The origins of toasting: history and curiosities

Between glasses raised high and heartfelt cheers shouted aloud, every toast marks a moment worth remembering. Some always find the right words for any occasion, while others rely on bold improvisation hoping to raise a smile. Some keep it brief and concise, others ramble on awkwardly. In the end, the meaning remains the same: celebrating friendship with one of the most iconic gestures of conviviality, clinking glass against glass.

The custom of raising a drink to celebrate a special occasion or to honour friends near or far has ancient roots, with records scattered throughout history, particularly in the classical era. From the heroes of the Homeric epics, who were well ahead of their time and already accustomed to raising a cup ‘to one another’s health’, to the present day, different cultures have enriched and shaped this gesture in their own way. It is a fascinating journey through history, where people have always been bound together by the common thread of conviviality and the desire to celebrate together. But how did this tradition begin?

The famous tradition of drinking to the health of the living likely began in Ancient Greece and continued into Roman times, honouring the gods and tied to wine as a precious drink and an omen of good fortune. Traces of the ritual endured through the Middle Ages, when toasts from poets and wanderers echoed inside tavern walls, celebrating love and youth. It was between the 16th and 17th centuries that the word ‘brindisi’ entered the Italian language, as a greeting or well-wish paired with raising a glass to mark an important occasion. An ancient origin—legend has it that the ritual of toasting spans at least 5,000 years—that captures today’s practice of toasting, bringing people and hearts together.

And while in Italy we like to seal a toast to the sound of cin-cin or with direct eye contact, sometimes accompanied by enthusiastic arm-waving, have you ever wondered what people say and do across the rest of the world? Here are some of the best-known and most unusual international traditions.

Let’s start with Spain, where the ritual is taken quite seriously. If you are visiting the capital, you will want to know the classic ‘Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa dentro’ to impress your local friends; in Catalonia, a simple ‘Salud’ will do. In England people say ‘Cheers’, as do those in the United States and Canada. The origin of the word ‘toast’ is actually linked to bread: in the past, toasted bread was placed into wine to cut through its acidity.

In China, people down beers and cocktails in one go with ‘Ganbei’; elders raise their glasses higher, which are then turned upside down on the table to show not a single drop remains. In Japan the word is ‘Kanpai’, carrying much the same meaning (‘dry the glass’). In France, you say ‘Santé’, in Brazil ‘Vida’ or ‘Saude’, and in Scandinavia ‘Skol’ (‘cup’).

Every country has its customs, but sharing is what matters. If you are looking for a good excuse to raise your glasses, Aperol has launched its Together We Can Cheer initiative. The aim is to create an endless chain of toasts with Aperol Spritz and by taking part you can instantly find out if you have won an official Aperol Spritz kit with everything needed for a textbook aperitivo: two Aperol Spritz glasses, a bottle of Aperol, one of Prosecco D.O.C. and four small bottles of soda.

A fun way to toast with the quintessential cocktail of Italian conviviality, sure to please everyone with its unmistakable taste and vibrant orange colour.

How do you take part? Grab your smartphone, head to www.togetherwecancheer.it, switch on your camera and follow the instructions to record a video of yourself toasting with a glass of Aperol Spritz. Toast to the right, then to the left, and with this simple gesture you will help build an endless, constantly growing virtual chain of joy, fun and connection with friends near and far. In the meantime, here is a quick reminder of the essential steps to make a perfect Aperol Spritz, following the official 3-2-1 recipe:

• fill a wine glass with ice (to keep the cocktail at the right temperature);
• pour in 3 parts Prosecco D.O.C.;
• add 2 parts Aperol;
• add 1 part soda or sparkling water;
• stir gently with a cocktail stirrer (or spoon);
• garnish with a slice of orange.

And at this point, as they say in Germany, ‘Prost!’.