Drinking in Central and Eastern Europe isn’t quite the daredevil activity it once was in the decade after the fall of Communism, but it is still worth keeping your wits about you in former Eastern Bloc countries like Czechia, Poland, and Hungary. Trendy hotspots and gastropubs may have infiltrated cities like Prague, Krakow, and Budapest to the detriment of old-school beer halls and dive bars, but old traditions die hard and some locals hate when tourists break one unspoken rule while saluting new friends. It is a faux pas that catches some tourists out because it runs contrary to common practice in many other countries: offering a toast with beer.
Situated in Central Europe and sharing borders with Austria, Slovakia, Romania, Serbia, Croatia, and Slovenia, Hungary shares some similarities with its Slavic neighbors but has its own distinct language and culture that makes it unique. You only need to glance at a restaurant menu in Budapest to spot the difference — the Hungarian tongue is Finno-Ugric with almost no common links with the lingo of its neighbors. While the nation shares some customs with countries like Czechia, such St. Nicholas delivering gifts on Mikulas in early December, other traditions can leave visitors scratching their heads. Which is where we return to toasting and a common mistake visitors should try to avoid.
The reason why you shouldn’t toast with beer in Hungary
How to offer a toast in Hungary
The general rule of thumb in Hungary is that it is okay to offer a toast with any alcoholic beverage other than beer. If you are feeling brave you can impress your new drinking buddies by using the Hungarian equivalent of cheers, which is a bit daunting at first glance: “egészségedre” (pronounced eh-geh-sheh-geh-dreh) roughly translates to “to your health.” Don’t worry if you butcher it because they’ll appreciate the effort. Also make sure you maintain eye contact while toasting, because failing to do so invokes the superstition of seven years of bad luck and/or bad sex!
With beer off the table for toasting, wine is a common option but chances are you’ll be saluting each other with shots if you are hitting city bars. Hungarians are always eager to introduce visitors to two of their national drinks: Pálinka and Unicum. Hold onto your hat because they can pack a serious punch! Pálinka is a fiery brandy that can be as strong as 55% A.B.V. Typically it is made from plums, but it can be produced from a wide range of different fruits. Be extra vigilant if someone offers you homemade Pálinka, which can be especially potent. Then there is Unicum, a herbal liqueur famed for its unusual bomb-shaped bottle. Somewhat similar in taste to Jägermeister or Fernet but even more bitter, it something of an acquired taste but guaranteed to get the evening started with a bang.
