The White House's most popular pick-me-ups

WASHINGTON, January 16, 2013 — Every so often  a president might need a stiff drink or two. And some presidents have been known to imbibe one too many.
Others have refused to let liquor cross their lips, much less the threshold of the White House. An expert on presidential drinking, amateur historian and mixologist Jim Hewes, the barman at the Willard Hotel’s Round Robin bar, knows the drinking secrets of our former presidents and loves to share the lore with his patrons.

This year for the Second Inaugural of President Obama, Hewes has concocted the Blue Hawaiian, poured over crushed ice. Made from aged tequila, said to be a favorite of the current President, combined with Blue Curacao, lime juice, and topped off with a slice of lime and pineapple, the drink conjures the azure waters of Hawaii, Obama’s birthplace. So far, Obama has not dropped in for a taste, but then sitting presidents are not in the habit of wandering around DC, even if it’s only a hop, skip and a jump to the bar where Hewes presides.

Hewes has also created three other mixed drinks in honor of the 2013 Inaugural festivities, just as does for each Inauguration.

This year he has come up with the Presidential Mojito made with dark rum, raspberry, fresh fruit, and lime; the Electoral College made with Kahula, Bailey Whiskey, and Grand Marnier; Lincoln’s Hot Spiced Cider made with Red Stag Bourbon, Cointreau and spiced cider; and The Camelot Daiquiri made with dark rum, Triple Sec, and fresh lime. Thirsty yet?

As you sip one of the celebratory drinks at the Round Robin, the oldest continuous bar in Washington, be sure to ask Hewes as he shakes, blends and stirs his latest opus to give you a little presidential history from the perspective of bourbon, gin and corn whiskey.

Who says likker didn’t shape this country? Remember the Whiskey Rebellion? George Washington did and he put it down fast.

Hewes may start his history with the teetotaler in the White House who forbade any alcohol being served there, Jimmy Carter. Not even white wine at State Dinners, horrifying the French. Then there were Presidents George W. Bush, Teddy Roosevelt and Calvin Coolidge who eschewed all alcoholic libations themselves but never failed to serve liquor to their guests. Hewes even has their favorite soft drinks on his menu: Bush 43, a crisp diet cola with a slice of lemon and Coolidge, a bracing tonic of cranberry juice and soda. Teddy the Teetotaler was partial to non-alcoholic wines. Yes, there is such a thing and it is very different from grape juice.

But it is the wine descended from the vineyards of Thomas Jefferson that sits on the bar today. Dolley and James Madison liked wine too, particularly French champagne. And there’s a story that an extremely cold winter froze a Roman Punch, made from champagne and fruit, served by Ulysses S. Grant. Maybe he tried to serve it on the White House lawn.