Royal lives, such as those of kings and queens, have captured our imagination for ages. We are fascinated by their extravagant lifestyles. Watching their public appearances is also interesting. Even private matters, like their choice of drinks, intrigue us.
People in the past had drinking habits that were historically misunderstood. This was especially true during the medieval period. People often thought that water was unsafe to drink back then. They believed that alcohol was the only safe option. However, historians have shown that things were more complicated. Social class greatly influenced drink choices, and cultural beliefs also played a significant role.
Let’s take a look at what royalty drank. Their preferences offer a unique perspective on history, reflecting their status and sometimes peculiar habits. Although we can’t live exactly like them, exploring their drinks brings us closer to their world. Here are some beverages that royalty enjoyed throughout history.
1. **King Louis XIV of France: Champagne**: It makes sense that this party drink topped the list. King Louis XIV of France, known for his extravagant court, loved Champagne. He ruled for a very long time.
They say his love for it was immense. Doctors even warned him against drinking it. He was known to consume vast amounts. This royal preference upset other French winemakers. They worried that the King focused only on Champagne, which made them lose sales opportunities.
2. **Peter the Great: Peppered Brandy**: The Russian Czar in the 17th century was powerful. Peter the Great enjoyed drinking heartily. He was a heavy drinker himself and also wanted others to drink a lot. He believed that drinking was socially important.
Peter even established a special group, known as the Jolly Company. Their main objective was simply to drink as much as possible. He drank wine and vodka as well. However, his favorite was Peppered Brandy, which was just brandy mixed with peppers. This was indeed a strong drink for a powerful ruler.
3. **Queen Elizabeth I: Mead**: During her reign, beer was most common. People brewed it at home for daily use. But the queen didn’t like that beer. She wasn’t fond of this popular drink.
The Queen preferred Mead instead. This drink is made by fermenting honey. She had her own private recipe for it. Her royal beekeeper supplied the honey needed. Luckily, he wrote the recipe down carefully. Because of this, we might be able to make her Mead today.
4. **Napoleon Bonaparte: Wine (Chambertin)**: This French general was very famous. Napoleon Bonaparte certainly drank wine often. He regularly enjoyed multiple glasses. He liked wine in general, but one kind stood out: Chambertin. He held a special affection for this wine, which came from France’s Burgundy region.
His liking was captured in a quote. He said that contemplating the future through Chambertin was rosy. This preference was not just a personal choice. His doctor advised him to drink it, as it had practical health benefits for him.
5. **Tutankhamun: Red Wine**: Let’s go way back in history now. Even ancient pharaohs liked certain drinks. Tutankhamun, the young king, enjoyed wine. He particularly liked red wine. Only rich people could afford wine in Egypt; it was a true status symbol.
Kings were often buried with wine jugs so that they could use them later. Many jugs in Tutankhamun’s tomb held red wine. This showed that it was his favorite drink even in death.
6. **Alexander The Great: Wine (Undiluted)**: The King of Macedonia was quite a drinker. Alexander the Great is known for conquering lands. He is also famous for drinking a lot of wine. Many historians suggest he was an alcoholic.
There’s a story that he burned Persepolis. This happened after a night of heavy drinking. Also, he went against Greek custom. Greeks usually mixed wine with water, but Alexander drank his wine undiluted. That was considered barbaric at the time.
7. **Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon: Dubonnet & Gin Cocktail**: Let’s look at recent British royalty. The Queen Mother, who was Queen Elizabeth II’s mother, had a special cocktail. She passed down this drink tradition.
The cocktail is quite simple really. It mixes Dubonnet, a sweet French wine, with gin. It usually includes a lemon slice. The Queen Mother reportedly drank heavily and preferred her version with more gin. It was made with two parts gin to one part Dubonnet. This indeed gave it a strong kick.
8. **Queen Elizabeth II: Dubonnet And Gin**: Her daughter reigned for seventy years. Queen Elizabeth II continued the cocktail tradition. Like her mother, she liked the Dubonnet and Gin. It remained popular in the royal home.
She had her own way of making it, though. She preferred a different mixture from her mother’s. The Queen made it with one part gin. Then she added two parts Dubonnet. This made it sweeter and less strong. She also liked strong, black tea. She did not like weak tea with lemon at all.
9. **Prince Philip: Boddingtons Beer**: The Duke of Edinburgh seemed down-to-earth. Prince Philip, the Queen’s husband, seemed quite relatable. This was evident in his favorite drink choice. He didn’t drink hard alcohol much, but he was definitely a beer enthusiast.
His favorite was Boddingtons Beer. This brand came from Manchester and is known for its creamy head. He also drank whisky sometimes, ensuring that Famous Grouse was available. It could be found in all palaces and on the royal train as well. He was never without his preferred drink when he needed it.
10. **Princess Margaret: The Famous Grouse Whisky**: Queen Elizabeth II had a younger sister. Princess Margaret looked glamorous in public. She loved going to social events and sometimes drank gin and tonic. Wine was also an option at parties, but her true favorite was a certain whisky.
Old letters indicate that she loved The Famous Grouse Whisky. As she got older, she became more specific. She would not drink any other brand. A former footman claimed otherwise. He said she only used Malvern Water to dilute it, although he did admit to using tap water sometimes. She reportedly never noticed this switch.
Related posts:
Royal Libations: Drinks Fit for Kings and Queens throughout History
The British Royal Family’s Favorite Drinks
Top 10 royal family drinks
