44 Drinks For 44 Presidents: The Ultimate Inauguration Cocktail List
We gave you all the possible cocktails you needed for the election (whether you were a Republican or a Democrat); now, one Washington, D.C. bar has upped the ante and mapped out the ultimate presidential inauguration cocktail list: a drink for every president.
That's right, from George Washington to Barack Obama, Round Robin at the Willard InterContinental Hotel has created a drink for each president. The Washington Post's Going Out Guide points out just how accurately bartender Jim Hewes stuck to the political (and drinking) discourse when it came to creating a drink for each POTUS. For example, Franklin D. Roosevelt's drink, a Plymouth Gin martini, was the first drink he mixed after Prohibition was repealed; George Washington's drink, madeira, is one wine Washington often mentioned in letters. And there's even nonalcoholic options for the sober presidents on the list, like George W. Bush's Coca-Cola with lemon. And what's Obama's personal drink? The Blue Hawaiian, noted for his political party and vacation spot. (We're almost surprised it's not his Honey Ale.)
The Round Robin shared with us its 44 drinks for each president, so if you're gearing up for your own inauguration party — or want to relive the glory days of (fill in the blank) president — we have every drink you could possibly need.
44. Barack Obama — Blue Hawaiian
The drink combines the president's penchant for aged tequila and the cool blue waters of the Pacific; the Blue Hawaiin eatures aged tequila, Curaçao, and fresh lime juice.
43. George W. Bush — Diet Coca-Cola with a slice of lemon
"Light and crisp" — able to keep even the busiest chief executive, active, alert, and awake.
42. William J. Clinton — Tanqueray Gin and tonic
A standard on the Washington cocktail circuit during Clinton's term.
41. George H. Bush — Absolut Vodka martini
Always politically correct, with or without garnish.
40. Ronald Reagan — California sparkling wine
Introduced to Washingtonians at his first inauguration.
39. Jimmy Carter — alcohol-free white wine
Served, much to the dismay of the fourth estate, throughout his four years in the White House.
38. Gerald R. Ford — Glenfiddish Whisky, over ice
Served in the spirit of bipartisanship, Gerry also favored Budweiser "longnecks" in the bottle.
37. Richard M. Nixon — Bacardi Rum and Coke
Dick would relish mixing and stirring for his guests aboard the presidential yacht, the Sequoia.
36. Lyndon B. Johnson — Cutty Sark and Branch Water
A post-war favorite of "Cactus' Jack" Garner and Sam Rayburns' most famous protégé.
35. John F. Kennedy — Beefeater martini, up with olives
Served regally in the White House to those in the good graces of America's "Camelot."
34. Dwight D. Eisenhower — Johnnie Walker Black Label on the rocks
An acquired taste from his time spent at Allied headquarters in London during WWII.
33. Harry S. Truman — Maker's Mark and soda
An aficionado of Kentucky's finest, both he and Bess enjoyed this long-drink while playing poker at the White House.
32. Franklin D. Roosevelt — Plymouth Gin martini
"Oh... so cool, so clean, so awfully civilized!" said FDR. Often scolded by Eleanor for his penchant for the highball, this elegant elixir was served at the most important political party in DC; the Cocktail Party.
31. William Howard Taft — Manhattan
The judge enjoyed his straight with two cherries.
30. Herbert Hoover — Long Island Iced Tea
Prohibition-conscious imbibers relished this enticing tall drink, which contained everything on the bar except "the kitchen sink."
29. Calvin Coolidge — cranberry juice and soda
A gentle New England tonic to fortify one's Puritan constitution.
28. Warren G. Harding — Seven and Seven
This drink was a popular highball among the "Ohio Gang," especially when served at Speaker "Nicky" Longworth's poker games.
27. Woodrow Wilson — French 75
A Versailles' favorite used to toast the "League" and the end of the "war to end all wars."
26. Theodore Roosevelt — Ward 8
A 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 — Sazerac
The New Orleans sensation swept the nation in the 1880s.
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 — Moët & 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, it's 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
Washington's pressmen spiked the oranges with gin at the "tea totalling" Hayes inaugural in 1877.
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 — Oachtel
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 Daniel's 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 — Hennessy martini
An aristocratic mixture, first given to "little Van" by the Lafayette in 1825.
7. Andrew Jackson — rye whiskey
A 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 "Dolly" 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.