Top 10 Iconic Norwegian Drinks to Try

Here is a list of some of the famous Norwegian drinks every tourist should try.

While Norway is more popularly known as a premium hiking destination, it’s also a hub for unique culture and traditions worth experiencing. What better way to immerse on that than raising a toast with the friendly folks? The Norwegians enjoy a burgeoning culinary scene and robust pop culture, especially in the urban centers in Oslo, Tromsø, Trondheim, and Bergen.

The Norwegians started brewing beer 3000 years ago, and today, they still carry the unique practice of innovative craft brews and traditional lagers. Because of the continuous demand in wine, the authorities import wine from France, Italy, and Spain.

Drinking with the Norwegians, therefore, makes up to a unique cultural experience in this Scandinavian nation. There are countless reasons to rejoice, especially after exploring the natural wonders of Norway. A tired and exhausted self needs a happy moment with these famous drinks in Norway.

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Top 10 Iconic Norwegian Drinks to Try

Akevitt

One of the famous Norwegian drinks also known as the akvavit or Aquavit, the Akevitt dated back to the 1500s and was a common beverage throughout the Scandinavian region. Akevitt resembles the taste of a gin with caraway as the dominating flavor instead of juniper. It is derived from either grains or potatoes. It can also include other species like cardamom, cumin, and fennel, including citrus fruits’ zests.

Depending on the vintage, the Akevitt’s golden hue varies from clear to light brown. One famous brand is the famed Linie Aquavit, exported to Australia and back for it to undergo a unique aging method.

Norwegians mostly consume the beverage during special occasions like weddings, New Year’s Eve, and Christmas. It is one of the best Norwegian spirits to try.

Mead

What’s it like tasting beer served during the reign of the mighty Viking warriors? That’s something visitors will know when they taste Mead, which has long played an important historical and cultural role in Norway and its neighboring countries.

Norwegians mostly served the beer during the cold winter months to complement ginger biscuits. Mead is also known as the Honey Wine because most of its fermented sugar comes from honey. Because of its popularity, tourists can buy from almost any major towns and cities throughout Norway.

Glogg

Glogg, a traditional Scandinavian mulled wine, features a balanced combination of red wine and Aquavit with simmers of cinnamon and cloves. That yields a powerful but subtly sweet drink that is best served hot. Norwegians mostly serve it during Christmas and other winter months because it helps immune the body from the cold.

Since the beverage contains almonds and raisins, one can use a spoon to scoop them out before sipping. The added ingredients are customary for this particular drink and reflect the cultural upbringing of the Norwegians. Glogg is a can’t-miss Norwegian liquor.

Punsch

Who would have thought that Norway can give you a taste of Southeast Asia? Check out its iconic Punsch, which was introduced by Dutch traders from Java, Indonesia, during the 18th century. “Punsch” is a Hindi word that means five, pertaining to the number of ingredients used to make the beverage.

These are sugar, spices, fruit, water, and alcohol. The original version of Punsch was based on arrack, an Indonesian beverage consisting of fermented sap from coconut palms, rice, and fruit.

The Norwegians added flavors of banana, chocolate, and almond to give it a more Scandinavian twist. Just like most beverages in Norway, Punsch is served hot during the cold winter months.

Do you want to know how to tip in bars in Norway? Read our tipping in Norway guide!

Brennivin

Brennivin is more popularly associated with Iceland, but it’s also a common beverage in Scandinavian countries like Norway. It features unsweetened and clear schnapps made from fermented potato mash or grain mixed with caraway—some producers of Brennivin steep herbs as part of a long-held Nordic tradition.

“Brennivin” translates to “Burn-Wine,” and it is categorized as a type of Aquavit. With an alcohol content of 30 to 38 percent, Brennivin shares a similar taste with Scandinavian akvavit or vodka. The Norwegians serve the beverage with traditional cuisines, including shark meat.

Beer

The Norwegians have been brewing beer for the past 3000 years, which has been an integral part of their way of life. Today, however, most pubs served the only lager with the recent aught. Among the popular Norwegian beer styles include Bayer, a dark malt lager with sweetened flavor, and Pilsner, a pale golden lager known for its unique hoppy flavor.

Stronger lagers served in Norway are bokko and juleol, which are staples in local bars and restaurants. There is also a growing volume of microbreweries, and many establishments now offer international servings of craft beer styles.

Cider

In many countries across the world, cider is more popularly used as vinegar. But in Norway and other Scandinavian countries, it is served as a beverage, either hot or chilled. It’s often referred to as apple wine in some regions.

Depending on the ingredients and preparation process, the golden hue of cider changes from light to dark. The best area to taste cider wine is in the Hardangerfjord region, which is also the largest producer of apples in Norway.

It is also here where English monks first introduced apples in the 13th century, and apples produced here account for more than 40% of Norway’s overall production.

Vodka

Even with the growing popularity of other types of beverages, vodka remains a staple in Norway. One of the famous brands is the Vikingfjord, which snatched the 2016 gold medal during the International Wine and Spirit Competition in London. Since then, it has become a bestselling beverage in Norway, and one can also buy it from major outlets across the world.

Many online stores, including Amazon and Alibaba, also offer it. Now, what makes the brand popular? Well, it uses water from the glacier of Josterdalsbreen and undergoes a blend of modern and traditional processing methods. Vikingfjord comes in both plain and flavored varieties, and a bottle contains 40 percent alcohol content.

Wine

Most of the wine bottles served in Norway’s restaurants come from Spain, Italy, and France. That is because the country yields a tiny percentage of the wine it consumes. However, it claims the world’s northernmost commercial vineyard. The only authorized monopoly on selling wines in Norway is the Vinmonopolet, which carries a more global selection.

Fruit Beer

Although Norway lies in a temperate region where there is sparse vegetation, some fruit species manage to grow, especially during summer and spring. Among these are peach, raspberry, and cherry, which local breweries used to produce limbic-style wines. These are known for their slightly sour taste.

Other popular variants are the so-called Arctic crowberries, which is a cross between a blueberry and blackberry. The fruity flavor comes with hints of species and herbs. These fruit-based beverages are a must-try Norwegian beer.