Here is a comprehensive list of the must-try drinks in Iceland for a more meaningful experience.
Iceland is one of the world’s coldest countries as it lies in the extreme north of the temperate zone.
Almost all of the country gets covered in snow or ice during a large part of the year. To warm themselves, the locals indulge in alcohol and other drinks.
For that, brewing has become an essential part of the Icelandic culture, just like their counterpart countries in the Scandinavian region. The locals were able to develop various alcoholic drinks, ranging from craft beers to hard spirits.
Visitors will usually find the best bottle deals at the duty-free shop in the airport when they arrive in Iceland. For them to make friends and enjoy the best atmosphere, it’s best for visitors to proceed to a local bar. But don’t forget to drink responsibly.
Before heading to Iceland, make sure to be familiarized with the beverage options to try at the local pub. So when it’s time to order, you know exactly what you’ll want to taste.
Popular Drinks in Iceland: Practical Traveler’s Guide
Viking Gold
Beer was illegal in Iceland from 1915 to March 1, 1980, when the government began easing restrictions on beverages. Since then, the locals have been celebrating this significant part of history as Beer Day.
Much has changed since the ban was lifted, and both locals and tourists alike have developed an intense taste for Viking Gold Beer.
It has become a favorite option in household and bar settings. This type of Viking Beer is considered a strong lager beer with coffee and caramel-like flavor and a light gold color.
Bjorliki
As mentioned earlier, the government imposed a ban on beer for many decades, compelling the Icelanders to plan for innovation. Here’s what they did. They experimented on the low alcohol content Pilsner beer, which was legal at that time, and combined it with vodka.
The mixture yielded a uniquely-flavored Bjorliki, which remains a popular Icelandic drink up to this day. For the best versions, visitors should head out to the countryside or the rural communities.
Opal
Opal has the same flavor with a specific licorice brand from which it was derived, making it one of the most popular drinks in Iceland. Children who’re used to the candy stage often bypass the sweets to treat themselves at Opal.
The drink, however, is not that appealing to everyone, especially among tourists, because it tastes like cough medicine.
Fjallagrasa Moss Schnapps
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Fjallagrasa Moss Schnapps is one of the Iceland alcohol drinks fermented naturally with not added artificial ingredients. It consists of an ocean moss that is soaked in an alcoholic solution.
The Icelanders have long used the drink as medicine for people with colds or cough. Thus, it’s not only a drink for enjoyment or refreshment but as a healing mechanism.
Topas
Known for its sweet and strong flavor, Topas tastes like cough syrup to many outsiders and like candy to locals. That’s because of its composition of sweet licorice and many herbs found only in the country.
It’s one of the popular drinks for youngsters because of its low alcohol level, making it taste more like a fruit juice.
Egils Sterkur
When the general public was allowed to drink beer after many years of ban on beer, Egils Sterkur became a huge hit. It comes with a strong 6.2 alcohol content, making it one of the old-time favorites of the Icelanders.
That gives the Egils Sterkur a more bitter taste, and many locals, including tourists, love that. It is one of the can’t-miss Iceland beers.
Reyka Vodka
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For the Icelanders, Reyka Vodka is not only the best vodka in Iceland but in the whole world. That’s because the locals source the water used to brew Reyka from a 4000-year-old lava plain. Expect a taste of vanilla flavoring, which comes with a smooth warmth.
Because it is brewed in one of the coldest countries on Earth, Reyka Vodka is considered as one of the most unique.
Egils Gull
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Egis Gull has around 5 percent alcohol content, making it one of the lighter options of the Egils beers. It comes with a malty flavor with citrusy hints and a level of sweetness. It has a golden color, adding to its appealing feature.
Isafold Gin
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Icelandic gin is the ideal option for those who don’t like vodka and schnapps. One of the popular brands is the Isafold Gin, which has a smooth taste with slightly dry features that goes down easy.
The taste is classic and consistent, although the bottle may not be that fancy or high-end. It’s one of the best Island vodkas to try.
Brennivin
Considered as a type of unsweetened Schanpps, Brennivin is one of the most famous drinks in Scandinavian countries, including Iceland. It consists of potato mash with seasoned angelica, cumin, and caraway. It has a typical 80 proof and a very distinct taste, which only you can tell once you’ve tasted it.
So there you have some of the popular drinks in Iceland. Every traveler should try one or more of these to partly understand the local culture. Not only will you enjoy the savory taste but also build stronger and more genuine connections with the Icelanders and fellow tourists.