Drinks of American Presidents

By Bob Lipinski

Since 1789, our country has had 47 presidents—some well-known, others less so. While many enjoyed cocktails and alcoholic beverages, some chose not to drink. Here’s a quick look at the favorite drinks of our U.S. Presidents — and some may surprise you.

1. George Washington: Madeira, Champagne, Rye Whiskey, Porter (beer)

2. John Adams: Rum, Beer, Hard Cider, Porter (beer), Madeira

3. Thomas Jefferson: Wine, Champagne

4. James A. Madison: Wine, Champagne

5. James Monroe: Champagne, French Red Wine

6. John Quincy Adams: Madeira, Wine, Beer

7. Andrew Jackson: Bourbon and Rye Whiskey

8. Martin Van Buren: Whiskey, Schiedam Gin

9. William Henry Harrison: Didn’t Drink

10. John Tyler: Mint Julep, Champagne

11. James K. Polk: Wine, Champagne, Brandy

12. Zachary Taylor: Didn’t Drink

13. Millard Fillmore: Madeira

14. Franklin Pierce: Many Beverages

15. James Buchanan: Champagne, Cognac, Madeira, Sherry, Rye Whiskey

16. Abraham Lincoln: Wine, Champagne

17. Andrew Johnson: Bourbon Whiskey, Rye Whiskey, Canadian Whisky

18. Ulysses S. Grant: Bourbon Whiskey

19. Rutherford B. Hayes: Didn’t Drink

20. James A. Garfield: Beer

21. Chester A. Arthur: Wine, Liqueurs

22. Grover Cleveland: Lots of beer

23. Benjamin Harrison: Didn’t Drink

24. Grover Cleveland: Lots of beer

25. William McKinley: Rye Whiskey

26. Theodore Roosevelt: Mint Julep, Brandy, Rum

27. William Howard Taft: Champagne

28. Woodrow Wilson: Scotch Whisky

29. Warren G. Harding: Whiskey

30. Calvin Coolidge: Tokay Wine

31. Herbert Hoover: Wine, Dry Gin Martini

32. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Old Fashioned Cocktail, Gin Martini (Plymouth Gin), Bourbon Whiskey, Scotch Whisky, Beer, Brandy, Rum, Manhattan

33. Harry S. Truman: Old Grand-Dad Bourbon Whiskey, Old Fashioned Cocktail

34. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Scotch Whisky, Eggnog, Bourbon Whiskey

35. John F. Kennedy: Daiquiri, Bloody Mary, Heineken Beer

36. Lyndon B. Johnson: Cutty Sark Scotch Whisky

37. Richard M. Nixon: Scotch Whisky, Château Margaux, Dry Martini, Sparkling Wine

38. Gerald R. Ford: Gin & Tonic, Martini, Beer

39. Jimmy Carter: White Wine

40. Ronald Reagan: BV Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Vodka & Orange Juice

41. George H.W. Bush: Vodka Martini, Beer

42. William J. Clinton: Beer

43. George W. Bush: Doesn’t Drink

44. Barack Obama: Beer

45. Donald J. Trump: Doesn’t Drink

46. Joseph R. Biden, Jr.: Doesn’t Drink

47. Donald J. Trump: Doesn’t Drink

Bob Lipinski is the author of 10 books, including “101: Everything You Need To Know About Whiskey” and “Italian Wine & Cheese Made Simple” (available on Amazon.com). He consults and conducts training seminars on Wine, Spirits, and Food and is available for speaking engagements. He can be reached at www.boblipinski.com OR bkjm@hotmail.com.