Belgian Binya Coffee Said to Bring Luck at Ypres Festival

If you’ve ever wondered whether a cup of coffee could actually bring you luck, the answer might lie in a quirky Belgian tradition. Tied to a centuries-old festival in a small Flemish town, there’s a coffee drink locals swear brings happiness to whoever catches a toy cat tossed from a bell tower. And yes, it comes with a shot of whiskey and whipped cream.

The Belgian Binya coffee—linked to the Ypres ‘throwing-cat’ festival—is said to deliver good luck. Its recipe includes 100ml coffee, 40ml milk, 1oz whiskey, sugar, egg white, and cream. That’s the exact formula behind the drink served during the city’s humorous and now family-friendly event.

What Is the Throwing-Cat Festival in Ypres?

In the small Belgian town of Ypres (Ieper), near the French border, an unusual festival called the ‘Cat Festival’—locally known as the ‘throwing-cat festival’—takes place. Rooted in medieval traditions where cats were wrongly associated with witchcraft, the modern version is a lighthearted celebration. It features costumed parades, music, and the highlight: a man in a red-and-white costume throws stuffed toy cats from the belfry tower. Tradition says catching one brings good fortune.

How Binya Coffee Became Part of the Celebration

During the festival, the signature drink is a specially prepared coffee called Binya coffee. It’s not just any cup of joe—it combines hot coffee, steamed milk, a measure of whiskey, sugar, egg white foam, and whipped cream. This rich, boozy, frothy beverage became associated with the holiday’s festive and superstitious spirit. Locals sip it while watching the antics in the square, believing it adds to the luck of catching a falling plush feline.

How to Make Traditional Belgian Binya Coffee

Making Binya coffee involves a few key steps and precise ingredients. Here’s the exact method used in Ypres:

• Coffee: 100ml (brewed black)
• Milk: 40ml (steamed or warm)
• Whiskey: 1oz (about 30ml)
• Sugar: Refined white sugar, to taste
• Egg white: Fresh, whisked
• Cream: Whipped, for topping

Step-by-step:

1. Start by whipping refined white sugar into the egg white until fully combined and fluffy.
2. Gently fold in the cream to the sugar-egg white mixture.
3. Pour this foam base into your serving cup.
4. In a separate glass, pour the whiskey first, then slowly add the brewed coffee over it.
5. Pour the coffee-whiskey mix over the foam in your cup.
6. Top with a dollop of whipped cream just before serving.

Why People Believe It Brings Luck

There’s no scientific proof, of course—but the drink’s association with the throwing-cat festival, where catching a toy cat is considered lucky, adds to its mystique. Sipping Binya coffee while taking part in the festivities may enhance the sense of celebration and superstition, making the experience (and maybe even your day) feel a little more charmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Belgian Binya coffee?

Belgian Binya coffee is a traditional drink made with coffee, milk, whiskey, sugar, egg white foam, and whipped cream. It’s associated with the throwing-cat festival in Ypres, Belgium, and is believed to bring good luck when consumed during the celebrations.

What’s in Binya coffee?

Binya coffee contains 100ml of coffee, 40ml of milk, 1 ounce (30ml) of whiskey, refined white sugar, egg white, and whipped cream. The drink is prepared by foaming sugar and egg white, layering in the coffee-whiskey mixture, and topping with cream.

Where does Binya coffee come from?

Binya coffee originates from Ypres (Ieper), a small town in western Belgium. It’s traditionally served during the local throwing-cat festival, a humorous historical celebration with medieval roots.

Does Binya coffee really bring luck?

There’s no evidence that Binya coffee itself brings luck, but it’s linked to the Ypres festival where catching a toy cat tossed from a bell tower is considered a lucky act. Drinking it during the event adds to the festive and superstitious fun.

Is there alcohol in Binya coffee?

Yes, Binya coffee contains 1 ounce (about 30ml) of whiskey. It’s a boozy coffee drink, often served as part of a celebratory drink tradition during the Ypres festival.

Can I make Binya coffee without alcohol?

The traditional recipe includes whiskey, but you can omit it if you prefer a non-alcoholic version. The rest of the recipe—coffee, milk, sugar, egg white, and cream—remains the same.

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