History of the Toast: From Ancient Banquets to Boardroom Dinners

Why the simple act of raising a glass still matters

There’s a moment at any meaningful gathering—just before the first sip is taken—when someone rises with a glass in hand. A hush settles. A few words are spoken. Glasses are raised. And for a fleeting second, everyone is united in purpose.

That moment is the toast. An age-old tradition that has transcended time, geography, and culture—yet still feels curiously relevant in today’s fast-paced world.

But where did this tradition begin? Why do we still do it? And how can we master the art ourselves?

Let’s raise a glass to its origins.

Yes, There Was Once Actual Toast

The term “toast” can be traced to the 16th and 17th centuries, when people often dropped a piece of spiced or charred bread into their wine or ale. This wasn’t a garnish—it was practical. The bread helped mellow the harsh flavors and absorb sediment. In fact, it was common in medieval Europe for warm bowls of wine or beer to be served with bread swimming inside.

The Shakespearean character Falstaff, ever the jester and drinker, once asked for a “toast”—not a speech, but bread with his refill of wine.

As the practice evolved, the person being honored became associated with the spiced bread offered in their name. In time, “giving a toast” meant offering words to honor someone or something, even as the bread quietly disappeared from the ceremony.

By the 1700s, it was the speech, not the snack, that stole the show. Elaborate toasts became common at formal gatherings, and by the 1800s, to be called “the toast of the town” was to be the subject of admiration and praise—especially if you were a woman of rare beauty or charm.

So this New Year’s Eve, when you raise a glass, remember: you’re part of a lineage that began with literal soggy bread.

The Ancient Roots of Toasting

The earliest known toasts weren’t made in banquet halls, but among the gods.

In Homer’s Iliad (Book 4), the divine cupbearer Hebe fills golden goblets for the gods, who raise their cups in toasts of nectar and ambrosia. In the Odyssey, Odysseus toasts to the health of Achilles—an early example of the health-centered toast that still endures today.

But for mortals, toasting became ritualized through an event known as the symposion, derived from the Greek word sympinein, meaning “to drink together.” These gatherings were elegant affairs: food had already been served, and what followed was an evening of wine, poetry, music, and discussion.

Wine was shared from a large central urn known as a krater, the ancient world’s equivalent of a punch bowl. Guests would fill their cups, and the host or symposiarch would guide the evening's flow, including rounds of toasts—often to the gods, health, or to fellow guests. One common toast was “To Zeus Soter!” (Zeus the Savior), or simply “To Hygieia!”—the goddess of health.

Attic red-figure vase with a kalos inscription (καλός), meaning “beautiful.” Guests at Greek symposia often toasted admired youths by name, sometimes while playfully twirling their cups during games like kottabos.

This reverence through wine carried into the Roman era, where citizens raised their cups to both traditional gods and emperors. A toast like “Augusto, patri patriae, feliciter!” (“Hail to Augustus, father of the country!”) reflected loyalty and divine reverence. Later, Romans would offer libations with cries of “Dii propitii!” — “May the gods be favorable!”

Toasting evolved into a demonstration of loyalty and trust. One legend suggests that cups were deliberately clinked with force so wine might spill between vessels—an assurance that no one had been poisoned. Whether fact or folklore, the gesture became a symbol of mutual goodwill and safety.

2nd Century Roman farmers drinking a toast, from a home in El Alia, Tunisia. Tunis, Musée National Du Bardo (Archaeological Museum) (DeAgostini/Getty Images)

From Courts to Clubs: Toasting as Social Code

By the 17th and 18th centuries, toasting had become an art form in European aristocracy. At royal courts and formal dinners, toasts followed strict protocol: the order of speakers, the subject, even the phrasing, was often dictated by custom.

In British high society, for instance, it was common to toast the monarch, followed by noble guests, and then the host. To decline a toast was to risk offense; to fumble one was a mark of social inelegance.

Toasts weren’t just polite formalities—they reflected your education, your confidence, and your standing. The ability to deliver a well-crafted toast was considered an essential skill of a gentleman.

Clubs and societies of the era embraced the practice, even composing toasting manuals. It was performance, etiquette, and ritual all at once.

Toasting in the Modern Age

Today, the toast remains woven into the fabric of our social lives. From weddings and birthdays to boardroom celebrations and retirement dinners, the gesture persists.

Yet, as our conversations grow more digital and less personal, the toast has taken on renewed significance. A short speech, delivered with sincerity, feels increasingly rare—and powerful.

Why does it still resonate?

Because toasting is more than just raising a glass.It’s an act of presence. It says: “This moment matters.”

In business, a well-delivered toast can elevate your leadership presence. In personal life, it can turn a dinner into a memory. And in friendships, it reminds others that they are seen, valued, and celebrated.

✒️ The Anatomy of a Timeless Toast

A great toast is neither too long nor too stiff. It’s a blend of wit, warmth, and timing. Here’s how to craft one with grace:

1. Open with attention

Begin with a simple gesture to quiet the room. A gentle clink or a raised glass works. Establish eye contact.

2. Speak to the moment

A toast should be relevant to the occasion. What are you celebrating? Who are you honoring? Avoid clichés and be specific.

“We’re here not just to mark another year, but to honor the risks that brought us here…”

3. Add a personal touch

Share a brief anecdote, insight, or observation. This adds authenticity and shows thoughtfulness.

“I still remember our first chaotic day at the office. Who knew that would grow into this partnership?”

4. Use language with rhythm

A good toast has musicality. Consider your phrasing. Parallelism, contrast, and alliteration help. But keep it natural—avoid sounding like a Shakespeare monologue.

5. Keep it short

Two minutes or less. Leave your audience wanting more, not checking their watch.

6. End with unity

Conclude with a clear, raise-your-glass moment that others can echo.Examples:

• “To enduring friendships.”

• “To the road ahead.”

• “To love, in all its forms.”

Why This Ritual Still Matters

In our ever-busier lives, it’s easy to rush from one thing to the next without pause. But the toast asks us to slow down, reflect, and articulate what matters. It’s a humanizing act.

At The Gentry, we believe in the enduring value of rituals that center us—those small gestures that carry the weight of culture, dignity, and care.

Toasting may seem like a minor tradition. But within it lies a timeless reminder:Words have power. Presence has meaning. And celebration, when done with intention, connects us to something deeper.

Final Thoughts

So the next time you're offered the chance to toast—take it. Whether it’s at a dinner table with friends, a business victory, or even just an intimate date night at home, speak with heart.

Be brief, be thoughtful, be bold.

And above all—be present.

To the past, and to the present. To heritage, and to the moment. Cheers.