From inventive spritzers to the beloved Viennese coffee, this Austrian city boasts an exciting array of beverages.
Vienna’s beverages offer more than just refreshment—they provide a window into the city’s rich culture. From mochas with a twist at historic cafés to unique spritzers in hip districts, each drink reflects a different side of Vienna, capturing its blend of classic charm and modern creativity. The wine traditions in the heurigers, the spritzers that take on a life of their own, and the ever-present coffeehouses all create a diverse drinking culture that is unique to Vienna.
For any traveler, discovering Vienna through its drinks is an adventure—a journey across local flavors, longstanding customs, and memorable settings. In Vienna, every drink tells a story, and every sip is an invitation to understand the city more deeply. From spritzers to Rieslings, Vienna’s drink culture is one to savor.
1. Spritzer
The spritzer, a refreshing drink combining white wine and soda, has long roots in Austria, dating back to the late 19th century. Representing summer in a glass, the spritzer is as Austrian as it gets. In Vienna’s trendy Neubau district, known for its hip, modern establishments, Wirr, a popular bar with a spritzer-heavy menu offering flavors like hibiscus, citrus, and wildberry. Their blueberry spritzer is a crowd favourite. Served in a wine glass, it is light, bubbly, and slightly sweet—perfect for a leisurely afternoon drink.
2. Flaker: Vienna’s Coffee Culture with a Twist
Vienna’s coffeehouse culture is legendary, and Café Sperl on Gumpendorfer Straße is one of the oldest and most atmospheric cafés in the city. With its high ceilings, large windows, and classic Viennese ambiance, it’s a place that transports visitors back in time. Here, the drink of choice was the “Flaker,” a dark mocha infused with a splash of rum—a drink that bridges the gap between coffee and something stronger.
The Flaker’s richness and touch of bitterness complemented Café Sperl’s grand atmosphere, offering a quintessential Viennese experience. Vienna’s cafés are more than just places for coffee; they’re cultural staples where patrons can linger, observe, and savor the passing of time.
3. Erdbeerbowle: The Essence of Summer in a Glass
With spring transitioning into summer, strawberry flavors become popular throughout the city. If you are looking for an alfresco drink, head to Mortons Bar and Grill, for the Erdbeerbowle (strawberry punch). Mortons is located along the scenic Roßauer Lände, a canal-side area filled with outdoor bars. The vibrant red Erdbeerbowle, a mix of white wine, strawberry syrup, vodka, and fresh strawberries and raspberries, looks as refreshing as it tastes. With its fruity, slightly sweet profile, it is the ideal cocktail for a sunny afternoon by the canal—a drink that embodies the start of summer in Vienna.
4. Aperol Spritz: The Sunset Drink in the Heart of Vienna
At Stephansplatz, Vienna’s bustling central square, tables are dotted with bright orange drinks that catch the visitor’s attention. Swing by at Graben 30 to try the Aperol Spritz, an Italian classic that has found a devoted audience in Vienna.
An Aperol Spritz blends white wine with Aperol, a slightly bitter orange aperitif, and a wedge of lime. This drink is all about contrasts: sweet, bitter, and refreshing, evoking the colors of a sunset. This particular spritz is the perfect pause amid the lively energy of Stephansplatz and showcases how Vienna embraces multicultural influences with ease.
5. Wine at a Heuriger
In Vienna’s 19th district, where city streets give way to lush hills and vineyards, traditional wine taverns known as heurigers are a must-visit. Heurigers serve locally produced wines and are popular among wine enthusiasts looking to experience Vienna’s winemaking traditions firsthand. Weinbau Jutta Ambrositsch is the heuriger of choice for this exploration, a welcoming spot renowned for its artisanal wines.
The outdoor seating at Ambrositsch’s heuriger allows guests to unwind under leafy trees, enjoying a range of local delicacies. Request for a Riesling, and pair it with a “Buschenschank” meal of vegetarian treats like radish salad, pickled cucumbers, and cheeses—a zesty spread that enhances the wine’s crisp, floral notes.
A heuriger is not only about the wine but the full experience: the tranquil atmosphere, the sense of community, and the connection to Vienna’s rich winemaking heritage.
6. Ottakringer Radler: Vienna’s Everyday Beer
No list of Viennese drinks would be complete without mentioning Ottakringer Radler. This lighter beer, with its hint of citrus, is a refreshing choice for a hot day. For the first sip of Ottakringer Radler, make your way to Demel, a historic Viennese establishment famed for its pastries and elegant interiors. The Radler’s mildly sweet, crisp profile makes it suitable for any occasion.
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