• by Teresa Buyikian , March 26, 2025

Many consumers (especially college kids) have probably been drunk at home on their couch at some point in their lives. But they probably didn’t know that if they were in Finland -- and only wearing underwear -- they’d be embracing “Kalsarikännit,” which is the “art of drinking at home in underwear.”

Long Drink, a Finnish-inspired canned fruit-flavored, gin-forward spirit, is encouraging Americans to participate in Kalsarikännit -- loosely translated as “pants-drunk" -- during the current college basketball season, with a special offer of one cent for a six-pack.

“While college basketball is one of the most exciting times of the year, bars can sometimes be a less than ideal place to watch with crowds and distractions,” said Sakari Manninen, The Finnish Long Drink co-founder in the announcement. “This felt like the perfect time to tap into the Long Drink’s Finnish roots and give drinkers another option – enjoying the games, pants-free or otherwise, in the comfort of their own home. Of course, for those who prefer to watch in the bar, we would strongly recommend wearing pants.”

In a promotion running through April 7, Long Drink fans can buy a six pack of Long Drink, then log on to www.thelongdrink.com/kalsarikannit for details on how to text the receipt to the brand. Long Drink will then Venmo (or PayPal) the customer directly for the value of the six-pack, minus one cent, within 24-48 hours.

The brand will also award swag to select fans who tag @longdrink on Instagram.

The “long drink” category was created during the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki. With the country still reeling from the effect of WWII and concerned how to quickly serve so many visitors, its barkeeps created the simple canned gin beverage in order to be able to expedite service. Originally a variation on a gin and grapefruit soda highball, long drinks now come in a variety of fruit flavors worldwide, per Wikipedia.