The Lucky Belgian Bineye Coffee from Ypres Festival

In Belgium, there’s a centuries-old festival where people dress in costume, climb bell towers, and throw stuffed toy cats to the crowds below — and amidst the chaos, one drink stands out. Locals say it brings luck to whoever catches the falling plush cat. But even if you're not in Ypres, there's another way to tap into that tradition: by making the festival’s signature coffee. If you've ever wondered what makes Belgian Bineye Coffee so special — or how to recreate it — here's everything you need to know.

Yes, Belgian Bineye Coffee is linked to the Ypres ‘throwing-cat’ festival and includes whiskey, egg white, sugar, milk, and coffee. The drink is prepared by whisking sugar into egg white, layering it with coffee and cream, and topping it with whiskey. The key ingredients are 100ml coffee, 40ml milk, 1oz whiskey, sugar, and egg white.

The Throwing-Cat Festival and Its Lucky Coffee

The city of Ypres, located in western Belgium near the French border, hosts an unusual and historic festival known as the ‘Cat Festival’ or more colloquially, the ‘Throwing-Cat Festival.’ This event dates back to the Middle Ages, a time when cats were wrongly associated with witchcraft and often persecuted. Over time, the grim origins evolved into a lighthearted celebration featuring costumed parades, music, and the famous act of tossing stuffed toy cats from the town’s belfry. The person who catches one is said to receive good luck.

During the festival, Belgian Bineye Coffee is the traditional drink served to participants. Though its exact origin within the event is undocumented, it has become inseparable from the holiday’s festive spirit — a warming, boozy coffee said to bring a bit of that caught-cat luck to anyone who drinks it.

What Is Belgian Bineye Coffee?

Belgian Bineye Coffee is a layered coffee drink made with brewed coffee, steamed milk, egg white, sugar, whipped cream, and a float of whiskey. Unlike a typical latte or Irish coffee, it combines sweetened egg white with coffee and is finished with a spirit float — creating a unique texture and flavor profile that’s both rich and aromatic. It’s especially associated with the Ypres festival, where it’s enjoyed as a festive treat.

How to Make Belgian Bineye Coffee

To make Belgian Bineye Coffee, you’ll combine just six ingredients with specific preparation steps:

• Coffee: 100ml (brewed, presumably black)
• Milk: 40ml (steamed or gently heated)
• Whiskey: 1oz (about 30ml, floated on top)
• Sugar: refined white, added to the egg white
• Egg white: a small amount, whisked with sugar
• Cream: lightly whipped, folded into the egg white-sugar mix

Step-by-step instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine refined white sugar with egg white and whisk until fully mixed and smooth.
2. Gently fold in whipped cream to the egg white and sugar mixture.
3. Pour this mixture into a prepared coffee cup as the base layer.
4. In a separate clean cup, pour in the whiskey.
5. Slowly add the 100ml of coffee into the same cup as the whiskey, allowing them to combine naturally.
6. Pour the coffee-whiskey mix over the egg-white-cream mixture already in your serving cup — or layer carefully to preserve distinct elements.
7. Top the drink with a dollop of whipped cream.

The result is a rich, softly sweet coffee drink with a boozy kick and a frothy texture, designed to be shared — or caught — during celebration.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Belgian Bineye Coffee?

Belgian Bineye Coffee is a traditional coffee drink made with coffee, milk, egg white, sugar, cream, and whiskey. It’s associated with the Ypres throwing-cat festival in Belgium and is said to bring good luck. The drink combines layers of sweetened egg white foam, coffee, and a whiskey float.

Where does the Belgian Bineye Coffee tradition come from?

It originates from the throwing-cat festival (or Cat Festival) in Ypres, Belgium. Though the coffee’s exact role in the earliest versions of the festival is unclear, it has become a traditional festive drink served during the modern, humorous version of the event that includes parades and cat-throwing from the belfry.

What ingredients are in Belgian Bineye Coffee?

The coffee is made with 100ml coffee, 40ml milk, 1oz (30ml) whiskey, refined white sugar, egg white, and a small amount of whipped cream. The sugar is mixed with egg white first, then cream is folded in, and the mix is layered with coffee and whiskey.

How is Belgian Bineye Coffee prepared?

You whisk sugar into egg white, fold in whipped cream, and layer that in a cup. Separately, coffee and whiskey are combined in another cup, then poured over the egg-white mix. The drink is topped with whipped cream. Exact layering may vary but typically preserves separate visible elements.

Is Belgian Bineye Coffee alcoholic?

Yes, it contains 1oz (about 30ml) of whiskey, which is floated on top or mixed in with the coffee before pouring. The drink is festive and contains alcohol, so it’s not suitable for children or those avoiding liquor.

Can I make Belgian Bineye Coffee without alcohol?

The traditional recipe includes whiskey, but you could omit it for a non-alcoholic version. However, the drink’s historical association with the Ypres festival specifically includes the whiskey float as part of its ‘lucky’ presentation.

What kind of coffee is used in Belgian Bineye Coffee?

The original article does not specify the coffee bean type or roast level, only that 100ml of coffee is used. For best results, a standard brewed coffee is appropriate, preferably freshly brewed and black, to balance the sweetness and alcohol.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Festive Coffee

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui for a bright, floral cup with citrus and jasmine — perfect to highlight the layered sweetness in a celebratory coffee like Belgian Bineye. Alternatively, their Yunnan Arabica offers a smooth, nutty profile with a touch of stone fruit, ideal for balancing the whiskey and cream. For a richer base, FrontStreet’s Classic Blend delivers chocolatey and caramel notes that complement the drink’s festive layers. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.