Skottbrus

Skottbrus is a term used in some Scandinavian languages to refer to a simple mixed drink that combines a shot of liquor with a carbonated beverage. The exact meaning and preparation can vary by region, but the core idea is a quick, casual highball-style beverage that blends liquor with a fizzy base.

Etymology and regional usage draw on two common elements: skott, meaning a small measure or shot of alcohol, and brus, meaning soda or a carbonated drink. The combination appears in dialectal and historical sources in Sweden, Norway, and Finland, where it has been used to describe informal mixed drinks rather than a formal cocktail.

Preparation methods are variable. In some locales, skottbrus is made by placing a shot into a glass filled with a carbonated base such as cola, lemon-lime soda, or a light beer, producing a straightforward, low-effort beverage. Ratios and ingredient choices differ regionally, and in certain contexts the term may refer to different pairing standards rather than a single fixed recipe.

History and cultural context for skottbrus are largely regional and informal. Mentions appear in old recipe collections, diaries, and songs from the 19th and 20th centuries, reflecting drinking practices in rural, student, or hunting-camp environments. In modern gastronomy and formal menus, the term is rarely used; when it appears, it typically denotes a traditional, local variant rather than a standardized drink.

See also: Highball, Shooter, Mixed drink, Nordic drinking culture.