27 Popular Australian Beverages

Flat white is a coffee beverage originating from Australia in the mid-1980s. Still, many New Zealanders claim that it was created in their country.

People prepare a flat white by pouring microfoam (finely textured milk with tiny bubbles) over a shot of espresso.

Flat whites are similar to cappuccino and look almost identical to a latte, especially when made with Latte art. However, they have a higher proportion of coffee and less microfoam.

A typical flat white is a creamy, smooth, velvety coffee often enjoyed with breakfast dishes and baked goods, such as Yo-Yo biscuits, pikelets, and Tim Tam. This coffee drink is also a wonderful morning or afternoon pick-me-up.

Lemon, lime, and bitters, or LLB for short, is a popular Australian mixed beverage made with lemonade, lime cordial, and Angostura bitters. Some versions replace lemonade with soda water or lemon squash.

As only a few dashes of Angostura bitters are used in lemon, lime, and bitters, this drink has low alcohol level and is frequently regarded as a non-alcoholic mocktail, though kids shouldn’t consume it.

An ABC News report from 2018 claimed LLB was “Australia’s national drink”. Although the exact origin of this national drink is still under debate, many people believe it was created and popularized in Australia in 1880.

Lemon, lime, and bitters is a perfect accompaniment to light meals and snacks, such as fish and chips, sausage rolls, and Chiko Rolls.

Bundaberg Rum, also known as “Bundy”, is an Australian frosty rum manufactured from local sugarcane. With its rich, smooth flavor with notes of molasses and spice, it is the ideal drink to ward off the hot summer days.

As suggested by its name, this dark rum is made in Bundaberg, Australia. First produced in 1889, this well-loved Australian drink has now become popular worldwide.

Locals sometimes mix this delicious rum with ginger beer or cola or pair it with various traditional dishes, especially meaty ones like kangaroo meat and emu meat.

Cappuccino is a famous coffee beverage in Australia. Hailing from Italy, it consists of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam, creating a rich and airy texture with a strong coffee flavor.

Australian cappuccino is typically garnished with cocoa powder and has a milkier and creamier flavor compared to espresso. If you want a more intense espresso flavor in your coffee, get a dry cappuccino.

Locals often enjoy a cappuccino in the morning with breakfast dishes or pastries, including lamingtons, iced VoVo, and cruffins.

Long black is a common coffee drink that originated in Australia and New Zealand. A local adaptation of Americano, it is made by pouring a double shot of espresso over hot water to create a strong, rich coffee with a crema on top.

A typical long black has a similar appearance to an Americano, but its taste and aroma are much more robust and intense. Australians usually drink it in the morning to wake up their senses, pairing it with breakfast dishes and pastries, such as damper.

Victoria Bitter, also known as VB, is a lager beer that originated in Melbourne, Victoria, in 1854. However, it only became famous after an innovative television advertising campaign in the mid-1960s

One of Australia’s best-selling beers, Victoria Bitter boasts a full-bodied taste, a slightly bitter finish, and a subtly fruity aroma that perfectly complements the lager’s sweet malt and mid-palate bitterness.

VB is traditionally enjoyed cold and is often associated with Australian sports events and barbecues. Grilled and fried dishes go well with this beer, with meat pies, sausage sizzle, barramundi being optimal choices.

Tooheys Beer is a renowned Australian dark ale hailing from New South Wales. It was created by James and John Toohey, two Irish-Australian brothers who opened a brewery in the 1860s.

The Tooheys Old Dark Ale was their first beer. Now known as Tooheys Old, this beer is still a local fan favorite after more than 150 years, famous for its crisp and refreshing taste with a hint of bitterness.

Since the alcohol volume of Tooheys Beer is around 4.5%, this drink can be considered a full-strength beer. Enjoy it alongside hearty pub or diner-style meals, including chicken parmigiana and continental rolls.

Australian wine is a highly popular type of alcoholic beverage in Australia. Its history dates back to the early 19th century, and the industry has since flourished across various regions thanks to the country’s unique climate and terroir.

Australian wines are known for their bold flavors, innovative spirit, and high quality that are achieved by naturally aging the vintages. The two most popular types of wine in Australia are Chardonnay and Shiraz wines.

Nowadays, Australian wines are widely available around the world, especially in the US. Their most common accompaniments are seafood, meats, and desserts, ranging from pavlova to chicken parmigiana and sausage rolls.

Espresso martini is an Australian caffeinated alcoholic beverage composed of coffee liqueur, espresso, and vodka. Interestingly, it isn’t technically a martini due to the lack of gin or vermouth, but it is often served in a martini glass, hence the name.

Despite several contentious claims about its origin, most people believe a British bartender named Dick Bradsell created the espresso martini in the 1980s. This frothy, energizing cocktail became popular in many countries, including Australia.

With the right ratio of booze, espresso martini is a nice pick-me-up drink that can accompany many Australian desserts, such as pavlova and Golden Gaytime.

XXXX, pronounced four-ex, is an Australian beer brand originating in Queensland by the Castlemaine Perkins brewery. It has a rich history dating back to 1924, getting its name from the old practice of measuring beer quality with the letter X.

XXXX beer is known for its smooth, mild taste and moderate bitterness. Plus, its alcohol volume is only 3.5%, making it an easy and refreshing beverage during the day.

Various casual and hearty dishes in Australian cuisine go well with this Queensland beer, including beef beetroot burgers and sausage rolls.

Ginger beer is a popular non-alcoholic beverage in Australia, though alcoholic versions are also available. Originating in Yorkshire, England, it is prepared by fermenting ginger, sugar, and lemon juice (optional) in water.

With a spicy ginger flavor and effervescent texture, Australian ginger beer is a refreshing drink on its own or used as a mixer in cocktails. If you want to give this delightful beer a try in Australia, choose non-alcoholic Bundaberg Ginger Beer

Australians often enjoy ginger beer with snacks and party foods, such as fairy bread and Dagwood dogs.

Piccolo, or piccolo latte, is an Australian coffee drink prepared by pouring a single ristretto shot into a 90ml glass and then topping it with steamed milk. It is a small yet robust drink that contains more coffee than milk.

Piccolo was created in the 2010s when the baristas and roasters in Sydney needed to test their brews without drinking too much dairy. They made their coffee with only a tiny amount of milk, and this concept suddenly became popular.

This bold coffee drink is perfect for those who enjoy the robust flavor of coffee but in a smaller, more concentrated form. Ideal pairing options for piccolo include sweet treats like pikelets, lamingtons, and Tim Tam.

Lemon barley water is a refreshing beverage and homemade remedy in Australia. Historically, it was used in Britain and made its way to Australia, where it became a staple item in many households.

Locals make lemon barley water by slowly boiling barley, occasionally with lemon zest, before sieving the liquid and mixing it with lemon juice, honey, or sugar.

Lemon barley water is traditionally served over ice or with lemon slices as a summer beverage. This soothing, hydrating, and slightly tangy drink goes well with various light dishes, such as fish and chips, Chiko rolls, and continental rolls.

Now that you have learned about the most popular beverages in Australia, I will cover the common traits of Australian drinks in general.