The Lucky Belgian Binye Coffee Linked to a Throwing Cats Festival

If you’ve ever wondered whether a cup of coffee can really bring you luck, the answer might lie in a quirky Belgian tradition. Tied to an unusual and historic festival, there’s a coffee drink that locals claim offers good fortune. But what makes this coffee special—and how do you make it? Let’s take a closer look at the Belgian Binye coffee, a festive drink with a surprising ingredient list and a story rooted in old European folklore.

Yes, Belgian Binye coffee is said to bring luck—especially if you catch a toy cat thrown from a festival tower. The key recipe includes 100ml coffee, 40ml milk, 1oz whiskey, sugar, egg white, and cream. That’s the exact mix that makes this the ‘lucky’ coffee of Belgium’s throwing cats festival.

The Throwing Cats Festival: A Quirky Belgian Tradition

Nestled in the western corner of Belgium, the small town of Ypres hosts an unusual annual event known as the “Throwing Cats Festival,” or “Kattenstoet” in Dutch. While today it’s a lighthearted and humorous celebration, its origins date back to medieval times when cats were wrongly associated with witchcraft. Back then, cats were often persecuted, but this festival has since transformed into a colorful, community-driven event full of music, costumes, and a signature moment: a man dressed as a jester throws plush toy cats from the bell tower, and catching one is believed to bring happiness and good luck.

What Is Belgian Binye Coffee?

Amid the festivities, one drink takes center stage: Belgian Binye coffee. This isn’t your everyday cup of joe. It’s a festive beverage specifically associated with the throwing cats festival, combining coffee with whiskey, milk, sugar, egg white, and cream. It’s rich, warming, and—according to local lore—brings a bit of that festival luck to anyone who drinks it.

How to Make Belgian Binye Coffee

Making Belgian Binye coffee involves a few specific steps and precise ingredients. Here’s the exact method used to create this traditional drink:

• Coffee: 100 milliliters
• Milk: 40 milliliters
• Whiskey: 1 ounce (30ml approx.)
• Sugar: Refined white sugar, to taste
• Egg white: As needed
• Cream: For topping

Start by mixing the refined white sugar with the egg white until fully combined. Then, gently fold in the cream to this mixture and pour it into your coffee cup as a base layer. In a separate clean cup, pour the whiskey first, then slowly add the prepared coffee over it. Finish the drink by topping it with a dollop of cream. This layered approach is what gives the Binye coffee its distinctive festive look and flavor.

Why This Coffee Is Associated With Luck

The link between Belgian Binye coffee and good fortune comes directly from the throwing cats festival. Catching a plush toy cat tossed from the tower is said to bring happiness, and enjoying this specific coffee during the event is part of the ritual. The combination of warm spices, whiskey, and creamy texture mirrors the festive and slightly mischievous spirit of the festival itself—making the drink a symbol of luck and celebration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Belgian Binye coffee?

Belgian Binye coffee is a traditional drink associated with the Ypres throwing cats festival in Belgium. It contains coffee, milk, whiskey, sugar, egg white, and cream, and is said to bring good luck—especially if you catch a toy cat during the festival.

What ingredients are in Belgian Binye coffee?

The exact ingredients are 100ml coffee, 40ml milk, 1oz whiskey, refined white sugar, egg white, and cream. These are combined in a specific way to create the layered drink.

How do you make Belgian Binye coffee?

Mix sugar with egg white, fold in cream, and place in the cup. In a separate cup, add whiskey, then coffee, and top with cream. That’s the standard method used for this festive coffee.

Where does the tradition of Belgian Binye coffee come from?

It originates from the throwing cats festival (Kattenstoet) in Ypres, Belgium. The drink became associated with the festival’s luck-bringing rituals, especially catching a toy cat thrown from the tower.

Is Belgian Binye coffee alcoholic?

Yes, it contains 1 ounce of whiskey, making it an alcoholic coffee beverage traditionally enjoyed during the festival.

What’s the story behind the throwing cats festival?

The Ypres festival originated in the Middle Ages when cats were wrongly linked to witchcraft. Today, it’s a humorous event with parades, costumes, and a jester throwing toy cats from a bell tower—catching one is believed to bring happiness.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Festive Coffee

For a coffee that can hold its own in a festive drink like Belgian Binye coffee, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera. It offers bright citrus, floral notes, and a juicy body—perfect for adding complexity to milk-based or spiced coffee drinks. Alternatively, their Yirgacheffe delivers soft berry tones and a tea-like elegance, ideal for balancing the whiskey and cream. For something richer, their Classic Blend provides chocolatey and nutty notes that complement the sweetness in festive recipes. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.