No matter where you spend your New Years’ Eve, you’re bound to wind up with a drink in your hand. However, where you spend your new year’s celebration may dictate what kind of drink you end up downing on at midnight. From sipping ashes in Russia to welcoming the new year with whiskey in Scotland, here are the unusual New Years’ drinking traditions from around the world.
Sip Niánjiǔ Throughout the New Year
The Chinese New Year, also called the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, takes place on the first day of the new moon each year between January 21 and February 20. Unlike any other New Years’ tradition around the world, the Chinese New Year is a 15-day long festival to celebrate the spring season. While the celebratory beverage of choice may vary from region to region, a prominent drink during the Chinese New Year is niánjiǔ (年酒). The actual translation of niánjiǔ (年酒) literally translates to “year alcohol.” Some households require each family member to take a sip of niánjiǔ (年酒) to protect the family from bad spirits throughout the year. For those celebrating the new year in southern China, niánjiǔ (年酒) is sometimes served alongside a sugary cake. In mainland China, baijiu, a white wine, is widely consumed but is not strictly served during the new year festivities, but rather for celebrations in general.
Welcome the New Year with Whiskey in Scotland
In Scottish, the word “Hogmanay” translates to the last day of the year and is typically associated with bringing in the new year in true Scottish fashion — loud laughter, ceilidh dancing, and lots of friends.
Of course, Scotland had to weave whiskey somewhere into their new year’s plans. During Hogmanay, many people in Scotland are keen to “first footing.” The first foot in the house past midnight on new years eve should walk through the door with bread, coal for the fire, or a bottle of whiskey. First-footing empty-handed is considered a rude gesture and may bring bad luck to the household for the new year. Oddly enough, it is also suggested and preferred that the first footer is a dark-haired male.
Attracting visitors from all parts of the globe, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party is the perfect place to experience the celebration for yourself. In fact, one of the main elements of Hogmanay is to welcome family, friends, and strangers with the same hospitality.
Drink Your Dreams in Russia
Many Russians follow the saying, “The way you meet the new year is the way you will spend it,” which helps to explain some of the new years’ traditions Russians celebrate. In Russia, each new years eve people write down on a piece of paper their wishes, goals, or dreams they want to accomplish or receive in the new year. Then, they burn this piece of paper with a candle, and carefully pour the ashes of their burnt wishes and manifestations into their glass of champagne and drink it into the new year. The idea is that each person will internalize their own dreams and goals.
However, there’s a catch. This all has to be done very quickly, during the time the clock on Spasskaya Tower of Kremlin rings at midnight in the city of Moscow. During this time, the champagne is popped and poured, and the burnt remnants of the new year desires are placed into each glass. Then, each member of the party cheers with each other and sinks back the flute of champagne.
Almost as much of a tradition as chugging your new year dreams, the January 1st hangover in Russia is typically one for the books. It’s not uncommon that people sleep the entire next day, and some do not wake up until January 2.
Crush Cava in Spain
In Spain, it’s common to sip on a glass of cava, a sparkling Spanish wine. However, there’s a twist!
As Spaniards raise their glasses into the new year, they each place a gold object into their drink and sip. From wedding rings to coins, the tradition welcomes all golden good luck charms. This ritual is said to bring good fortune and a good year, similar to the celebrations in Russia. Some believe you should try strawberry or raspberry cava if you’re looking for romance in the new year.
