Behind the solemnity of the Oval Office and the weight of the world on their shoulders, U.S. presidents are human beings with a penchant for unwinding with a drink or two. Let's take a lighthearted look at 15 presidents who loved to booze, drink, and have some fun, celebrating their humanity and their love for a good time.
George Washington: The father of our country, Washington was known to have the largest whiskey distillery in America at the time. He enjoyed a strong drink called "Fish House Punch," a concoction of rum, brandy, peach brandy, sugar, lemon juice, and water.
Thomas Jefferson: A true oenophile, Jefferson was known to drink three glasses of wine a day and even grew his own grapes at Monticello. He bought 20,000 bottles of wine for social events at the White House, amounting to a $10,000 debt (about $150,000 today).
James Madison: Madison reportedly drank a pint of whiskey a day. His wife, Dolley, hosted more ragers (ahem, formal dinners) than any other presidential spouse during her eight-year tenure at the White House.
Franklin Pierce: Mocked as the “hero of many a well-fought bottle,” Pierce was known for his love of alcohol, though it may have been a coping mechanism for personal tragedies.
Andrew Jackson: Known for his love of whiskey and his legendary temper, Jackson once got into a bar fight in Nashville that left him with bullet fragments in his body for the rest of his life.
Ulysses S. Grant: Despite being a lightweight drinker, Grant developed a habit of self-medicating with alcohol, which he later tried to control in his memoirs.
Grover Cleveland: Cleveland enjoyed a beer or two and was known to frequent local taverns. He even had a beer named after him, called "Grover Cleveland's Presidential Ale."
Warren G. Harding: A fan of poker and whiskey, Harding was known to host all-night poker games in the White House, where the alcohol flowed freely.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: FDR enjoyed his cocktails, especially his signature drink, the "Haitian Libation," a mix of rum, orange juice, and grenadine.
Harry S. Truman: Truman was a whiskey drinker and enjoyed a good bourbon. He even had a sign on his desk that read "The Buck Stops Here," which could have been a nod to his love for a good drink.
John F. Kennedy: JFK enjoyed a variety of cocktails, including daiquiris and the "Presidential Martini," which was a mix of vodka, dry vermouth, and a lemon twist.
Lyndon B. Johnson: LBJ was known for driving around his Texas ranch with a large foam cup full of Cutty Sark scotch and soda, refilling it on the go.
Richard Nixon: Despite his reputation for paranoia, Nixon enjoyed his alcohol, especially when he was in the mood to party.
Gerald Ford: Ford was a fan of the three-Martini lunch and enjoyed sneaking away from a stuffy presidential Christmas to pal around with the press.
Barack Obama: Though not known for excessive drinking, Obama did enjoy a beer or two. He even brewed his own beer at the White House, called "White House Honey Ale."
Conclusion: These 15 U.S. presidents, from George Washington to Barack Obama, prove that even the most powerful leaders in the world need to unwind and have a good time. While they were serious about their duties, they also knew how to enjoy life's simple pleasures, like a well-crafted cocktail or a smooth glass of wine. Cheers to these leaders who knew how to work hard and play hard!
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