My husband and I have made it an annual tradition to ring in the new year in Europe. Last year, we drank champagne and said Bonne Année in the City of Lights near the Eiffel Tower. This year, we said hello to 2023 in Geneva.
This was my first visit to the beautiful city located in the southwesternmost corner of Switzerland. The people were friendly and polite, the food was delicious and the city was clean, safe, and beautiful. It comes as no surprise that the people who live in Switzerland are among the happiest in the world. That may sound like a bold claim, but it’s true! According to the latest World Happiness Report, Switzerland comes in 4th place as the happiest place to live (the top three spots go to Finland, Denmark, and Iceland).
The husband and I walking by Lake Geneva, January 1, 2023
Jet d’Eau, Water Fountain that shoots 140 metres (459 ft) into the air
I have to say, when I was there, *I* was very happy. Plus, drinking one of their traditional “wellness” drinks certainly put a smile on my face.
I was offered a traditional Grog at our hotel bar, and after trying it, I definitely want to recreate it back at home on cool winter nights. A Grog is a hot, alcoholic drink, similar to a hot toddy, but instead of whiskey, the Swiss use rum.
I learned from the locals that the drink is a typical go-to when one feels like they’re about to come down with a cold, or they already have one.
All I can say is, the drink is tasty and it warms you up from the inside out; and, yes, it seems like a great decongestant.
Grog, alcoholic drink that locals traditionally drink when they feel like they’re about to come down with a cold or already have one
Traditional Grog Recipe:
- 2 ounces dark rum
- 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 4 ounces of hot water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 slice orange
Cheers!
