Introduction
When you live in Austria, there is one carbonated soft drink you see everywhere in supermarkets and restaurants.
That drink is Almdudler.
It seems to be one of Austria’s most famous and beloved soft drinks,
and is sometimes described as
“the second most popular soft drink after Coca-Cola.”
In fact, supermarkets often dedicate surprisingly large sections of their shelves to it, and you can order it quite normally at restaurants as well.
For Japanese people, it is not a familiar drink at all, so the first reaction is often:
“What flavor is this supposed to be?”
But after actually trying it, I found that it has a very distinctive flavor.
This time, I am reviewing one of the Almdudler varieties, Almdudler Grillgaudi.
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What Is Almdudler?
Almdudler is a carbonated soft drink originally created in Austria.
It is known as a herbal soda, and its flavor profile is quite different from ordinary Coca-Cola or Fanta.
It looks like a typical carbonated soft drink, but it has a distinctive herbal taste.
Because of this, it seems like a drink that people will either really like or not like at all.
However, it is genuinely popular in Austria, and you can find it in many places, including:
- Supermarkets
- Restaurants
- Snack shops
- Vending machines
and many other places.
What Is Grillgaudi?
The “Grillgaudi” I tried this time is a variation of the regular Almdudler.
The name “Grillgaudi” seems to combine:
- Grill = barbecue
- Gaudi = a fun event or festive celebration
So I assume it is positioned as something like a limited-edition summer flavor.
The packaging also had a slightly summery feel to it.
Taste Review | Apple and Ginger-Like?
After actually drinking it, I found the flavor quite mysterious.
The first things I noticed were:
- An apple-like aroma
- A ginger-like flavor
Those were my first impressions.
The initial aroma in particular felt very apple-like to me.
There was also a slightly spicy note in the aftertaste, which made me think:
“Does this taste a little like ginger ale?”
However, when I checked the ingredients, there was no mention of either apple or ginger.
So I assume that this flavor is created through a combination of herbs and flavorings.
It is quite distinctive.
How Strong Is the Carbonation?
The carbonation is somewhere between:
- Strong carbonation
- Light carbonation
It feels like it sits right in the middle.
My impression was that it is slightly less carbonated than Coca-Cola.
That makes it quite easy to drink in large gulps.
On the other hand,
“I love really strong carbonation!”
might find it a little too mild.
From a Japanese Perspective, It May Have a “Herbal Medicine” Taste
This applies to Almdudler in general, but from a Japanese perspective, you may notice a slight “herbal medicine” quality to the drink.
Rather than being simply a juice, it has more of a:
- Herbal drink
- Craft soda
- European herbal beverage
kind of feel.
However, it is not overwhelmingly strong or unusual, so it is surprisingly easy to drink.
It Really Does Seem to Go Well with BBQ
Given the name “Grillgaudi,” it does indeed seem like a good match for meat dishes.
Especially with:
- Sausages
- Schnitzel
- Grilled meat
When paired with rich or fatty foods, the herbal flavor helps leave your mouth feeling a little fresher.
Perhaps it is a particularly good match for Austrian and German-style barbecue culture.
It Is Also Available as a Syrup
It is not only sold as a ready-to-drink beverage; it is also available as a syrup.
More generally, syrup products are quite popular in Austria, and people seem to dilute them with water at home to make their own drinks.
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Overall | A Carbonated Drink That Feels Uniquely Austrian
Almdudler Grillgaudi is a carbonated soft drink that is:
- Different from Coca-Cola
- Different from ginger ale
- And has a distinctive herbal-drink character
It is a very unique soft drink.
It may taste a little strange at first, but you gradually get used to it as you keep drinking it.
“I want to try a drink that feels uniquely Austrian.”
If that sounds like you, I would definitely recommend giving it a try.
I especially enjoyed it with meat dishes, where I thought it paired surprisingly well.
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