A Taste of the Finnish Forest in a Glass
There’s something magical about early mornings in the Finnish woods. The kind of magic that doesn’t scream for your attention but just… whispers. Every now and then, when the bar life slows down, I take Sora out to Nuuksio or Sipoonkorpi. It’s our little ritual: strong coffee in a thermos, a quiet trail, and my dog zigzagging through the moss like he owns the joint. That crisp scent of pine and birch, the damp earth, the wild berries peeking from under leaves—it’s a scent memory you never forget. I wanted to bottle that feeling somehow. Forest Whisper was my attempt.
The first time I served this cocktail was actually in Lapland, at an outdoor wedding I was bartending. The couple were both avid hikers, and they wanted a signature drink that would remind them of all the times they’d spent under the Arctic sky, by the fire, wrapped in wool and the silence of the fells. No pressure, right? But as I started playing around with ingredients—juniper-forward gin, a hint of birch syrup, tart cloudberry liqueur—I felt like I was onto something. I added a drop of Islay whisky for a smoky edge and a dash of bitters for balance, and boom. It felt like stepping into a shadowy spruce forest at dawn.
I’ve since served Forest Whisper in Helsinki bars during talvi-ilta tastings, and even the most hardened city dwellers give me that raised eyebrow and quiet “wow” after the first sip. It’s herbal and wild, but balanced. You can almost hear the trees creaking and the wind brushing through the canopy.
Â
About the Ingredients
Gin (e.g., Kyrö Napue or Arctic Blue Gin)
At the heart of this drink is a solid Nordic-style gin. I lean toward Finnish gins like Kyrö Napue, which is heavy on rye and botanicals like sea buckthorn and birch, or Arctic Blue Gin, which brings a wild blueberry note into the mix. Both are available in Alko, and both carry that unmistakably foresty, earthy profile that fits the theme like a wool sock in November.
Cloudberry Liqueur (Lakka)
Cloudberries—or lakka, as they’re known here—are one of those golden treasures of the North. Tart, slightly funky, and beautifully fragrant, they add a deep layer of Nordic wilderness to the drink. The most common option in Alko is Lapponia Lakka, and it works like a charm. Just a touch of this turns the drink from “hmm interesting” to “whoa, what is that?”
Birch Syrup
This one might sound a bit exotic, but it’s actually not that hard to find in Finland—many local food markets and organic stores carry it, especially during harvest seasons. It’s like a more complex cousin to maple syrup: slightly smoky, tangy, and woodsy. Just a few drops add richness and forest floor depth to the cocktail. Plus, how much more Finnish can you get than tapping a koivu?
Islay Single Malt Scotch (e.g., Laphroaig 10 or Ardbeg)
This is where we sneak in the savusauna vibe. A dash of smoky Islay whisky—just a few drops—isn’t about making it a whisky drink, but about layering in the scent of wood smoke and peat. It ties together the gin’s juniper, the birch’s sweetness, and the cloudberry’s tartness in a magical way. Both Laphroaig 10 and Ardbeg are available at Alko and do the trick.
Aromatic Bitters (e.g., Angostura)
To balance out the sweetness and round off the flavor profile, we add a couple dashes of aromatic bitters. It’s like seasoning in cooking—you don’t always notice it’s there, but you’d miss it if it wasn’t. Angostura is classic and readily available in Finland.
🌿 Forest Whisper
A smoky, herbal Nordic cocktail that captures the essence of a Finnish forest. Gin, cloudberry liqueur, birch syrup, and a float of peated whisky create a balanced, aromatic sip.
Ingredients
4 cl Finnish gin (e.g., Kyrö Napue or Arctic Blue)
1.5 cl cloudberry liqueur (Lapponia Lakka)
0.5 cl birch syrup
2 dashes aromatic bitters (e.g., Angostura)
0.5 cl Islay single malt (e.g., Laphroaig 10), floated
Ice
Directions
- Chill your glass.
Pop your coupe or tumbler in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you build the drink. - Build and stir.
In a mixing glass, combine gin, cloudberry liqueur, birch syrup, and bitters with plenty of ice. Stir for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and diluted. - Strain into glass.
Dump the ice from your chilled glass and strain the cocktail into it, nice and clean. - Float the whisky.
Using the back of a spoon, gently float the Islay whisky over the top of the drink. It’ll add that haunting whisper of smoke with each sip. - Garnish.
Lightly slap a rosemary sprig and perch it on the rim or float it gently on top for an extra olfactory punch. Totally optional, but very metsä.
Kaitsu’s Notes
- This one’s for the forest lovers, the silent wanderers, and anyone who’s ever stopped mid-hike just to breathe in that fresh metsäilma. Forest Whisper is one of those cocktails that plays with contrasts: sweet and tart, smoky and fresh, wild and elegant. It’s complex but not complicated—just like Finnish nature itself.
- Birch syrup can be quite potent, so if yours is particularly strong, dial it down to 0.25 cl and taste first. You can always add more.
- Want to make it a bit brighter? Add a dash of lemon bitters or a tiny squeeze of lemon juice—but keep it minimal to avoid overpowering the subtle notes.
- If rosemary feels too intense, a sprig of thyme or even a couple of juniper berries rolled between your fingers will get the forest vibe across nicely.
- And if you're enjoying this by the fire with a wool blanket and Sora snuggled at your feet? You're doing it exactly right.