Known for its wine and beer, Vienna was recently voted the world’s most livable city for the ninth consecutive year in Mercer’s international survey. What many travelers may not realize is that Vienna also produces a range of distinctive specialty drinks. Below are several local beverages worth trying.
Vienna has a long tradition of crafted drinks that reflect its culinary heritage and contemporary creativity.
Burschik Vermouth has been produced in Vienna since 1891. You can sample Klassik, Dry and Red varieties at the Burschik Lounge inside the distillery near Westbahnhof, where the brand’s historic recipes meet modern presentation.
© WienGin
Wien Gin is produced by three brothers who call themselves the Vienna Boiler Brothers. Their gin highlights elderflower and juniper and is presented in a bottle with an Art Nouveau-inspired label, combining classic botanicals with a distinctly Viennese design sensibility.
Based on an old Polish family recipe, Wodka Linia is a potato-based spirit that blurs the line between beverage and art. Each bottle features a hand-painted line and limited-edition artwork, making it as much a collectible as a drink.
© Kalê
Kalê is an aromatic herbal liqueur that blends European valerian with Australian eucalyptus and Japanese yuzu. The result is a fragrant, layered spirit that works well as a digestif or in creative cocktails.
Viennese bitters are commonly enjoyed as an aperitif. Made from an herbal vermouth-style tea base with black currants, this beverage is crafted to be alcohol-free and quinine-free, offering a bitters-forward flavor profile without the alcohol content.
Whether you prefer classic fortified wines, gin infused with local botanicals, artistic small-batch vodka or complex herbal liqueurs, Vienna’s specialty drinks scene offers something for both traditionalists and adventurous taste-seekers. Sampling these locally produced beverages is a great way to deepen your experience of the city’s rich gastronomic culture.