While Australia excels at crafting unique spirits like gins and liqueurs using native botanicals (e.g., Four Pillars Bloody Shiraz Gin, Mr Black Coffee Liqueur), it doesn't have a single, ancient, unique liquor but rather made rum its own, especially Bundaberg Rum, and innovated with the Wine Cask, while indigenous peoples fermented tree sap for a cider-like drink called Way-a-linah.
In Western Australia, a mead-like drink called mangaitj was made from fermenting the cones of the banksia, and other native alcoholic drinks are known to have been produced in the Northern Territory and in parts of the Torres Strait.
Lemon, lime and bitters (LLB) is a mixed drink made with clear lemonade, lime cordial, and bitters. The drink may have been invented in Australia as late as the 1880s with the addition of lime to lemonade and bitters, an existing home remedy drink.
Beer and wine have also been referred to as the unofficial national drinks of Australia.
But of those, of course, are gins, whiskys, rums — all spirits that we've appropriated from elsewhere. There is no spirit unique to Australia. But some we've made our own, and I find that it's the gins we've made our own the most.
A vodka from Kangaroo Island could only reflect the purity of this wild and untouched land. Clean and crisp like a sea breeze, this vodka is made from sustainable South Australian grape spirit for lifted floral overtones, perfect with soda and lime or in your favourite classic cocktail.
While many popular Australian beers are owned by international giants like Asahi and Kirin, the largest remaining Australian-owned brewery is Coopers, known for its ales and home-brew kits, with other notable independents including Young Henrys, Fixation, and Hawke's Brewing, co-founded by former PM Bob Hawke. The market features many craft brewers, but significant market share belongs to foreign-owned brands, making truly independent Australian beer a distinctive choice for consumers.
Australians boast about their selection and variety of alcohol. The most famous drink in Australia is vino. The most consumed drink in this country is red wine.
Aside from beer and wine, Schnaps is somewhat of a national treasure in Austria and a must-try when visiting or living in the country. These distilled spirits are normally made from a variety of fruits such as apricots, pears, or cherries.
Russia and Australia have the highest prevalence of alcohol dependence overall, with 2.61 per cent and 2.58 per cent, respectively. According to the WHO, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.92 per cent.
While many famous brands like Arnott's or Vegemite have Australian roots, they are often foreign-owned; genuinely 100% Australian-owned and made brands include Norco, SPC, Mayvers, Sanitarium, Bundaberg Rum, Fess Nasal Sprays, Hydralyte, and many smaller businesses found via the Australian Made Campaign like GME, Aqualyte, and Struc Steel. Look for the Australian Made and Owned logo for assurance that money stays local.
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Australian Whisky is whisky produced in Australia. As of December 2021, there were 333 registered distilleries in operation within Australia, of which approximately 50 have a whisky on the market. The industry has shown steady growth since the early 90s especially in the boutique craft distilling scene.
Australian Rum & Cola
The ultimate classic, combining the rich character of Bundaberg UP Rum with the fresh sweetness of Cola.
No, Red Bull is not Australian; it's an Austrian brand, founded in Austria in 1987 by Dietrich Mateschitz, though it was launched in Australia in 1999 and has a significant presence there as a subsidiary, Red Bull Australia, supporting local sports, events, and marketing, Modern Slavery Statements Register, Australian Beverages Council.
Zirbenz. Zirbenz is an Alpine-style Austrian liqueur flavored with the young red cones of the Arolla Stone Pine. The cones are macerated in neutral alcohol, and the result is a pine liqueur with a light pink hue and a distinctive herbal aroma.
Jenever, often considered the grandfather of gin, is a traditional Dutch spirit with a rich history dating back to the 16th century. Unlike gin, Jenever has a maltier and slightly sweeter flavor.
Originating in Germany, real schnaps (spelled with just one "p") are made by fermenting fruit juices and the base liquor. These are fruit brandies, or eau de vie, and a strong, often clear, distilled spirit, much like a lightly-flavored vodka.
Best Australian Alcoholic Beverages
Seven iconic classic cocktails often cited as essential include the Old Fashioned, Martini, Manhattan, Daiquiri, Negroni, Whiskey Sour, and Margarita, representing a range of spirits and flavor profiles from spirit-forward to refreshing citrus drinks that form the backbone of cocktail culture.
You may think the closest thing Australia has to a national drink is XXXX or a flat white. But there's another drink that's so well-established here, most Australians don't realise it's our own creation.
Stella Artois was originally brewed in Leuven, Belgium, a small city east of Brussels. Currently the best-selling beer in Belgium, it's also brewed around the world, including in the U.K. and Australia.
The oldest continually operating brewery in Australia is the Cascade Brewery in South Hobart, Tasmania, established in 1824 by Peter Degraves, making it nearly 200 years old and a significant part of Australia's brewing history. It's famous for its Pale Ale, Draught, Lager (Blue), and Stout, using Tasmanian ingredients and mountain water.
The most popular beer in Australia is Great Northern Super Crisp, a mid-strength lager that has held the top spot for five consecutive years, followed by other popular lagers like Carlton Dry, XXXX Gold, Coopers Pale Ale, and VB (Victoria Bitter). Mid-strength and light beers dominate sales, appealing to a broad market seeking easy-drinking, refreshing options, especially in warmer weather, with Great Northern's success driven partly by its crisp profile and marketing.