Drinks
Almdudler-Style Herbal Lemonade
Ingredients
- - 1 litre (4 cups) sparkling water
- - 2 tbsp honey or sugar
- - 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- - 1 tbsp fresh lemon balm leaves, lightly crushed
- - 1 tsp fresh elderflower cordial (or a small handful of fresh elderflowers)
- - 1 small sprig fresh mint
- - Ice cubes, to serve
Method
- Gently warm 100 ml (1/3 cup) of the water in a small saucepan with the honey until dissolved, then remove from the heat.
- Add the lemon balm leaves and elderflower to the warm honey water and let steep for 10 minutes.
- Strain the mixture into a pitcher, pressing gently on the herbs to extract flavour.
- Stir in the lemon juice, then top up with the remaining sparkling water.
- Add the mint sprig, chill for at least 30 minutes, and serve over ice.
Introduction: Almdudler is Austria’s beloved national soft drink, an alpine herbal lemonade created in 1957 and often nicknamed the country’s ‘national drink.’ While the commercial version is a closely guarded recipe, home cooks have long made their own herbal lemonades in its style using alpine herbs, citrus and honey.
Cultural Background: Almdudler is Austria’s beloved national soft drink, an alpine herbal lemonade created in 1957 and often nicknamed the country’s ‘national drink.’ While the commercial version is a closely guarded recipe, home cooks have long made their own herbal lemonades in its style using alpine herbs, citrus and honey.
Tips: Use fresh, fragrant lemon balm if possible — it gives the drink its distinctive alpine herbal note. Adjust sweetness to taste, as elderflower cordial varies in sweetness between brands.
Variations: Add a few fresh chamomile flowers for extra floral aroma. Serve with a slice of lemon and a sprig of extra mint for garnish.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Naturally vegan if made with sugar instead of honey.
Storage: Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Not applicable — served cold.
Nutrition: Approx. per serving: 45 kcal, 0g protein, 11g carbohydrate, 0g fat
FAQs:
Q: Is this the same as commercial Almdudler? A: It’s a homemade herbal lemonade inspired by Almdudler’s alpine herb character, though the exact commercial recipe remains a closely guarded secret. Q: Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh? A: Yes, use about a third of the amount, as dried herbs are more concentrated.
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