Drinking with the presidents at the Willard




The full, annotated list is below:

44. Barack Obama: Blue Hawaiian




42. William J. Clinton: Tanquerary Gin and Tonic

A standard on the Washington cocktail circuit.

41. George H. Bush: Absolut Vodka Martini

Always politically correct, with or without garnish.

40. Ronald Reagan: California Sparkling Wine

Introduced to Washingtonians at Reagan’s first Inaugural.

39. Jimmy Carter: Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine


38. Gerald R. Ford: Glenfiddich Whiskey over ice


37. Richard M. Nixon: Bacardi and Coke.


36. Lyndon B. Johnson: Cutty Sark and Branch Water






33. Harry S. Truman: Maker’s Mark and soda


32. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Plymouth Gin Martini


31. Herbert Hoover: Long Island Iced Tea


30. Calvin Coolidge: Cranberry juice and soda

A gentle New England tonic to fortify one’s Puritan constitution.

29. Warren G. Harding: Seven and Seven

Popular highball among the “Ohio Gang,” especially when served at Speaker “Nicky” Longworth’s poker games.

28. Woodrow Wilson: French 75

A Versailles favorite used to toast the “League” and the end of the “War to end all Wars.”

27: William Howard Taft: Manhattan

The judge enjoyed his straight with two cherries.

26. Theodore Roosevelt: Ward 8

Politically-charged concoction, brought to D.C. by “Big Stick” Republicans from New York.

25. William McKinley: Gin Rickey

Lime-infused long drink made popular at the Chicago Exposition.

24. Grover Cleveland: Sazarac Cocktail

A New Orleans sensation, which swept the nation in the 1880’s.

23. Benjamin Harrison: Ramos Gin Fizz

Popularized a block from the White House after construction of the first “soda fountain” at the Willard Hotel.

22. Grover Cleveland: Moet Chandon Champagne

The nation celebrated a White House wedding with the finest of French Champagne.

21. Chester A Arthur: The Gibson

Popular with Tammany Democrats, and named for Chester’s mentor Senator Gibson from New York.

20. James A. Garfield: Dewars Scotch

Andrew Carnegie had the Scottish Distillers’ send the new president a case for his inaugural.

19. Rutherford B. Hayes: Orange Blossom


18. Ulysses S. Grant: Roman Punch

It was so cold in DC that this fruit and Champagne refresher froze solid in the bowl.

17. Andrew Johnson: Brandy Toddy

Johnson relied on this potion to cure “various vicarious vapors” known to afflict residents of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

16. Abraham Lincoln: Apple Cider

Although known to have acquired a taste for corn whiskey in his earlier years, fresh pressed apple juice would revive his constitution.

15. James Buchanan: French Claret

This red wine was the spirit of choice in socially astute pre-war D.C.

14. Franklin Pierce: Oachatel

This nectar of the Aztec Gods was discovered by the hero of the Mexican War and introduced first in New England, then in Washington D.C.

13. Millard Fillmore: Brandy Crusta

All the rage in New York and London.

12. Zachary Taylor: Mamie Taylor

This ginger infused refresher was named for Taylor’s corn-cob ‘smokin’ sweetie.

11. James K. Polk: Jack Daniels and water

Tennessee “walkin” whiskey is served as a manifest premonition of our nation’s destiny in 1850.

10. John Tyler: Southern-Style Mint Julep

Henry Clay mentored our 10th Chief Executive in the fine art of building this compromisingly elegant elixir.

9. William H. Harrison: Hot Spiced Cider

‘Twas a cold and rainy day in March when “Tippecanoe” walked up the avenue of the presidents to the White House.

8. Martin Van Buren: Hennessey Martini

An aristocratic mixture, first given to “Little Van” by Lafayette in 1825.

7. Andrew Jackson: Rye Whiskey

A straight two- finger pour of Tennessee’s Democratic frontier finest.

6. John Quincy Adams: Hot Buttered Rum

A New England toddy with the spiced flavor of the West Indies.

5. James Monroe: Sherry Cobbler

This cool long drink is often called America’s first cocktail, popularized during the Revolution.

4. James Madison: French Champagne

First Lady “Dolley” loved all things fashionable and French.

3. Thomas Jefferson: Meritage Red Wine

Our third president learned to love French wine while in Paris in the 1780s.

2. John Adams: Bitter Sling Cocktail

Made with a mix of rum and brandy, two of New England’s finest distilled products.

1. George Washington: Madeira Wine

Our first chief executive favored Malmsey, a fortified wine from this Mediterranean Isle. He was also partial to fruit brandies and Rye Whiskey, which he distilled at Mount Vernon.




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