30 June 2025  Vienna's Coffee Legacy: Living Heritage with Julius Meinl at the HeartFashion.at recently received a seasonal recipe from Julius Meinl, a brand closely tied to Vienna's coffeehouse culture, which was recognized by UNESCO in 2011 as part of the world's intangible cultural heritage. Founded in 1862, Julius Meinl has grown into a global ambassador of the Viennese coffee tradition, supplying beans to cafés in over 70 countries. Its logo—widely visible in Vienna on coffee cups, glasses, and sun umbrellas—features a young man wearing a fez, a traditional Ottoman head covering. This emblem was originally created in 1924 by Viennese poster artist Josef Binder, who envisioned a fictional Ottoman coffee expert to reflect the legendary origins of coffee in Vienna after the Turkish siege of 1683. In 2004, renowned designer Matteo Thun reinterpreted the logo in a sleek, monochromatic red and translated it into distinctive 3D forms used on Julius Meinl's signature tableware.Tradition in Motion: Coffee Culture as Living HeritageIn Vienna, tradition does not mean standing still. The coffeehouse is a place where the past and present meet—where time-honored rituals coexist with contemporary creativity. Recipe development is central to this culture: drinks are continuously adapted to reflect changing preferences, seasonal ingredients, and international influences. From the classic Melange to the Verlängerter or the spiked Fiaker, Viennese cafés offer a wide spectrum of coffee variations. This openness to reinterpretation ensures that the coffeehouse remains both a cultural institution and a dynamic space. Among the drivers of this evolution, Julius Meinl stands out as one of the most active contributors, shaping the city's modern coffee scene while staying rooted in its history.Strawberries, Pistachio & Espresso: A Seasonal Creation from Julius MeinlOne of the new additions to Vienna's coffee culture is the Strawberry-Pistachio Espresso Tonic, a refreshingly layered drink that captures the taste of summer. It's a non-alcoholic coffee cocktail with a playful mix of fruity and nutty notes, composed with the flavors of Julius Meinl's Red Door Espresso.Ingredients: • 25 ml strawberry nectar • 10 ml pistachio syrup • Double espresso • 200 ml tonic water • Ice cubes Preparation: 1. Brew and cool a double espresso. 2. Pour strawberry nectar and pistachio syrup into a glass. 3. Add ice cubes carefully. 4. Slowly pour tonic water over the ice. 5. Gently float the espresso on top to create a two-layer effect. This seasonal recipe not only adds color and contrast to the summer menu but also reflects a broader trend in Vienna: the reinterpretation of coffee as a refreshing, mixable element—not just a hot beverage. From Classic to Contemporary: Vienna's Evolving Coffee MenuOn Julius Meinl's official website, a wider range of both traditional and modern coffee creations is published (recipes). Alongside classics like the Wiener Eiskaffee (Viennese Iced Coffee)—a dessert-style iced drink with vanilla ice cream and espresso—there are newer ideas such as the Espresso Tonic, a zesty combination of citrus, ginger, and coffee over ice, perfect for warmer days.Vienna's coffeehouses remain places of reflection, conversation, and taste. As new flavors like strawberry and tonic water meet espresso, they show that the spirit of the Wiener Kaffeehaus lives not only in its atmosphere—but also in its constant reinvention. Image: A refreshing glass of Strawberry-Pistachio Espresso Tonic featuring the Julius Meinl logo and brand name is placed at the center of the composition. Surrounded by fresh strawberries and scattered pistachios, the drink is layered with visible espresso and tonic, evoking a vibrant summer mood. Photo: Courtesy of Julius Meinl. |