If there’s one thing more relaxing than a martini, it’s a sauna session

Combining the two is heavenly.

I thought I would write about this to mark Finnish independence day. It is a country that has given us so much, and has provided me with substantial martini inspiration.

I first experienced the sauna+martini combination in Helsinki with a visit to the Allas Sea Pools followed by a luxurious elixir of quietude at the venerable Kämp Hotel. I was instantly sold, and now recreate the experience at home – something I hope that many people, especially the Finns, might be able to enjoy as well.

You need to observe some guidelines to avoid unnecessary death, but if you hydrate properly and give yourself some time between the sauna session itself and your first sip of the elixir of quietude, you can enjoy supreme relaxation, stillness and contentment, the like of which you will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

I am lucky enough to have Finnish friends and family, but sauna culture is spreading healthily around the world so there might be a venue somewhere close by where you could try this out yourself.

You could even do what my family in Scotland have done and build your own sauna in the garden which makes this entire experience considerably more convenient.

But what is Finnish sauna culture all about?

Let’s start with some basics. Finnish saunas date back to prehistoric times and were almost certainly developed as a way to deal with the cold winters.

Over the centuries they have evolved from pits in the ground to freestanding structures, of which there are over three million in Finland alone.

Although not religious, they could certainly be described as sacred and have been recognised by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an intangible aspect of human cultural heritage that must therefore be safeguarded for the future generations of the human race.

The traditions surrounding the sauna are widely observed and respected. They are partially to create a sense of long-lasting warmth, but they are used year-round for cleanliness and relaxation. They create a sense of tranquil calm as well as healthy wellbeing. They can also create an environment conducive to (relatively quiet) socialisation.

They come in different forms, including electric and wood heated, and they are found in public spaces, workplaces and, most commonly, people’s homes.

As well as getting very hot, many people will also alternate with cooling off to freshen up, invigorate the body and prepare themselves to go back into the heat once more. For me, the intense cold is often the part that leaves me the most relaxed of all.

Traditional sauna-goers might dip into a chilly lake or roll in fresh snow to lower their body temperature. Cold showers and ice baths are also an option.

My favourite so far has been lowering myself into the Baltic sea with the ice still floating around the surface on a grey but nonetheless still joyous March day in Helsinki. It doesn’t matter how bad the weather might be, sauna makes it okay. Indeed, it feels to me that the worse the weather, the more enjoyable the sauna.

There’s something about the temperature fluctuation that creates all sorts of sensations in your body, sometimes fast, but often in the form of a slow, soft release that continues for hours after the sauna session is over.

It is also a comforting pause button on the stress and hyper connectedness of modern life. You don’t take your phone or laptop in there for example.

It is highly conducive to meditation, pondering and just appreciating the world around you. The latter is particularly easy if you find yourself in Finland surrounded by beautiful lakes and forests.

In a public sauna there is a sense of communal respect. The concept of public nudity can be off putting, and at home with family I wear swimwear, but traditionally this was a measure of hygiene, because fabric might not be clean, while socially it also creates a sense of egalitarianism. Without the various associations of status, style, difference or wealth that come with clothing, we are all still basic human beings, taking part in a ritual that benefits both body and mind. It is, and should be, humbling, but also liberating.

Combining Sauna with a Martini

I’m going to get this out of the way immediately: we will not be drinking our martini in the sauna, but after the sauna, with plenty of hydration.

I also recommend making some preparations before you get started so you can enjoy yourself with minimum effort once the relaxation session has begun. So here are the steps.

How to Prepare for a Post-Sauna Martini

Make sure your gin and martini glasses are in the freezer for at least six hours before your intended drinking time.

Make sure your sauna is properly cleaned and the fire ready to light. If it’s a wood-fire sauna make sure you’ve got plenty of logs to add to the fire.

Around the time I light the fire, I start preparing the food but it depends on what you want to eat. Basically after you come out of the sauna it’s best to have the food ready to go with minimal effort so you can enjoy your relaxing drink without having to do any more preparation in the kitchen.

My personal go-to post-Sauna food is smørrebrød, although this is Danish so the more appropriate Finnish equivalent would be toast skagen. I pre-mix the toppings, usually shrimp, diced red onion and mayonnaise, salt, pepper and anything else to hand, such as diced cucumber, peppers or pickled gherkins.

I lay it out on slices of rye bread and top it with slices of something, such as tomato, boiled egg, avocado, pickled beetroot or smoked fish. If I’m feeling fancy I’ll garnish it with salad or herbs, and maybe some lumpfish roe if I have it to hand.

You can cover these and leave them for a few hours so they’re absolutely perfect for a no-fuss but still pretty and even healthy post-martini meal. If I’m doing this for the family I’ll plate up each one and cover them with upturned bowls. Easy!

While I’m doing the food I normally pop out to the sauna again to check it’s okay and maybe add some more logs to the fire.

Cleanse Yourself

Go and shower. You should always be clean before entering the shared sacred space.

I also like to shave in the house around about now. Before the sauna is hot enough I like to stand in there for a few minutes while I’m tending the fire and allow the early steam to open my pores.

I then go back into the house to shave and shower before the session.

Never, EVER shave in the sauna. I can’t believe I need to say this but seemingly some people have made this mistake. The sauna is a place of cleanliness and almost spiritual purity. We don’t want to have to clean out your dirty scurf from the woodwork.

Steam when the temperature is right

Otherwise once you’re clean and the sauna is at your desired temperature, you can go in and start steaming. My brother and I like it from around 80-110⁰C (175-230⁰F), although my Mum prefers it around 70-80⁰C (158-175⁰F).

Check with other people in the sauna before you add water to the hot rocks as a courtesy. Otherwise sit back and enjoy the gorgeous löyly (pronounced a bit like the French word l’eau followed by the borrowed-from-French word lieu) which is the steam from the stone as it rushes up to the ceiling then rolls down over your body like a soothing blanket.

Scented Oil

There can sometimes be a debate about whether or not you should add scented oils to the water. We do in my family but there are concerns over the residue building up on the hot rocks.

You can also buy stone vases that you sit amongst the coals and fill with water and oil so as to contain it and benefit from the aroma without getting the residue on the rocks.

Some families might even have a clay gnome holding a small container for scented oil. This will allow for the scent to rise in the heat without contaminating your rocks. I make no comment on style.

We tend to use pine scents in my family. I would also recommend this as highly suitable if you’re heading on to a martini or gin and tonic session because it pairs nicely with the botanicals.

Timings and Cooldowns

I normally go in for sauna sessions of about 15-20 minutes before showering off outside and using our cold plunge whisky barrel, or even just standing wet in the cold Scottish air. The goal is to get cold as soon as possible. I find sitting in the cold barrel more still and relaxing than anything. It can take some getting used to but for me it’s the most calming part of the whole experience. Plus it allows you to re-enter the sauna and gradually warm up again at a gentle pace.

If you have fresh snow, a cold lake or Baltic sea to hand these will all do very well. Alternatively you could set yourself up with an ice bath.

I usually do around 3-4 sessions in the sauna, interspersed with cooling down – but you should just do what feels right. Don’t rush yourself. Just try and be still and mindful. Schedules and sauna just don’t feel right to me.

The Sauna Hat

It might sound a little odd to be wearing a hat in such a hot place, but it’s actually to protect your head and hair from the heat, rather than keeping you warm.

There is something quite ceremonial about donning the item. It feels similar to a Japanese hachimaki (the stylised headband sometimes worn by sushi chefs or sporting contestants). You put it on and you have successfully activated sauna-mode.

Keep Hydrated

I cannot stress this enough, but you have got to keep consuming fluids. You can’t beat water. Many Finns will even enjoy a beer. I have been known to enjoy the occasional herbal tea when standing outside in the cold between sessions but do not skimp on your water intake.

I tend not to drink beer around the sauna because I like to save my first sip of alcohol for the martini, but it is a very enjoyable experience. The cold barley fizz goes very nicely amid the steam.

After the Sauna

You should leave it for at least 30 minutes after you leave the sauna before consuming a martini. A traditional beer might be fine as mentioned above (I recommend Tornio Brewery by the way) but a martini is a much bigger deal.

As an aside, if you want to drink something light and refreshing during your sauna session but beer isn’t for you, a British take on the experience would be to give yourself a nicely chilled gin and tonic. It’s very refreshing and you can still keep it decidedly Finnish by using Lójhtu or Metsä gin for example.

Otherwise, I recommend that you drink some water after leaving the sauna, have a cold shower, get properly dried off and put on some comfortable clothing.

Ready yourself for the martini ceremony.

Serving the Elixir

When it’s time to pour your drink, I recommend using the DUKES style method. This is for two reasons. One: it’s the fastest, easiest way. You don’t need to spend time shaking anything with ice. Two: it’s the coldest way to do it. After the wonderful, healthy heat of the sauna it’s delicious to move on to an ice cold silver bullet. It’s the ultimate calming sensation and the perfect ceremony for calm and relaxation.

Serve water on the side, enjoy some food as appropriate, have your lighting and music set appropriately and avoid breaking the two martini rule.

Otherwise, enjoy your healthy sauna session, keep hydrated, and treat yourself to the mind-numbingly good experience of a super-clean martini to crown your physical and spiritual cleanse.

If you have any other suggestions on sauna hints and tips, please share them below.

Kippis!