, first created the recipe in 2011. It is a balanced mix, using equal measures of yellow chartreuse, fresh lime juice, Aperol, and mezcal. Simó called it a more sophisticated take on the margarita, a "bastard love child" of the classic Last Word and the Paper Plane cocktails. Its smoky, bitter, and citrus notes create a perfectly balanced and deeply satisfying drink that appeals to seasoned cocktail enthusiasts.

Image Credit - Lonkero

The Chartreuse Conundrum

The availability of a key ingredient is the main challenge when trying to order this drink. Chartreuse is a herbal liqueur from France that has been made for centuries by Carthusian monks. In recent years, the monks decided to limit production to focus on their monastic life of solitude and prayer, creating a global shortage. This scarcity has made both green and the milder yellow Chartreuse difficult to find, forcing bartenders to become creative with substitutions or simply remove popular cocktails from their menus.

The New Wave of Drinking Culture - The Unmistakable Allure of BuzzBallz

Few drinks have captured the attention of Gen Z quite like BuzzBallz. These brightly coloured, spherical pre-mixed cocktails have become a social media sensation. Originally created by a Texas high-school teacher for a master's thesis project, the brand was acquired by drinks giant Sazerac in early 2024, a move that supercharged its distribution and visibility throughout the United Kingdom. With playful names like 'Choc Tease' and 'Lotta Colada', their appeal is as much about aesthetics and novelty as it is about the contents.

How Gen Z Crowned a Pre-Drink King

BuzzBallz's success is a case study in modern marketing. Their potent 13.5% ABV makes them an efficient pre-drink, while their unique, portable shape is perfect for social media posts, festivals, and park gatherings. The brand’s ascent was fuelled by TikTok, where user-generated taste tests and "flavour hunts" created a sense of viral excitement. In just twelve weeks after the Sazerac acquisition, BuzzBallz became the fastest-growing top 20 RTD brand in the UK, playing the same role for Gen Z that WKD once did for millennials.

Japan's Chilled Arrival: Suntory's Offering

For a mature yet still exciting RTD experience, consumers are turning to Japanese brands like Suntory. The company's -196 ("minus one nine six") is a vodka-based canned drink that is a staple in its native Japan. The name is a nod to the specific temperature used in its proprietary freezing process, where fruit is pulverised and then blended with vodka and shochu. This method is said to capture the whole fruit's flavour. Though their UK presence is growing, they offer a sophisticated alternative to sweeter alcopops.

The Seltzer Standard: White Claw's Evolution

No discussion of modern drinking trends is complete without mentioning White Claw. The brand that spearheaded the hard seltzer movement continues to innovate. Positioned not as a diet drink but as a lifestyle optimisation, it appeals to health-conscious consumers with its low-calorie count and clean taste. This year, for the summer season, the brand introduced a Green Apple special edition in the UK. The move demonstrates a commitment to seasonal drops that generate buzz and keep the brand at the forefront of the competitive RTD market.

Beyond the Alcoholic Mainstream

A significant driver of change in the beverage market is the growing "sober-curious" movement and a general trend towards health and wellness. In the UK, 30% of adults are actively trying to reduce their alcohol consumption, with the highest rate of non-drinkers found among those aged 18-24. This has fuelled huge growth in the low-and-no-alcohol sector. Brands are responding with high-quality 0.0% spirits and sophisticated adult soft drinks, ensuring that choosing not to drink alcohol no longer means compromising on flavour or experience.

Ranch Water: A Minimalist Approach

At the intersection of the tequila trend and the wellness movement sits "ranch water." Essentially a deconstructed margarita, it is a simple, refreshing mix of tequila, lime juice, and sparkling water. It offers a less sugary, more streamlined alternative to traditional cocktails, aligning with the preferences of consumers who want clean, simple ingredients. While purists keep it basic, some recipes suggest enhancing it with Cointreau and a salted rim, but its core appeal lies in its straightforward, unadorned nature, a perfect fit for a health-conscious summer.

Dessert in a Glass: The Coffee Trend

In cases where the season's most popular beverage is non-alcoholic, it often takes the form of a decadent, refreshing dessert. This year, tiramisu is the flavour capturing the public's imagination. This trend is visible everywhere, from Starbucks' limited-edition tiramisu-inspired menu to innovative local creations. A key component of its success is often 'cold foam.' This is a light, whipped dairy garnish placed on top of cold coffee drinks, adding texture and a touch of indulgence.

Bristol’s Unique Tiramibru

In Bristol, a unique take on this dessert-coffee trend comes from the Full Court Press cafe. Their creation, the Tiramibru, has become a local sensation. It is their version of the "Mont Blanc" coffee popular in East Asia, made with nitrogen-infused cold brew, which has a garnish of lightly whipped jersey cream, a sprinkle of cocoa powder and a hint of panela sugar. The co-owner notes that the flavour profile is reminiscent of a liquid tiramisu, which is how it got its name. The drink has been incredibly successful, despite its £5 price tag, and the cafe often has difficulty meeting the demand on hot days.

Conclusion: A Reflection in the Glass

The quest to find this summer's signature beverage is more than a frivolous pastime; it is a reflection of our shifting cultural landscape. The rise of Lonkero speaks to a desire for authenticity and organic discovery in a world of aggressive marketing. The enduring popularity of spicy tequila drinks and evolving spritzes shows our palates are growing more adventurous. Meanwhile, the dominance of BuzzBallz and the RTD category highlights the undeniable influence of social media and the demand for convenience. Finally, the parallel growth of sophisticated non-alcoholic options like the Tiramibru reveals a deeper trend towards wellness and mindful consumption. Whatever fills your glass this summer, it tells a story about the moment we live in.