FeaturesDecember 31, 2006
Toast to the New Year
It's the final day of 2006. If you're preparing age-old traditions, you're not alone. At the stroke of midnight, people with champagne-filled glasses will toast to the new year. Toasting with champagne is a universal lucky tradition, said Dwayne Schaaf, executive chef at Celebrations Restaurant and Bar. ...
~To champagne and any drink that makes your New Year's whole.
It's the final day of 2006. If you're preparing age-old traditions, you're not alone. At the stroke of midnight, people with champagne-filled glasses will toast to the new year. Toasting with champagne is a universal lucky tradition, said Dwayne Schaaf, executive chef at Celebrations Restaurant and Bar. "Champagne is a luxury, and a toast is something used to start any big event or welcome the new year," he said. Champagne's creation was actually an accident. A climate shift in the Champagne region of France in the late 1400s caused an excessive amount of carbon dioxide in the wines, which were filled with bubbles. At first, French royalty were disgusted by the new wines coming from the Champagne region, and Dom Pérignon was instructed to decrease the bubbles in wine. But by the 17th century, consumers of the bubbly wine began to find it attractive, said Southeast Missourian food columnist Tom Harte.
"Champagne is a very festive drink, and its bubbles go along with any form of celebrations, including the new year," Harte said. Toasting came before champagne was ever invented. "In the 16th century, it was custom to dip your toast into wine, drink the wine and eat the toast," Schaaf said. "The toasting and bubbles of champagne go with any form of celebrations."
The tradition of "clinking" glasses also goes back to the 16th century. Wine was the main beverage during that time because it was one of the only safe liquids available. Water was often polluted, and milk was for children. The wine was often filled with sediment, and poison could be easily added to it. To prove the wine was safe, the host would pour a bit of his guest's wine into his own glass and drink it. In return, a guest would clink his glass as a sign of trust and honesty. Harte said the clinking noise of the glasses added a sense of enjoyment and brought a festive feel to events. So this New Year's Eve, raise your champagne glasses, clink and toast to 2007.
---
~And if your poison isn't champagne, here's what local bartenders had to say about the other drinks of choice.
Matt Hill
Pour House Pub bartender
Signature drink: Blueberry Hill shot
Strangest drink request: Shot of vodka and lime juice
Most popular drink among men: Beer
Most popular drink among women: Cranberry juice and vodka
Busiest night of the year: Any Tuesday night
---
Yvonne Brown
Buckner-Ragsdale's bartender
Signature drink: Microbrewed beers
Strangest drink request: A Jim and Beam
Most popular drink among men: Beer
Most popular drink among women: Cranberry juice and vodka
Busiest night of the year: May -- Southeast Missouri State University's graduation
---
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
Josh Pennebaker
Jeremiah's bartender
Signature drink: Miss Robinson
Strangest drink request: Pineapple juice and Bacardi 151
Most popular drink among men: Whiskey and Coke
Most popular drink among women: Cherry vodka and Sprite
Busiest night of the year: Fat Tuesday
---
Todd Hennemann
Rude Dog Pub co-owner
Signature drink: Bloody Mary
Most popular drink among men: Beer
Most popular drink among women: Something sweet and difficult to make
Busiest night of the year: St. Patrick's Day
---
Dave Jackson
Broussard's bartender
Signature drink: Dave's Delight
Strangest drink request: Tequila and Tabasco sauce
Most popular drink among men: Bud Light or Jack Daniels and Coke
Most popular drink among women: Malibu rum and pineapple juice
Busiest night of the year: Fat Tuesday
Story Tags
Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:
For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.
Related
FeaturesOct. 24
Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!
