🥃 The Jallu Jam
If you’re looking for a modern Jaloviina cocktail that balances tradition with bold new flavours, The Jallu Jam is your answer. Inspired by classic Finnish ingredients like Jaloviina and cloudberry liqueur, this cocktail blends old-school charm with fresh energy — making it the perfect summer drink for your next mökki getaway, sauna session, or backyard hangout.
When I first moved to Helsinki from the UK over a decade ago, Jaloviina was the first real test of my cultural integration. My Finnish friends welcomed me with shots of Jallu in a steamy lakeside sauna — in November. It didn’t go well. After three rounds, I was horizontal in the snow, wondering what I’d gotten myself into. But over the years, I’ve grown to love Jaloviina for its no-nonsense attitude, oaky depth, and ability to sneak up on you like a silent Finnish winter.
As a bartender with a passion for reimagining traditional spirits, I wanted to create a cocktail with Jaloviina that felt fresh, drinkable, and proudly Finnish. That’s how The Jallu Jam was born — a playful mix of cloudberry liqueur, lemon juice, ginger beer, and a sprig of rosemary to keep things fragrant and balanced. It’s easy to make, surprisingly elegant, and a definite crowd-pleaser for fans of both classic and modern Nordic drinks.
My Shiba Inu, Sora, usually gives me the side-eye when I start experimenting with new recipes. But even he seemed impressed with this one — or maybe it was just the rosemary he wanted to chew on.
Whether you’re a lifelong Jallu fan or discovering it for the first time, this is the cocktail that shows off its best side. Pair it with good company, a crackling sauna, and a Finnish summer evening, and you’ve got yourself a new classic.
🧪 About the Ingredients
Jaloviina
Ah, Jaloviina — the one-star wonder. Technically a cut brandy (a blend of cognac and neutral spirits), it was first created in 1932 as an affordable, practical option during harder times. Jallu carries a soft oaky warmth from the brandy, with a clean, sharp finish from the grain spirit. It’s traditionally drunk neat (especially in saunas), but it actually makes a killer base for cocktails if you know how to tame it.
Fun fact: There’s also a 2-star version (more brandy, a bit smoother) and the mythical 3-star Jallu, which pops up only on special occasions.
Cloudberry Liqueur (Lakkalikööri)
Cloudberries — or lakka in Finnish — are golden little berries that grow wild in Arctic bogs. They’re tart, fragrant, and kind of magical. Lakkalikööri is made by infusing these berries into spirits and sweetening the mix. It’s sweet and syrupy with a honeyed, apricot-like tang — and honestly, it tastes like Finnish summer in a bottle. Perfect contrast to the bite of Jallu.
Lemon Juice
A bit of acidity keeps things in balance. Without the lemon, the cocktail gets a little too cozy. That fresh citrus zing is the thing that brings everything into focus.
Ginger Beer
Spicy, fizzy, and warming — like a sauna in a glass. It gives The Jallu Jam its liveliness and lift, adding just enough sweetness to round everything out.
Rosemary
Rosemary and brandy are a surprisingly sexy pair. The herbal note adds an earthy aroma that plays beautifully with the warmth of the Jallu and the jammy lakkalikööri. Bonus: it makes you look like you know what you’re doing, even if you don’t.
The Jallu Jam
Jaloviina — or "Jallu" as the locals lovingly call it — is a true Finnish legend. It’s that half-brandy, half-vodka hybrid that's somehow rough and smooth at the same time. 😄 Every Finn over a certain age has a Jallu story (or two), and honestly, I’ve got a few myself from early days trying to impress my in-laws… let's just say it involved sauna, Jallu, and me thinking I could outdrink a Finn. Spoiler alert: I could not.
Ingredients
4 cl Jaloviina (the classic 1-star if you want to go full retro)
2 cl Cloudberry liqueur (lakkalikööri — if you want to be extra Finnish)
2 cl freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cl simple syrup
Top with ginger beer
Ice
A sprig of rosemary for garnish (because we’re fancy but still rugged, like Jallu itself)
Directions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour the Jaloviina, cloudberry liqueur, lemon juice, and syrup over the ice.
- Give it a quick stir.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Slap the rosemary sprig between your hands to release the aroma and tuck it into the glass.
- Take a sip and imagine yourself sitting by a lake at a mökki (cottage), Sora chasing seagulls, and the sauna heating up.
Notes
- Why it works:
The slight oakiness of Jaloviina pairs surprisingly well with the sweet-tart cloudberry flavor and the spicy kick of ginger beer. The lemon keeps it from getting too heavy, and the rosemary just smells like a summer forest. Täydellinen.