Jus Potandi – the Right To Drink

Drinking Customs

Jus Potandi – the Right To Drink The Satirical Spirit of 1616: Exploring Jus Potandi In 1616, a unique text titled Jus Potandi—Latin for “The Right to Drink”—emerged, shedding a satirical light on early modern Europe’s drinking culture. Penned by an...

Café Procope

Drinking Customs

Café Procope The Birthplace of Parisian Coffee and Liqueur Culture Nestled in the heart of Paris, Café Procope holds a distinguished place in the history of both the city and European café culture. Established in 1686 by Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, an Italian...

All About Drinking Songs

Drinking Customs

All About Drinking Songs The Timeless Tradition of Drinking Songs Drinking songs hold a unique place in human culture, intertwining camaraderie, revelry, and often a satirical or humorous tone. These songs, performed during the consumption of alcoholic beverages, are...

Hygge And Pantsdrunk

Drinking Customs

Hygge And Pantsdrunk Scandinavian Traditions of Cozy Comfort and Relaxation Scandinavia has long been admired for its ability to thrive through harsh winters and long nights. Central to this success are two cultural traditions that have caught the world’s attention:...

Clinking and Earthing Glasses

Drinking Customs

Clinking and Earthing Glasses The Tradition of Clinking Glasses and Earthing Beers: A Cultural Exploration The custom of clinking glasses when drinking and the ritual of “earthing” beers are both fascinating traditions that have deep cultural and...

Drinking like a Scythian

Drinking Customs, Early History

Drinking like a Scythian Spirits of the Steppe: Scythian Drinking Culture In the vast tapestry of the Eurasian steppe, the Scythians emerge as a nomadic mosaic, a confluence of tribes tracing their origins to modern-day Iran. Between 900 and 200 BCE, they roamed...

Haro Wine Festival

Drinking Customs

Haro Wine Festival The Batalla de Vino in Haro, Spain, a Festival Where Rioja Red Wine Becomes a Symbolic Weapon Held annually on June 29th, Saint Peter’s Day, amidst the picturesque landscape of the Rioja wine region, Batalla de Vino stands as one of Spain’s...

May Wine & May Festivals

Drinking Customs

May Wine & May Festivals The Romans celebrated the spring-flower Floralies festival in the beginning of May. Since the Middle Ages on May 1st festivals were held to welcome spring throughout Europe. For centuries, the night from April 30th to May 1st was...

The Salamander Ritual

Drinking Customs

The Salamander Ritual “The salamander” is a drinking ritual that includes the knocking (and rubbing) of glasses on the table before or after drinking together, sometimes both. It is a widespread “Zutrinken” ritual among student associations,...

Schmollis & Fiducit

Drinking Customs

Schmollis & Fiducit In student associations, the term “Schmollis” (also: Smollis, Schmolles) is used since before 1795 to initiate a drinking ritual called “Brüderschaft”, meaning “brotherhood drinking”. Schmollis is confirmed...