Special Drinks

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry sirup is very common in Austria. It is commonly made from an extract of elderflower blossoms and is used in various mixed drinks but also for cooking and baking. You can even find Palatschinken (crepes) with elderberry filling.

Most

Most, from the Latin vinum mustum (young wine) is freshly pressed fruit juice. The most common kind is the one made from grapes, which is also the first step to making wine. This popular alcoholic drink is very common to Lower Austria, especially the regions between the Mostviertel (“must quarter”) in the West of Vienna and the Bucklige Welt (“humpy world”) in the Southeast. The Bucklige Welt is especially known for its numerous “Most-Heurige” (from the Austrian “heurig” from this year), which are seasonal wine taverns, where this year’s wine and a limited selection of food is served in a very simple and sociable setting. For the Bucklige Welt region apple must is especially typical.

Sturm

Sturm (storm, from the cloudy appearance) is a new wine that is in the process of fermentation (basically the steps between must and young wine). It is made of white or red grapes and, in contrast to must, it contains alcohol. According to the Austrian wine law, it is only allowed to be sold between August 1 and December 31 and must have an alcohol content of volume of at least 1 %.

Spritzer

Spritzer (or G’spritzter, from the German word spritzen, i.e. spatter, squirt, spray, sprinkle) is a popular summer drink in Austria where it has developed to an integral part of its culture. This Austrian creation is traditionally made with white wine and soda or sparkling mineral water and can be enjoyed as aperitif, with a meal or simply as thirst quencher. To make a sweet version of the Spritzer, sweet lemonade like Sprite is added to the white wine instead of soda water. Sometimes red wine is used instead of white wine.

Aperol Spritz is a Spritzer mixed with Aperol and is served with a slice of orange. It is either an aperitif or a refreshing summer drink enjoyed by itself. Though originally from Italy, it has developed to a popular summer drink in Austria within the last couple of years.

Kaiserspritzer is a traditional variation of the Spritzer that adds elderberry syrup to the white wine and soda water.

Hugo-Spritzer is a variation of the Kaiserspritzer but it is not as sweet – fresh mint is added to white wine, soda water and elderberry syrup.

Radler

Especially enjoyed during the summer, the Radler is a beer-based mixed drink, which has a long-standing tradition in Austria. The Radler is usually mixed with either Almdudler, Sprite or a lemon-based lemonade. During the summer months, Radler is very popular due to its reputation of being a thirst-quencher.The product is now being offered by various breweries in bottles and cans.

Gluehwein

Ingredients:
2 bottles of good quality red wine
2 cups of water
juice of 2 lemons
2 cinnamon sticks
2 oranges - cut into bitesize pieces oranges for decoration

How to make it: Put all ingredients in a pot and bring it close to boil.

For additional taste cut 2 oranges in to bitesize pieces and add to the wine. Let simmer. Remove clove, cinnamon stick before serving it into lightly prewarmed glasses. Decorate glasses with an orangeslice.

Enjoy and drink responsibly.