Cold air, hot springs, clean water—that’s Iceland in the glass. Expect crisp lagers, legit craft beer, glacier-clear vodka, wild-herb gin, and the national spirit, Brennivín, with its caraway snap.

What makes it special

• Pure water from glaciers and lava rock = ultra-clean spirits and beer
• Nordic botanicals like Arctic thyme, birch, crowberry, angelica in gins and liqueurs
• Modern craft scene turning out bright IPAs, roasty stouts, and seasonal one-offs

Styles you’ll see

• Brennivín caraway-led schnapps; savory, clean, a little peppery
• Icelandic gin juniper plus spruce, sea herbs, citrus peel
• Vodka soft, neutral, polished; built for ice-cold Martinis and highballs
• Beer crisp pils and Helles, hop-fresh pale ales and IPAs, midnight-dark stouts and porters
• Liqueurs birch or crowberry for foresty, tart notes; small-batch bitters

Flavor snapshot

Caraway, dill, lemon oil, pine, sea spray; in beer, cracker malt, citrus hops, cocoa and coffee in dark styles. Spirits finish dry and tidy.

How to enjoy it

• Brennivín + tonic with a lemon coin
• Arctic G&T gin, tonic, thyme sprig
• Vodka highball with soda and a wide lemon peel
• Stout by the fire or a bright IPA with game night
• Birch or crowberry liqueur over ice or in a sour

Pairing playbook (veg-forward)

Rye bread with butter, roasted potatoes with dill, mushroom soup, pickled veg, skyr with herbs, grilled asparagus, dark chocolate with sea salt (for stouts).

Buying tips

• Like savory spirits? Start with Brennivín
• Love aromatics? Pick an Icelandic gin with listed local botanicals
• Cocktail base? Choose Icelandic vodka for clarity
• Beer fan? Grab a pils for purity, an IPA for hops, a stout for cocoa-coffee depth

Serving notes

• Brennivín/Gin/Vodka 40–45°F; serve neat or in tall drinks
• Pils/Lager 38–42°F
• IPA/Ale 45–50°F
• Stout/Porter 50–55°F
• Liqueurs lightly chilled or over ice

Bottom line

Iceland pours purity with personality. From a caraway-snapped Brennivín and Arctic-botanical gin to crisp lagers and midnight stouts, you get clean flavors, easy pairing, and a cool-climate edge that stands out.

FAQs

1) Is Brennivín sweet?
No. It’s dry and savory with caraway and citrus hints. Think Nordic cousin to aquavit.

2) Are Icelandic beers just lagers?
You’ll find clean lagers, but also hop-forward IPAs and rich stouts from a lively craft scene.

3) What should I try first?
Start with a Brennivín and tonic, an Icelandic pils, and an Arctic-botanical gin in a simple G&T to taste the range fast.