Historic Happy Hour: Lyndon B. Johnson
While we may view the American Presidents as almost divine like figures, they were just as human as the rest of us. As is such, Presidents indulged in the frivolities and vices that make us all human. For example, President Grant was a heavy smoker and drinker, and President Warren Harding was a frequent gambler. Taking our Presidents off the pedestal, it is easy to recognize that they too had their idiosyncrasies and their favorite mode of escape. While each President relaxed in their own way, most Presidents enjoyed the occasional drink.
In this Historic Happy Hour, we explore the favorite cocktail of President Lyndon B. Johnson: The Scotch and Soda. A simple drink (the name is also the drink’s recipe), the Scotch and Soda was usually taken by Johnson with Cutty Sark Scotch and fresh seltzer. Though Johnson was forced to slow down his drinking, at the behest of Lady Bird, the Scotch and Soda remained a favorite of Johnson’s. On a normal day in the White House, Johnson utilized the Fresca button to enjoy the fizzy drink, often alongside his favorite chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes.
On the famous LBJ Ranch, the rules were a lot less strict and the Scotch and Soda fueled Johnson escapades on the ranch. Johnson’s Special Assistant, Joseph A. Califano, Jr recalled an afternoon with Johnson on the ranch. The President took him out in his signature convertible Lincoln Continental, top down, for a drive around the ranch. Califano and Johnson drove around the ranch, dust kicking up around them, making it hard to breath. As he drove, Johnson sipped on his Scotch and Soda from a white foam cup. Behind Johnson, followed Secret Service agents in a station wagon. Occasionally, Johnson would slow the car and hold his left arm outside the door, shaking the cup and ice. A Secret Service agent would grab the cup and go back to the station wagon. There another agent would refill the foam cup with ice, scotch, and soda. Then the first agent would run the refilled cup up to LBJ’s outstretched and waiting hand, as the President’s car moved slowly along.
Just as Lyndon Johnson would, we encourage you to Drink Responsibly