Lexi Webster
Austria has a diverse drinking culture, with a variety of beverages to cater to all tastes. While the country is known for its wine and beer, there are also several unique drinks that are popular in Austria, including strong spirits, cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. One of the most famous drinks that come from Austria is Red Bull, which was founded in 1984 and is now exported all over the world. Another popular drink is Almdudler, a sweetened carbonated beverage made of herbal extracts, which has been called the national drink of Austria. Austrians also have a long-standing tradition of drinking coffee, with the first kaffeehaus established in Vienna in 1683.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| National drink | Almdudler |
| Energy drink | Red Bull |
| Beer | Radler, Schwechater, Gösser, Adambräu, Null Komma Josef, Stiegl |
| Wine | Zweigelt, Schilcher, Sturm, Spritzer, Ice Wine, Tipperl |
| Spirits | Schnaps, Obstler, Inländerrum, Slivovitz, Barack, Stamperl |
| Coffee | Wiener Mélange, Wiener Kaffee, Mokka |
| Tea | Herbal, fruit infusions, Jägertee |
| Soft drinks | Frucade, Pago, Kracherl, Elderberry syrup |
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What You'll Learn
Almdudler, a soft drink made from herbal extracts
Almdudler is a popular Austrian soft drink made from herbal extracts. It was first produced in 1957 by Erwin Klein, a Viennese entrepreneur. The name Almdudler is derived from the Austrian-German phrase "auf der Alm dudeln", which means "yodeling in the (alpine) pasture". Klein was inspired by this expression and the flavours of the Alpine meadowland herbs to create a drink that captured the essence of the Austrian mountains.
Almdudler is a sweetened, carbonated beverage flavoured with natural herbs. Its taste has been compared to Ginger Ale, but with a fruitier and sweeter flavour. The drink was originally marketed as a non-alcoholic alternative or a mixer for alcoholic drinks. Over the years, Almdudler has become incredibly popular in Austria, second only to Coca-Cola. It is estimated that about 80 million litres of the drink are produced per year, and nearly 99% of Austrians are aware of this herbal soft drink.
Almdudler is now sold in various versions, including original, light (sugar-free), "still" (uncarbonated), and g'spritzt (mixed with carbonated mineral water). In Austria, a Radler variety, known as Almradler, is also available, which is Almdudler mixed with beer. In the wine-growing regions of Lower Austria and Burgenland, Almdudler is commonly used as a mixer with locally produced red and white wines.
Almdudler has become an integral part of Austrian culture and is enjoyed by people of all ages. Its popularity has led to it being exported beyond Austria, with the drink now bottled in Germany, Croatia, Belgium, and Switzerland, and further exported to other European countries, Australia, and the United States.
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Red Bull, an energy drink
Red Bull is the most famous energy drink from Austria. Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz founded the Red Bull Company in 1984 after learning about the Thai energy drink Krating Daeng while travelling in East Asia. He adapted the drink for the European market, and after huge sales growth in Austria, the brand was exported to Hungary and then the rest of the world. Today, Red Bull is sold in about 130 countries and is Austria's best-selling export.
The Red Bull Company produces several editions of the energy drink, as well as Red Bull Simply Cola, which is made from Red Bull and cola. The company's headquarters are located in the town of Fuschl, about 90 minutes south of Linz.
Red Bull is not the only popular soft drink in Austria. Almdudler, a sweetened carbonated beverage made of herbal extracts, is considered the "national drink of Austria". It is sold in original, light (sugar-free), "still" (uncarbonated), and g'spritzt (mixed with carbonated mineral water) versions. Nearly 99% of Austrians know the drink, and about 80 million litres are produced per year.
Austria is also home to several other energy drink brands, and Frucade, an orange-flavoured lemonade, and Pago, which comes in 39 different flavours, are also popular soft drink brands.
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Austrian wine, including Sturm and Schilcher
Austria is known for its wine, including Sturm and Schilcher.
Sturm, or "storm", is a new wine that is in the process of fermentation. It is made from white or red grapes and contains alcohol, with a cloudy appearance. According to Austrian wine law, Sturm can only be sold between August 1 and December 31 and must have an alcohol content of at least 1%.
Schilcher is a distinct rosé wine produced solely in the Austrian state of Styria, in the districts of Deutschlandsberg and Voitsberg. It is made from the indigenous Blauer Wildbacher grape, which was once a wild variety. The wine has a strong acidity and is known for its exclusive aroma, often associated with strawberries. Schilcher is typically drunk relatively young and chilled, accompanied by traditional Austrian cold-cured meats.
In addition to Sturm and Schilcher, Austria has a range of other wines and alcoholic beverages. The country has several vineyards and breweries that offer tours and tastings, allowing visitors to experience the best of Austrian wine.
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Beer, including Radler, a mixed drink
Beer is a popular drink in Austria, with Vienna believed to be home to the finest beer in the region, Schwechater. Gösser, produced in Styria, is one of the most favoured brews and comes in both light and dark varieties. Adambräu is another native beer sold in Vienna, alongside lighter, Bavarian-type beers such as Weizengold and Kaiser. For those who prefer alcohol-free beer, Null Komma Josef is a local option.
Beer cocktails, such as radlers and shandies, are also popular in Austria. Radler, also known as Alster or Alsterwasser, is a mix of beer and lemonade, offering a light and tangy alternative to conventional beer. The drink is especially enjoyed during the summer due to its reputation as a thirst-quencher. Radler is typically mixed in a 1:1 ratio of beer and lemonade, but variations include other flavours such as grapefruit, orange, or raspberry. The drink is said to have originated in the early 20th century when an innkeeper served his thirsty cyclist guests a mix of beer and lemonade to stretch his stock and provide a refreshing break.
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Coffee, including the Wiener Mélange
Coffee is a popular drink in Austria, with the country's capital, Vienna, being regarded as the world capital of coffee. The Austrian passion for coffee is said to have originated from the Turks retreating from the siege of Vienna in 1683, leaving behind several sacks of coffee that were then brewed by the victorious Viennese. The first kaffeehaus (coffeehouse) was established in Vienna in the same year.
A popular coffee drink in Austria is the Wiener Mélange, which translates to "Vienna blend". It is a specialty coffee drink similar to a cappuccino but made with milder coffee. The coffee is typically brewed using the Turkish method rather than an Italian espresso. The Melange usually contains equal parts coffee and milk, with a small amount of foam on top. However, the amount of milk can vary, and sometimes it is served with whipped cream, in which case it may be called a Franziskaner. Some coffee shops may also sprinkle cocoa powder on top.
At Cafe Sperl in Vienna, the Melange is served as half a cup of brewed coffee with half a cup of steamed cream, topped with milk foam. Nescafe, Mövenpick, Lufthansa Catering, and Albert Heijn housebrand serve the Wiener Melange as coffee blended with cocoa, with or without foam. Ordering a Wiener Melange in Vienna may result in the arrival of an espresso con panna (espresso with whipped cream), which is properly called a Franziskaner.
In addition to the Wiener Melange, there are several other traditional coffee drinks in Vienna, such as the Verlängerter, which is an espresso with added hot water, and the Einspanner, which is a double espresso with whipped cream.
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Frequently asked questions
Almdudler is considered to be the national drink of Austria. It is a sweetened carbonated beverage made from grape and apple juice concentrates and flavoured with 32 natural herbs.
Red Bull is Austria's best-selling export. The energy drink was founded in 1984 by Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz and is now sold in about 130 countries.
Glühwein, or mulled wine, is one of Austria's most famous seasonal drinks, particularly served at Christmas markets.
