Soft Drinks
Swedish soft drinks are some of Europe's most distinctive: spiced Påskmust at Easter, mineral-rich Loka, fruity Festis and the curiously addictive Trocadero. Order genuine Swedish sodas, hand-packed in our Dalarna warehouse and shipped internationally.
What are Swedish soft drinks?
Swedish soft drinks (läsk) are the carbonated and still beverages produced by Swedish bottlers such as Spendrups, Carlsberg Sverige, Coca-Cola Sverige and Kopparberg. The category is unusually rich for a small country: it includes seasonal drinks like Påskmust and Julmust, fruit-juice sodas like Festis and Pucko, herbal and bitter sodas like Trocadero and Pommac, and the locally bottled mineral water Loka. Many are made to recipes that have not changed since the early 1900s, which is a big part of why Swedes abroad miss them so much.
Iconic Swedish soda brands
A few brands define the Swedish soda shelf and are the ones most often searched for from abroad. Påskmust and Julmust are the spiced, dark "Christmas and Easter cola" that outsells Coca-Cola during the holidays. Loka is Sweden's bestselling mineral water, made famous by its lightly flavoured sparkling versions. Festis is a fruit drink concentrate kids grew up on, Trocadero is a tangy orange-and-apple soda originating in northern Sweden, and Pucko is the iconic chocolate milk.
| Brand | Type | Why it's iconic |
|---|---|---|
| Julmust / Påskmust | Spiced soft drink | Outsells Coca-Cola in Sweden at Christmas and Easter |
| Loka | Sparkling mineral water | Sweden's most-loved water, from a spring in Grythyttan |
| Festis | Fruit soft drink | The lunchbox classic, available in pear, apple, raspberry and more |
| Trocadero | Orange-apple soda | Northern Sweden's hometown soda since 1953 |
| Pommac | Carbonated fruit "champagne" | Adult-friendly alcohol-free celebration drink |
| Pucko | Chocolate milk | Every Swede's after-school drink |
| Zingo | Orange soda | Sweden's classic orange läsk |
Påskmust vs Julmust: are they the same?
Påskmust and Julmust are essentially the same drink with different labels. Both are made from a concentrate based on hops, malt, sugar and a secret blend of spices that is brewed only by a small number of producers (most famously Roberts in Örebro). The Christmas version is bottled as Julmust from late November, the Easter version as Påskmust from around February. The recipe is identical in most cases; the difference is purely seasonal branding. Swedes drink it ice-cold with the holiday smörgåsbord, where it pairs with ham, herring and meatballs better than wine.
Best Swedish sodas for non-Swedes
If you're trying Swedish soft drinks for the first time, Trocadero is the easiest gateway: it tastes like an orange-apple cream soda and has no Swedish-specific quirks. Festis (especially pear and raspberry) is gently sweet and family-friendly, and Loka Citron is a clean, light sparkling water. The bolder picks are Julmust/Påskmust, which has a malty, spiced bite some compare to root beer crossed with cola, and Pommac, a grown-up bittersweet "champagne" alternative. Start with one of each and you'll quickly find your Swedish favourite.
Where to buy Swedish soft drinks abroad
Swedish sodas are very rarely available outside Sweden, even at well-stocked Scandinavian delis. The most reliable way to get them is to order online from Butik Hemlängtan, which ships from our warehouse in Dalarna to 100 countries. We dispatch glass and PET bottles in protective foam packaging, and you can mix soft drinks with other groceries in the same order — see our shipping information for details. Browse the full soft drinks range, or look at Swedish coffee if you're stocking a complete Swedish pantry.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most popular Swedish soft drink brands?
The most popular Swedish soft drink brands are Julmust/Påskmust (Roberts, Apotekarnes, Nygårda), Loka mineral water, Festis fruit drinks, Trocadero, Pommac and Zingo. Pucko chocolate milk is also a long-standing favourite. These brands appear in essentially every Swedish supermarket and are the ones expats abroad ask for most often.
What is Swedish julmust made of?
Julmust is made from carbonated water, sugar, hops and malt extract, plus a secret spice blend that varies by producer. It contains no alcohol and no caffeine. The hops and malt give it a faintly beer-like aroma, while the spices add a warm, slightly cola-like flavour that pairs beautifully with the Swedish Christmas table.
What are the best Swedish sodas to try?
The best Swedish sodas to try are Trocadero (a tangy orange-and-apple cream soda), Påskmust or Julmust (a malty, spiced holiday drink), Festis pear or raspberry, Loka Citron sparkling water, and Pommac for a grown-up sweet-bitter sip. Together they cover the full breadth of Swedish soft drink flavours.
Is Påskmust the same as Julmust?
Yes, in almost all cases. Most producers use the exact same recipe and bottle it as Julmust around Christmas and as Påskmust around Easter. A few brands tweak the spice mix slightly between seasons, but for the average drinker the two are interchangeable.
Where can I buy Swedish soft drinks abroad?
You can buy Swedish soft drinks online from Butik Hemlängtan (swedishfoodshop.com), which ships Loka, Festis, Trocadero, Påskmust and Julmust to 100 countries. Bottles are wrapped in protective packaging and consolidated with other groceries; delivery options and prices appear at checkout. See our shipping page for details.
What does Trocadero taste like?
Trocadero tastes like a mix of orange and apple soda with a lightly creamy, slightly tangy finish. It has been bottled in Sundsvall, northern Sweden, since 1953 and has a milder, less sugary profile than typical orange sodas, which is why fans describe it as "addictive" rather than overpowering.
Are there caffeine-free Swedish soft drinks?
Yes, most Swedish soft drinks are caffeine-free. Julmust, Påskmust, Loka, Festis, Pommac, Zingo and Pucko all contain no caffeine, making them family-friendly. Trocadero is also caffeine-free in its standard recipe. Only the Swedish-bottled colas and energy drinks contain caffeine.
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