Almdudler

Almdudler

Almdudler is the brand name of a popular Austrian soft drink.

The original Almdudler is a sweetened carbonated beverage made of grape and apple juice concentrates flavoured with herbs. Its flavour is similar to ginger ale or elderflower cordial, but with a somewhat fruitier and more bitter flavour. Almdudler has been called the "national drink of Austria". Its popularity in Austria is second only to Coca Cola. About 80 million litres of the beverage are produced per year.

History

Almdudler was developed in 1957 by Erwin Klein,^[1] who derived the name from the then-common phrase auf der Alm dudeln, which means "singing in the (alpine) meadows". The drink was originally created and marketed as an alternative to alcoholic beverages or as a mixer for alcoholic drinks.

Almdudler is currently sold in traditional, light (sugar-free), "still" (uncarbonated), and g'spritzt (mixed with carbonated mineral water) versions. A Radler variety (mixed with beer), is available as Almradler. In the wine-growing regions of eastern Austria, it is a popular mixer with locally produced white wine.

Marketing and distribution

Almdudler is exported to Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland, Germany, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia and the United States.

The slogan of the Almdudler advertising campaign, in the Austro-Bavarian dialect, has become a well-known phrase in Austria: Wenn de kan Oimdudla haum, geh' i wieda ham! (Standard German: Wenn die keinen Almdudler haben, gehe ich wieder heim! English: If they don’t have Almdudler, I'll go back home!).

References

External links

• Official website (German)