The cost of a round of drinks in Amsterdam has soared 7.8% since last year, well over double the national average, according to the annual survey by hospitality sector consultancy Van Spronsen.

An order made up of two coffees, two soft drinks, two beers and two glasses of rose now costs an average of €27.05 in the Dutch capital, or €3.40 per drink.

The national average increase is 3.1%, or €23.35 for the eight drinks, the survey showed.

In The Hague, the second most expensive place in the country to order a round of drinks, prices rose 2.5% to €24.98. Haarlem has now overtaken Den Bosch to take third place, with a price ticket of €24.50.

Cheapest place in the country to enjoy a drink on a cafe terrace is Zwolle, where the standard round rose 2.5% in price to €21.88.

Part of the rise is due to the increase in valued added tax, which rose from 6% to 9% on drinks in January. Removing the impact of btw would cut the average increase to 1.9%, Van Spronsen said.