The Most Famous Gin and Tonic Brands from Sweden
Sweden, a country celebrated for its design, innovation, and nature, has in recent years become a serious player in the world of gin and tonic. While Sweden’s global reputation has long rested on vodka (thanks to brands like Absolut), the Scandinavian nation has embraced gin with a distinct Nordic touch. Swedish gin distillers draw inspiration from their environment, using botanicals such as lingonberry, elderflower, spruce, dill, and coriander to create spirits that reflect the country’s landscapes and traditions. Alongside gin, Sweden has also nurtured premium tonic water brands, making the gin & tonic a staple of contemporary Swedish bar culture.
Famous Swedish Gin Brands
1. Hernö Gin – The Pioneer and Global Star
Founded: 2011, Härnösand (Ångermanland)
Hernö Distillery is the crown jewel of Swedish gin and arguably the most famous in all of Scandinavia. It was founded by Jon Hillgren and quickly rose to international fame.
-
Recognition: Hernö is the most awarded craft gin producer in Europe, earning accolades from the World Gin Awards and IWSC.
-
Flagship Gins:
-
Hernö Dry Gin: A classic London Dry style with Nordic elegance.
-
Hernö Old Tom Gin: A slightly sweeter style that has won global “World’s Best” awards.
-
Hernö Navy Strength: A bold, higher-proof gin with intense botanicals.
-
-
Botanicals: Juniper, meadowsweet, lingonberry, and fresh lemon peel define Hernö’s signature flavor.
-
Influence: Hernö put Sweden on the global gin map, proving that Nordic craft distillers could compete with historic British houses.
2. Stockholms Bränneri – The Urban Innovator
Founded: 2016, Södermalm, Stockholm
Stockholms Bränneri is Sweden’s first urban craft distillery, based in a renovated Jaguar workshop in Södermalm. It has become a cultural icon in Stockholm’s cocktail scene.
-
Philosophy: Minimalist Scandinavian design and organic production methods.
-
Popular Variants:
-
Dry Gin: Classic juniper-forward with fresh citrus.
-
Pink Gin: Infused with rhubarb and rose petals for a floral twist.
-
Oak Gin: Aged in Swedish oak casks, creating a whiskey-gin hybrid.
-
-
Cultural Identity: Its branding captures the Scandinavian aesthetic—clean, modern, and elegant.
3. Spirit of Hven – Island Distilling Excellence
Founded: 2008, Hven Island (between Sweden and Denmark)
Spirit of Hven Backafallsbyn Distillery is one of the smallest independent distilleries in Europe, producing both whisky and gin.
-
Signature Gin: Organic Gin, made from certified organic grains.
-
Botanicals: Swedish wheat spirit infused with lemon peel, cardamom, and local herbs.
-
Distilling Style: Uses traditional copper pot stills, focusing on small-batch artisanal quality.
-
Reputation: Known internationally for its dedication to sustainability and craftsmanship.
4. Norrbottens Destilleri – Arctic Innovation
Located in northern Sweden, Norrbottens Destilleri specializes in creating spirits that reflect the Arctic landscape.
-
Notable Product: Norrbottens Dry Gin, featuring cloudberries, lingonberries, and northern botanicals.
-
Identity: Brings the essence of Sweden’s forests and tundras into the gin world.
-
Recognition: Increasingly popular with mixologists who want to experiment with Nordic terroir in cocktails.
5. Hellström Gin – Östergötland Purity
Founded by Peter Hellström, this brand emphasizes local botanicals and a traditional distilling approach.
-
Botanicals: Swedish juniper, coriander, elderflower, and lingonberries.
-
Style: A dry gin with a balance of citrus and floral notes.
-
Cultural Role: Strongly marketed as a “Swedish gin for Swedes,” it has become popular in local bars and restaurants.
6. Röda Kapellet – The Experimental Collective
A newer brand with strong ties to Swedish bar culture, Röda Kapellet is known for its limited editions and playful approach to gin-making.
-
Flavors: Often incorporates unique seasonal botanicals, from spruce tips to apple blossoms.
-
Reputation: Not as internationally famous as Hernö or Stockholms Bränneri, but beloved among Swedish bartenders for experimentation.
Famous Swedish Tonic Water Brands
1. Ekobryggeriet Nordic Tonic – The Organic Leader
Founded in Sweden, Ekobryggeriet specializes in organic tonics crafted with Scandinavian flavors.
-
Flavors: Elderflower, Rhubarb, Spruce Shoots, and Classic Indian.
-
Design: Sleek bottles and cans that match the Nordic minimalism of Swedish gin brands.
-
Pairings: Often used with Hernö or Stockholms Bränneri gins to create truly local gin & tonics.
2. Oh Deer (Popular in Sweden and Denmark)
Although originally Danish, Oh Deer Tonic has carved out a strong presence in Sweden. Its variety of flavors and youthful branding appeal to younger gin enthusiasts.
3. Global Premium Tonics in Sweden
Swedish bars also frequently stock international tonic leaders like Fever-Tree and Fentimans, which pair seamlessly with craft gins such as Hernö or Spirit of Hven.
Sweden’s Gin & Tonic Culture Today
The gin and tonic in Sweden has become a symbol of modern Nordic lifestyle—clean, natural, and refined.
-
Design Influence: Bottles are minimalist, reflecting Sweden’s global reputation for design.
-
Botanical Identity: Local plants—lingonberries, elderflower, spruce, and meadowsweet—are a point of pride, grounding gin in Swedish nature.
-
Bar Culture: Cities like Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö now host gin festivals and cocktail competitions, often highlighting Swedish gin brands.
-
Global Appeal: Swedish gins like Hernö are now exported worldwide, where they compete with the best from the UK and Spain.
Conclusion
Sweden may be a latecomer compared to England or Holland in the world of gin, but its contribution is now impossible to overlook. With Hernö Gin leading the charge as one of the world’s most awarded distilleries, supported by innovators like Stockholms Bränneri, Spirit of Hven, Norrbottens, and Hellström, Swedish gin has found its place on the international stage.
Paired with local tonics such as Ekobryggeriet Nordic Tonic, the Swedish gin & tonic has become a cultural export, combining purity, Nordic nature, and Scandinavian design. For gin lovers, exploring Swedish brands is a journey into both craftsmanship and the landscapes of Scandinavia, one glass at a time.
