The Lucky Belgian Bin-Ya Coffee Tied to a Throwing Cats Festival

Published: Oct 20, 2026 Author: World Gafei Last Updated: Oct/20/2026 216 views

Belgian Bin-Ya coffee, linked to the throwing cats festival in Ypres, is said to bring luck. Here’s how it’s made and why it matters.

In a small Belgian city near the French border, a centuries-old festival once revolved around the curious—and cruel—ritual of throwing cats from a bell tower. Today, that same city celebrates with music, costumes, and a playful toss of toy cats. And at the heart of it all? A unique coffee drink locals swear brings good luck. But what is this ‘lucky’ coffee, and why is it tied to a former witch-hunting holiday?

Yes, Belgian Bin-Ya coffee—served during Ypres’ throwing cats festival—is said to bring luck, especially if you catch a toy cat tossed from the bell tower. The coffee itself is a layered drink with whiskey, espresso, milk, egg white, and sugar, served with whipped cream on top.

The Throwing Cats Festival: From Persecution to Play

The ‘Kattenstoet,’ or throwing cats festival, takes place in Ypres, a city in western Belgium. Though rooted in medieval Europe’s witch trials—where cats were wrongly associated with witches—today’s version is a lighthearted celebration. The festival features parades, music, and the famous moment when a jester throws stuffed toy cats from the belfry. Tradition holds that catching one will bring you happiness or luck.

Why This Coffee Is Part of the Festival

Bin-Ya coffee is the unofficial drink of the Kattenstoet. Its exact origins are unclear, but it became a staple during the festival due to its rich, warming ingredients and the symbolic luck associated with catching the toy cats. Locals sip it while watching the festivities, believing it adds to the day’s good fortune.

How to Make Belgian Bin-Ya Coffee

Making Bin-Ya coffee is a hands-on process that combines classic European barista techniques with a touch of homey flair. Here’s the exact formula used during the festival:

Coffee: 100 milliliters (likely a strong brewed coffee or espresso)
Milk: 40 milliliters
Whiskey: 1 ounce (approximately 30 milliliters)
Refined white sugar: to taste
Egg white: to taste

Step-by-step instructions:

In a bowl, combine the refined white sugar with the egg white. Whisk or stir them together until fully mixed and slightly frothy.
Add a small amount of cream (or whipped cream) to the egg white and sugar mixture. Stir again, then pour this into your serving cup as the base layer.
In a separate clean cup, pour the whiskey first. Slowly add the prepared 100ml of coffee over the whiskey. This layering creates contrast in flavor and texture.
Top the drink with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately.

The result is a creamy, boozy, spiced coffee drink with a layered presentation—ideal for cold Belgian festival weather.

What Makes This Coffee ‘Lucky’?

There’s no magical ingredient, but the combination of shared tradition, the thrill of the cat toss, and the warmth of this spiced coffee creates a feeling of good fortune. For festival-goers, drinking Bin-Ya coffee while watching the parade is part of the ritual that might just bring you luck—or at least a great memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the throwing cats festival in Belgium?

The Kattenstoet, or throwing cats festival, is held in Ypres, Belgium. It originated from medieval traditions where cats were associated with witchcraft. Today, it’s a festive event with parades, costumes, and the iconic moment when toy cats are thrown from a belfry tower. Catching one is believed to bring luck.

What is Bin-Ya coffee?

Bin-Ya coffee is a traditional Belgian festival drink made with coffee, whiskey, milk, egg white, sugar, and topped with whipped cream. It’s especially associated with the Kattenstoet in Ypres and is said to bring good luck.

What are the ingredients in Bin-Ya coffee?

The coffee uses 100ml coffee, 40ml milk, 1 ounce (30ml) whiskey, refined white sugar (to taste), egg white (to taste), and is topped with whipped cream. The drink is built in layers for flavor and presentation.

How do you make Bin-Ya coffee?

Mix sugar with egg white, then add cream and pour into the cup. In a separate cup, layer whiskey and coffee, then pour over the egg white mix. Top with whipped cream. Serve immediately.

Is the throwing of real cats still part of the festival?

No. The modern Kattenstoet no longer involves real cats. Toy cats are thrown from the belfry tower, and catching one is a fun, symbolic act believed to bring luck.

Why is coffee part of the throwing cats festival?

Coffee, especially Bin-Ya coffee, is a warm, festive drink that complements the cold festival weather. Locals drink it while enjoying the parade and cat toss, making it a key part of the overall experience and tradition.

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