Last Updated: March 11, 2022
Icelandic Drinks You Must Try
Planning a trip to the volcanic island of Iceland and wondering what Icelandic drinks you must try while you’re visiting the tremendous landmarks in the land of Vikings?
Icelandic drinks are as diverse as the landscapes in Iceland and range from non-alcoholic to alcoholic beverages and even some weird drinks that include fermented fish as part of the recipe, more on that later.
If you like to drink alcohol, it would be wise to stock up at the duty-free shop at the airport as alcohol in Iceland is very expensive.
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Björk & Birkir
Björk & Birkir is one of the newer Icelandic drinks you should try while on a visit to Iceland. It’s a little bit like an Icelandic version of schnapps and was made by two Icelanders who created both of these liquors from birch trees.
The two Icelanders behind the Foss Distillery traveled around Iceland trying all the different types of birch until they found the best tasting one. They have now planted a sustainable birch forest from which they harvest sap to make this Icelandic liquor.
The taste of Bjork is woody and earthy with a sweet finish to it and it has a 27.5% ABV while Birkir has a bit of a sharper taste to it and it has a 36% ABV Birkir. This is quite a unique Icelandic alcohol and it’s one you should definitely try while you’re in Iceland.
Brennivín
Brennivín is Iceland’s signature distilled beverage and is the national drink of the country. It’s an alcohol that is only made in Iceland and it’s made by distilling herbs endemic to the island along with potato mash. This combination creates an akvavit or unsweetened schnapps.
This is one of the most popular drinks in Iceland and is often referred to a Black Death as it originally came in bottles with a white skull and a black label. It is always served chilled and usually with a side of fermented shark, Iceland’s national drink.
Now, the shark is often described as the single worst terrible tasting thing ever, so try it at your own risk. As far as Iceland drinks go, this one is actually pretty smooth and has a sharp boot to it where everyone who likes alcohol seems to enjoy.
You’ll find it in liquor stores in each town all over the country but more easily in Reykjavik, Iceland’s capital city.
Fjallagrasa Moss Schnapps
Fjallagrasa Moss Schnapps is one of the spirits in Iceland that has a deep connection to the locals as it’s flavored with Icelandic moss.
Now the moss that is mixed into this is actually protected under Icelandic law and it has been used as a medicine for centuries to cure ailments such a sore stomach, throat, or bad coughs.
These Iceland drinks are made pure with only natural ingredients and you’ll find locals drinking Fjallagrasa Moss Schnapps if they are sick or at any bar or restaurant after work and enjoying some time off.
Every bottle of these spirits comes bottled with some moss, aka lichen or old man’s beard. It’s not the most delicious drink in the world for some, but others who have an acquired taste might think it is delicious.
While this drink is good for you, like any drink in the world, if you have too much of it, you will feel sick the next
Reyka Vodka
Image courtesy of Simon Pearson
No trip to Iceland would be complete without a taste of Reyka Vodka, which is commonly known as the best vodka in the world by vodka connoisseurs.
While vodka was never originally produced in Iceland, as it actually all started out in Poland, you can’t blame the Icelanders for making a better version.
The secret to this vodka’s flavors is that they only use pure Icelandic water that is filtered naturally through an ancient lava field and distilled at a Carter-Head distillery, one of six of the best on the planet, and the only one being used to brew vodka.
Reyka vodka is seriously good stuff and is one of the Icelandic drinks you have to try. Only 1700 liters are made at a time to ensure the highest quality and the distillery is actually run on volcanic geothermal energy making this alcohol as eco as it gets.
If you have the budget, grab a bottle to take home and serve on special nights, or have a shot in one of the many bars and restaurants that serve it in the country.
Malt og Appelsin
Malt og Appelsin is almost a non-alcoholic drink and it’s made by throwing some malty sweet soda called Malt in the mix with Appelsin, a sparkling orange drink. Malt og appelsín becomes a refreshing chocolate-colored drink that is both fizzy and super sweet.
This almost non-alcoholic cocktail is great served with ice and it is usually drunk by Icelandic locals over the Christmas period.
It’s a super sweet beverage to get you through the dark times of winter and has a very slight bit of alcohol in it so it might not be the best of Iceland drinks to give to your kids.
You can also find this drink pre-mixed in some shops and this is called Jolabland. It makes for a great Icelandic souvenir!
Skyr Drykkur
Skyr Drykkur is a very Icelandic drink and it’s both a food and a drink.
They create it like one would make a watery yogurt drink, and serve it more watery when in drinking form (Skyr Drykkur), and more set like Greek yogurt when served in food form (Skyr).
While Skyr Drykkur is made like yogurt, it’s actually a form of soft fresh cheese and is made from an ancient recipe. It comes in a range of flavors for both eating and drinking including fruit and even creme brulee.
You will find Skyr Drykkur all over the country in every supermarket and even gas station, so you don’t need to be in Reykjavik for a glass of this delicious yogurt/cheese drink.
You can actually have a glass of this drink in most developed countries in the world as it’s included in most supermarkets nowadays.
Flóki Whiskey
One of the Icelandic drinks that every local will love is whiskey and the only single malt whiskey that is made in Iceland is Flóki Whiskey.
The brewery is family run and they only use ingredients sourced from Iceland to make this pretty exquisite whiskey.
This tastes just like a single malt whiskey should with a smooth but burning taste to it and it’s a great way of keeping warm with a sip or two during winter.
But stay hydrated while you do, as it’s dangerous to get dehydrated when it’s cold out.
You can actually visit the D-still as it’s about 20 minutes outside of Reykjavík and see how they make Flóki’s whiskey and also the gin, and Brennivín.
You will also get to taste a few of them and can stock up at the onsight shop.
Bjórlíki
During semi-prohibition in Iceland, Icelandic beer was not allowed to be any stronger than 1-2% alcohol, but as with all rules of this nature, people came up with a way around it, which of course made it stronger.
Their idea was to take a spirit that was legal, such as vodka or Brennivin, and add it to beer to make a much stronger cocktail.
This made their beers a lot more alcoholic and the cocktail is known as Bjórlíki.
Now, trying some Bjórlíki in Iceland isn’t so easy as no one really needs to add a shot to their beers these days, and the regulations of selling 1-2% ABV beer were renounced in 1989.
But if you get into the countryside of Iceland, you might find somewhere to add a shot or two to your beer to make a traditional Bjórlíki.
Fruit Schnapps
Like all Nordic countries, sweet fruit schnapps is one of the most popular drinks in Iceland and they are made by combining any kind of fruit with Icelandic water, along with sugar, and then brewed with potatoes.
It’s like drinking candy in my eyes and is used in many cocktails and you’ll find a range of these drinks available in lots of bars and restaurants.
It’s also one of the drinks that is great to sip alongside coffee while cruising the ring road in search of the northern lights.
While you’re in Iceland, make sure you have a night on the fruity candy Schnapps.
Viking Gold
One of the favorite drinks in Iceland, like lots of other countries, is beer and the most popular of all the beers in Iceland is Viking Gold.
This beer can also be described as burning wine as it’s a very strong beer that almost competes with wine in %ABV. Despite being quite strong, this beer that comes from a micro-brewery has won quite a few awards for its great taste.
It’s quite a strong tasting but has deep flavors and it’s the one you should drink if you are having a fun beer day in Iceland.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
