Teetotalers, Connoisseurs, And Alcoholics: Drinking Habits Of The U.S. Presidents Slideshow

David Souza, founder and head distiller of Souza comments on our first Founding Father's taste in booze, "like many men of his day, was known to prefer fortified wines like Madeira and Port. Also, he owned a whiskey distillery which operates today at Mt. Vernon. Corbin continues, "Washington knew absolutely nothing about how to distill spirits. In fact, it was his Scottish farm manager who convinced him to start a distillery. Smartly, Washington recognized that booze was a potentially huge revenue source and used ingredients grown on his land to produce an estate-grown blended rye whiskey." 

Former Commander in Chief Martin Van Buren's presidential term unfortunately included running the country while it was in a state of financial hardship. Thankfully for him, whiskey was always there for him after long days of major decision-making.

Unfortunately, Franklin Pierce is remembered as something of a drunk. Apparently, he never turned down a glass, especially after he left office. Mark Will-Weber, author of Mint Juleps with Teddy Roosevelt: The Complete History of Presidential Drinking, quotes Pierce as having asked rhetorically, "What can an ex-president of the United States do except get drunk?" Well, at least he was coherent enough to survive one term as our country's leader, but it is said that he died of alcoholic excess.

Andrew Johnson only served one term, as he was the first president to be impeached. In the aftermath of the unfortunate occurrence, it's highly likely that he reached for his favorite spirit, whiskey.

President Hayes seldom drank as his wife Lucy was a teetotaler and wanted her husband to follow her lead and abstain as well. Some historians believe that White House staffers were sympathetic to presidential guests who may have wanted an alcoholic drink, so the kitchen staff decided to infuse rum into the oranges used in punch. President Hayes intercepted the plan and ordered staffers to substitute rum flavoring instead. 

President McKinley's preferred libation was rye whiskey. In fact, he had the honor of having a cocktail named after him, a variation on the Manhattan called McKinley's Delight. Popular around the time of his election in 1896, the drink is made up of rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, cherry brandy, and absinthe.

Eric "ET" Tecosky, owner and founder of Dirty Sue Premium Olive Juice, notes of President Roosevelt that "[I]t's well-documented that he enjoyed a dirty martini from time to time and poured with a heavy hand." Tecosky continues, "Some even claim he invented it, though hard evidence is difficult to come by. No one knows what prompted him to add a bit of olive juice to his gin, except maybe that it's delicious."  It might also be noted that it was under Roosevelt that Prohibition was repealed.

J.F.K. often swilled daiquiris and Bloody Marys. When he wanted to loosen his tie, he would opt for Heineken, which was considered a luxury at the time he was in office because it was not yet widely imported.

Assuming the office of presidency after the Watergate scandal and Nixon's resignation, President Ford definitely needed his vice: Martinis. WTOP.com reports that he took his mid-day break seriously with more than a few martinis at lunch.

While in the White House, Carter would choose non-alcoholic white wine to end the day. Much to the dismay of others in the White House, no one dared to question his choice.  

President Obama appreciates great beer whether craft or mainstream. The White house reports that President Obama brought a home brewing kit for the kitchen and now brews White House Honey Brown Ale (with honey from the property's hives) — the first alcohol brewed or distilled on the White House grounds. Due to such success, we say "Ale to the Chief!"