Top 7 Must-Try Alcohol-Free Beverages in Germany

When the centigrade begins to rise, there’s nothing more refreshing than a cold German pilsner. Whether you’re at a bar, a biergarten or simply having some beers along the river, it’s the perfect complement to a warm summer day. However, if you want to cool down without alcohol, Germany offers a plethora of other beverages. Surprise! There is plenty to drink besides good German beer. Here is a list of the best non-alcoholic summer drinks in Germany. Prost!

Mineral Water

While suspicion of Germany’s pristine tap water is disappearing, many Germans still prefer their water bottled and bubbling. The variety of German mineral waters and levels of sprudel (carbonation) are astounding. The terms used to describe bottled water can also be quite confusing:

• ohne Kohlensäure – Without carbonation
• Stilles Wasser – No or few bubbles
• Medium (green or green-labeled bottles) – Medium bubbles
• Klassisch / Classic – Heavily carbonated

If you order a “stilles Wasser” at a restaurant, rest assured that it will be uncarbonated. If you want tap water, you may need to ask twice and politely for Leitungswasser, but they are legally obliged to serve it.

Club-Mate

There was once a time when only a select few had heard of this German-made, South American inspired drink. Today, it is sold in every Späti and found in the hands of every hipster on their way to the club. This caffeinated, carbonated Yerba Mate drink can loosely be called tea or soda. Valued for its high caffeine content (20 mg per 100 ml) that delivers a mellow, enduring buzz, it’s a favorite among those beginning their weekend Thursday evening and ending it sometime on Sunday, including the hacker community or anyone needing a pick-me-up.

If you can’t live without it in winter, it’s still available, but also comes in an herbal “winter edition.” If you don’t enjoy it your first time, you’re not alone. The drink’s slogan, “Man gewöhnt sich daran,” roughly translates to “You’ll get used to it.”

Fresh Fruit Juice

Fruit juice flows freely in summer. The mix of Kirsch (cherry) and banana to make KiBa is particularly popular. Fresh squeezed Orangensaft (orange juice) is also commonly available at festivals. Other juices include:

• Apfelsaft – apple juice
• Birnensaft – pear juice
• Brombeersaft – blackberry juice
• Grapefruitsaft – grapefruit juice
• Traubensaft (weiß or rot) – white or red grape juice
• Johannisbeersaft – currant juice

Apfelschorle

This fancied-up version of apple juice, mixed with sparkling water, is often the drink of choice at social occasions, appealing to all ages. Schorle simply refers to a juice mixed with sparkling water, hence there are many versions of this drink.

Bionade

Manufactured in the Bavarian town of Ostheim vor der Rhön by the Peter beer brewery, Bionade is a non-alcoholic beverage that is organically fermented and carbonated. Varieties such as Holunderbeere (elderberry), lychee, Ingwer-Orange (ginger-orange), and quince are available. All flavors of Bionade contain water, sugar, malt from barley, carbon dioxide, calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate, offering a taste similar to a soft drink but as a healthier alternative.

Fassbrause

Fassbrause is another unique soda-type drink originating from Germany. Although some brands are alcoholic, most are not. Made from fruit, spices, and malt extract, its name translates to “keg soda,” refering to its traditional storage method. The most common flavor is apple, but rhubarb and strawberry are gaining popularity.

Originally invented in Berlin in 1908 as a mixture of fruit (apples), herbs, and malt, Fassbrause serves as an alcohol-free substitute for beer. The term has since come to encompass a wide range of alcohol-free products.

In Berlin, Fassbrause made by Rixdorfer or Spreequell can still be served on tap in some bars. Look for Sportmolle (sport beer), which is often mixed with beer, showcasing a quintessentially German blend of beer and athletics.

Spezi

In a country renowned for its strict purity laws in brewing (Reinheitsgebot), it may be surprising that the Germans enjoy mixing soda with various drinks, including beer (Diesel). The popular Spezi (a blend of cola and orange soda) is another non-alcoholic drink exemplifying this trend.

International sodas are also readily available, simply known as Cola.