The Boozy Beverage Inside George Washington's Canteen

When we think of the American "Founding Fathers," images of libraries, powdered wigs, and diplomacy come to mind. But as any visitor to Mount Vernon, Monticello, or Colonial Williamsburg can tell you, it took a lot of effort to maintain the households running the ship of state. A large portion of that effort was devoted to feeding everyone, especially at a time when people were responsible for producing a significant portion of their own food themselves (via Mount Vernon).

Drink was an important part of early colonists' diets. Much of the water (and, often, milk, per National Museum of American History) was contaminated or considered unsafe for consumption. Alcoholic beverages were thus the safer alternative. As JSTOR Daily notes, your average American then drank about twice as much as we do today. Cider, beer, and other low-proof options were very common, per Varsity Tutors, but the cultured and cultivated also partook of a bevy of boozy beverages. 

What about Washington? While George Washington was not considered a heavy drinker, he heartily enjoyed his wine and once famously remarked "My manner of living is plain and I do not mean to be put out of it. A glass of wine and a bit of mutton are always ready" (via App). That glass probably contained a fortified wine called Madeira, which Forbes says seems to have been a special favorite of Washington's. 

Documents reveal that George Washington purchased massive quantities of the fortified wine Madeira in the lead-up to the Revolutionary War, amounting to almost 2,000 bottles, per Atlas Obscura. Many other types of wine would not make it through the long voyage and variations in temperature that a trip from Europe to the Americas entailed, so Madeira, Port, and other fortified wines were the drinks of choice (per Wine Folly). Additionally, Madeira-makers' response to consumer demand and preferences seems to have further established their wine's position as an American favorite.

Madeira was an everyday drink for Washington and his peers. However, there was another homemade concoction that had a special place in our first president's heart. And while the History Channel tells us that the famous story of Washington chopping down the cherry tree isn't actually true, there is a historical basis for Washington's connection for cherries: Washington had a great love for a liqueur called "Cherry Bounce" made with tart cherries, spices, and brandy. "We know that George Washington especially liked Cherry Bounce and even packed it in his canteens when he was on trips out to the frontier," Mount Vernon Historian Mary Thompson explained to PBS. "Mount Vernon has made it a number of times — it is really good." Sounds like our founding father's favorite is ready for a revival.