The tradition of toasting: how raising a glass became commonplace

When you sit at a table with friends or family and someone raises a glass, you’re taking part in a ritual that stretches back thousands of years. Toasting is such a familiar act, it’s so ordinary that it’s easy to forget it has a history of its own. Where did this tradition come from? When did it become commonplace? And what are we really doing when we raise a glass together?

Let’s explore.

The ancient origins of toasting

Long before the clink of glasses and the cry of “cheers,” there was the simple act of lifting a vessel toward the sky. In ancient Greece, the act of raising a cup was both ceremonial and sacred. Wine was often poured out as an offering to the gods. A libation meant to show gratitude, ask for favor, or honor the dead.

At large feasts, hosts would lift their cups and speak words of blessing before drinking. The gesture was less about the drink itself and more about recognition: acknowledging the divine, the community, and the shared experience.

The Romans continued this practice, and their banquets often included elaborate toasts. The Latin phrase propinare (“to drink to someone”) described the act of drinking in another’s honor. It was both a show of respect and a way to bind people together at the table.

Why we call it a “toast”

Interestingly, the word “toast” itself comes from bread. In the Middle Ages, it was common to drop a piece of spiced or charred bread into wine or ale. The bread absorbed acidity and improved the flavor of rougher drinks. When someone drank in another’s honor, the bread floating in the cup symbolized the person being toasted.

By the 16th century, “toasting” had become associated less with bread and more with the act of honoring someone through drink. Shakespeare even makes mention of it, proof that the term had already entered English culture.

Toasting becomes social

As glassware and table rituals evolved in the Renaissance and early modern periods, toasting became an expected part of social gatherings. At banquets, weddings, and royal courts, people would rise, raise their cups, and dedicate their drink to health, prosperity, or friendship.

By the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, toasting had become something of an art form. Printed collections of “toasts” circulated, offering witty, poetic, or sometimes bawdy lines for people to recite. A good toast was a sign of sophistication, and failing to offer one could be seen as poor manners.

The democratic spirit of the toast

The courts of Europe used toasts to reinforce hierarchy, drinking to kings, nobles, and honored guests. While the tradition also carried a democratic spirit. Anyone, in theory, could raise a glass and offer words of connection.

In taverns, soldiers’ mess halls, and family tables, the toast became a way to pause the noise of daily life and mark a moment together. The content might differ. Some offered blessings of health, others a rowdy cheer, but the act itself said: we are in this together.

When toasting became commonplace

By the 19th century, toasting had spread far beyond elite banquets. The Industrial Revolution made glassware widely affordable, and the ritual of raising a glass became a feature of ordinary life. Weddings, birthdays, holiday dinners, and casual pub gatherings all included some version of a toast.

Printed etiquette books of the Victorian era gave advice on how to propose or respond to a toast. They stressed moderation and dignity, but also encouraged people not to skip this important social gesture. By this time, the toast was firmly entrenched in daily culture.

The cultural variations of toasting

Today, toasting traditions are wonderfully diverse:

• Czech Republic: Beer drinkers clink glasses, tap them on the table, and say Na zdraví (“to your health”). Eye contact is considered essential.
• Germany: A hearty Prost! rings out, often accompanied by a firm clink.
• Japan: The word Kanpai is shouted before drinking, meaning “empty the cup.”
• France: A simple Santé! (“health”) does the trick.
• Hungary: It is considered bad form to clink beer glasses, a tradition rooted in 19th-century history.

No matter the country, the theme is consistent: the toast is about connection, respect, and acknowledgment.

The meaning behind the ritual

Toasting is not just a quaint tradition, it’s a marker of presence. It creates a shared pause, a break in the flow of conversation where everyone acknowledges each other. It’s both a celebration and a grounding act.

When you raise your glass, you’re not only drinking; you’re signaling: I see you. I’m glad to be here with you. This moment matters.

That’s why the toast has survived for millennia. From ancient libations to modern weddings, it continues to bind us across tables, cultures, and centuries.

Conclusion

The tradition of toasting has traveled from ancient ritual to everyday habit. It has shifted from offering wine to the gods, to honoring kings, to clinking beer mugs with friends. Yet at its heart, it has always carried the same message: connection.

The next time you raise your glass, remember you’re participating in a tradition thousands of years old—a small act that acknowledges health, community, and the shared joy of being together.

So here’s to you. Cheers.