Drinking Habits of 20 World Leaders
Here at Lancaster Brewery, we’re partial to a pint of Lancaster Blonde, or one of our delicious seasonal T’Ales from the Brewhouse, to help us unwind after the end of a long day. You can’t go wrong with a well-brewed pint. But have you ever wondered what some of the most powerful people in the world’s drinks of choice are? We’ve done a bit of digging to find out the drinking habits of past and present world leaders, and you might be surprised by some of the results...
Current World Leaders
Queen Elizabeth, Queen of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth: Her Majesty’s former chef once said that the Queen’s favourite tipple is a gin and Dubbonet, or a sweet German wine with dinner.
Theresa May, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom: The UK Prime Minister has said in the past that her favourite drink is the Welsh whisky Penderyn.
Donald Trump, President of the United States: President Trump is teetotal and has said that he has never drunk alcohol in his life, as he blames the death of his brother Ted on alcoholism.
Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany: Although the German Chancellor has been seen enjoying a good old German stein on occasion, her favourite drink is apparently white wine.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France: The French President reportedly drinks around fourteen glasses of wine per week, but has recently been advised to reduce this to ten glasses instead - everything in moderation.
Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada: The Canadian Prime Minister told the Huffington Post that he prefers beer over wine.
Xi Jinping, President of China: When the Chinese President visited the UK in 2015, Xi Jinping joined former Prime Minister David Cameron for a pint of Greene King IPA in a local pub.
Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand: Jacinda Arden’s favourite drink is reportedly whisky. When asked if she had a favourite, she said: "You know what, the terrible answer is I like all of them.”
Kim Jong-Un, Supreme Leader of North Korea: During a summit with the leader of South Korea, Kim Jong-Un reportedly drank multiple shots of munbaeju, a liquor measuring at 40% alcohol, and enthusiastically accepted every drink!
Vladimir Putin, President of Russia: Vladimir Putin is reportedly not much of a drinker and generally avoids alcohol, unless the drink is part of a formal reception or ceremony, but definitely isn’t the sort to frequent his local pub.
Historic World Leaders
Queen Victoria - United Kingdom - Queen Victoria is known to have been a whisky drinker. Her favourite drink was reportedly single malt whisky mixed with claret.
Winston Churchill - United Kingdom - Winston Churchill certainly enjoyed a drink or two. In 1899 at the age of 25, Churchill was sent to the front line of the Boer War whilst working as a correspondent on the Morning Post. He reportedly took with him 36 bottles of wine, 18 bottles of scotch, and six bottles of vintage brandy. That sounds like some work trip!
Barack Obama - United States - President Obama has been seen enjoying a glass of wine and a margarita or two, but his favourite drink appears to be beer. In 2011, Obama purchased a homebrewing kit in order to brew White House Honey Ale, the first beer known to have been brewed in the White House.
Abraham Lincoln - United States - President Lincoln was known to very rarely drink alcohol, and reportedly said that it made him feel “flabby and undone” - it happens to the best of us! However, he would sip champagne or wine at official functions so that people didn’t think he was boring.
John F Kennedy - United States - Sources claim that JFK’s drink of choice was a cocktail, generally a daiquiri or a Bloody Mary, although apparently he also enjoyed a Heineken.
Richard Nixon - United States - Nixon is said to have enjoyed expensive French wines, and apparently served cheaper wines to his guests so that he could keep the best ones for himself.
Mao Zedong - China - Chairman Mao’s favourite drink was reportedly Maotai, a distilled Chinese liquor. During the U.S. presidential visit to China in 1972, the Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai entertained President Nixon by putting a match to his Maotai and setting it on fire.
Joseph Stalin - Russia / USSR - Stalin was reportedly not much of a drinker, although he would occasionally enjoy a classic Russian vodka. He was also known to have enjoyed a dirty martini.
Nelson Mandela - South Africa - Nelson Mandela reportedly enjoyed semi-sweet white wine.
Cleopatra - Pharaoh of Egypt - Cleopatra, the last pharaoh of Egypt, is said to have loved wine so much so that she would bathe in it!
If there are any other world leaders or people you'd like to know more about, let us know. Otherwise, why not have a look at our news section for other fun reading material!
