Almdudler Mate & Guarana soft drink

Almdudler is an iconic Austrian brand, widely recognized as the country's national drink. Founded in 1957 by Erwin Klein in Vienna, the brand began as a herbal lemonade gifted to his wife Ingrid on their wedding day. The recipe, consisting of 32 different Alpine herbs, remains a closely guarded family secret. Over the decades, Almdudler has evolved from a local specialty into an international brand, while remaining steadfastly independent and family-owned.

While Almdudler originally managed its own production, it shifted to a licensing and franchise model in 1973. This means that while the brand management and the secret herbal extract originate from the family headquarters in Vienna, the actual bottling and distribution are handled by various partners across Europe. In Austria, major production is handled by partners like Ottakringer and Vöslauer. In Germany and other European markets, local licensees such as Pfanner and Franken Brunnen ensure the product reaches consumers while maintaining the authentic Alpine taste.

The brand is currently owned by the second generation of the Klein family, specifically Thomas and Michaela Klein. They continue to oversee the company's direction from the distinctive 'Almdudler House' in Vienna. This Mate & Guarana variant, launched in 2017, represents the brand's expansion into modern functional beverages, blending traditional Alpine herbs with natural caffeine sources while maintaining the classic 'Zuckerfrei' (sugar-free) appeal for health-conscious consumers.