Do you know three famous French beverages? No – Here they are:
Le kir
Le French Martini
Le chocolat viennois (it’s a hot drink)
You know some French drinks. But do you know the social customs to remember when it comes to drink in French?
If you read this article you’ll know everything you need to know. That’s normal if you are a bit lost now, after reading it and doing the execises, you’ll be ready for your AMAZING French drinking trip!
I’m Thomas Ricomard, I teach French to students from many countries.
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On ne se connait pas tant qu’on n’a pas bu ensemble. Qui vide son verre vide son cœur.
Victor Hugo
Discovering the French drinking culture
Traditional French beverages
Here are some traditional French drinks:
Le vin
The best-known wines are made in the Bordeaux, Burgundy, Champagne and Alsace regions.
Le Champagne
A sparkling wine produced only in the Champagne region. A bottle of Champagne is shared to celebrate events large and small.
Le cidre
An apple-based alcoholic beverage popular in Normandy and Brittany. There are several types of cider: sweet and dry.
Le Calvados
An apple or pear brandy from the Normandy region. It is aged in oak barrels, giving it a distinctive flavor.
Le Pastis
An aniseed-flavored drink widely consumed in the south of France. It needs to be mixed with water to be drinkable.
Le Chartreuse
A liqueur produced by Carthusian monks since the 18th century. It is produced in two versions, green and yellow, both with different tastes.
L’Armagnac et le Cognac
Two types of aged French brandy, produced in the Gascony and Cognac regions.
Le kir
Dry white wine is added to crème de cassis. There are several variations, such as the Kir Royal with champagne.
Le vin chaud (it’s a hot drink)
Warm red wine mixed with spices, often consumed during the winter.
L’absinthe
An alcoholic drink made from the plant of the same name.
Watch this video to know how to make your own mulled wine.
Customs in French bars
These behaviors are not appropriate everywhere. I’ve put them here to give you a general idea of the atmosphere in the bars in France.
Greetings
It’s customary to greet persons as you enter the bar, the staff of course, but also customers, depending on where they’re seated.
Waiting at the table
In many bars in France, especially in the evening, you’ll be served at your table, so you don’t have to order at the bar. In general, you wait for the waiter to show you to your table.
Ordering
If you’re at a table, the waiter or waitress will take your order. If you’re at the bar, either the bartender comes to you, or you tell him or her what you want.
Tipping
It’s not customary to tip in France, but a tip of around 5-10% is generally appreciated.
Taking the time
It’s part of French culture to take the time to appreciate a drink, and sometimes to socialize.
Cultural exchange
Chatting to regulars or bar staff is a great way to find out more about the city.
Respect for others
Respect other customers and don’t make too much noise. In general, personns like to be able to talk easily, so in a quiet environment.
Exercise
If you already have tried some of them, I suggest you to choose one and to write in the comments why you like it. I’ll correct your French.
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To remember
I invite you to do your own list of favorite French beverages.
I give you here a list of my three favorite ones
Le cidre
Le kir
Le vin chaud
La France est ce pays magique où le plus commun des troquets peut vous servir n’importe quand un grand champagne à température idéale.
Amélie Nothomb
Exploring French café society
The role of cafés in French social life
Cafés play a very important role.
Social gatherings
Friends, family and work colleagues often meet in cafés to relax and chat.
Cultivating the art of living
People sometimes stay for hours, taking the time to appreciate their coffee or hot chocolate. They read or enjoy the passing of time.
Outdoor terraces
Many cafés have outdoor terraces. Here, people can enjoy the sunshine and warm temperatures of spring and summer.
Observing city life
People like to sit in cafés to watch passers-by and observe how the city lives.
Les café-philo
Some cafés organize café-philo events, where subjects are discussed from a philosophical point of view. The French attach great importance to intellectual activity.
Cultural events
Some cafés organize cultural events
art exhibitions
poetry readings
concerts
Business meetings
In cafés, business meetings are more relaxed.
Chess and board games
In some cafés you can play board games or chess.
Coffee break
It’s part of French tradition. Employees often take a coffee break to relax and chat.
Cultural heritage
Cafés are part of our cultural heritage. Artists, writers and intellectuals used to meet there. In Paris, for example, Jeau-Paul Sartre often went to the Café de Flore.
Popular drinks to order in a French café
Vous voulez boire quelque chose ? / Aimeriez-vous boire quelque chose ? Do you want to drink something?
Nous voudrions trois tasses de thé vert, s’il vous plaît. We’d like three cups of green tea, please.
Un verre d’eau pour moi. A glass of water for me.
Here are a few drinks you could order in a French café:
Le café (Coffee)
Un café (un espresso): a strong, short espresso.
Un café allongé: an espresso diluted with more water.
Un café crème: an espresso with hot milk.
Le thé
Un thé noir (a black tea)
Un thé vert (a green tea)
Un thé à la menthe: a green tea with sugar and fresh mint.
Un café au lait: a milk coffee.
Un cappuccino
Un noisette (it means hazelnut): an espresso with a small amount of milk or cream.
Un chocolat chaud (a hot chocolate)
Un chocolat viennois: a thick hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Un sirop d’orgeat (orgeat syrup)
Un diabolo: lemonade + syrup.
De l’eau plate ou pétillante (still or sparkling water)
Des jus de fruits frais (fresh fruit juices)
Exercise
If you already have tried some of them, I suggest you to choose one and to write in the comments why you like it. I’ll correct your French.
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
……………………………………………
To remember
I invite you to do your own list of favorite French beverages.
Champagne is associated with festivity, celebration and luxury. Here’s why:
Heritage and tradition
Champagne has been around for centuries and is made using traditional skills. This contributes to its prestige.
Celebrations and victories
It’s often associated with success: a wedding, in the workplace, winning a sporting competition, etc.
Cultural associations
Not only is it deeply rooted in French culture, but it’s also well known the world over. For example, it is associated with cultural events such as New Year’s Eve.
Elegance
It is carefully presented in flutes (specific glass for the champagne).
Sabrage ritual
The bottle can be opened with a saber. It’s a tradition: the neck is cut with a sword. It reinforces the majestic, festive aspect of the event.
Regional festivities and their signature drinks
La fête de la musique (June 21rst) – Drinks: beer and wine.
It takes place all over France on the day of the summer solstice. Concerts are held in the streets.
La fête nationale (July 14th) – Drinks: champagne and aperitifs.
To commemorate the French Revolution. People leave their homes to watch the fireworks and sometimes the parades.
Menton lemon festival (February-March) – Drink: limoncello (a lemon liqueur).
The town of Menton celebrates citrus fruits with float parades and citrus sculptures.
La fête de la bière à Strasbourg (August-September) – Drink: local beer.
You can discover a variety of local beers brewed in Alsace.
Les vendanges (September) – Drink: le vin nouveau.
During the harvest period, festivals are held to celebrate the grape harvest. People drink the wine that has just been pressed.
La fête de la lavande à Sault (August) – Drink: lavender lemonade.
To celebrate lavender. Lavender drinks are available.
La fête du vin à Bordeaux (June) – Drink: Bordeaux wines.
Bordeaux wines only. There are concerts and entertainment throughout the city.
To remember
The two most famous events in France are
La fête de la musique
La fête natioanle
French cocktails and mixology
Classic French cocktails to know
Here are some of the most iconic French ones you should know:
Le Mimosa
Champagne (or sparkling wine) mixed with fresh orange juice.
Le French 75
Made with gin, champagne, sugar syrup and lemon juice.
Le Negroni blanc
Made with white vermouth, gin and Americano.
Le Picon bière
Made with Picon, lager and a slice of orange.
Le Boulevardier
Similar to Negroni, the difference is that bourbon or whisky is used instead of gin.
Le French Martini
Made with vodka, raspberry liqueur and pineapple juice.
Watch this video to know how to make your own French 75.
Innovative French mixologists and bars
Here are some of the establishments that have contributed to the development of mixology in France:
Lulu White Drinking Club (Paris)
inspired by the Paris of the early 20th century. Enjoy drinks in chic surroundings.
Le Syndicat (Paris)
Offers a wide range of French spirits. They are made with local ingredients.
Candelaria (Paris)
Known for its innovative creations.
Gravity Bar (Nantes)
Innovative and regularly changing drinks.
Bespoke (Paris)
You can create your own cocktails. Mixologists ask customers for their preferences in terms of flavors and ingredients.
Sherry Butt (Paris)
Offers a wide range of cocktails and spirits.
Danico (Paris)
Offers high-end cocktails with unique creations.
Combat (Paris)
They are made with local ingredients.
Exercise
In the comments, list the ingredients of what would be your best cockctail ever! I’ll correct the language.
Bonjour, je voudrais un verre de vin, s’il vous plaît. (Hi, I’d like a glass of wine, please.) Bonjour, deux boissons énergisantes, s’il vous plaît. (Hello, two energy drinks, please).
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