A Toast to Heroes: Famous Military Men and Their Favorite Drinks
Memorial Day, a time to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service of our country. In addition to their bravery on the battlefield, some of our most famous military men also had a favorite drink or an interesting story around their favorite cocktails.
As we head out to our own Memorial Day celebrations, we thought it appropriate to share some of the cocktails our famous fighting men called their own.
George S. Patton, the legendary U.S. Army general, was said to have poured a cocktail of his own creation proudly dubbed, “Armored Diesel.†These days, the recipe is generally agreed to contain Bourbon, shaved ice, sugar, and lemon juice, but contemporaries of his time report that he was just as likely to use whiskey, Scotch, or even wine in his creation – whatever happened to be on hand at the time.
Douglas MacArthur, another famous U.S. Army general, was said to be a fan of sipping Scotch whiskey, but in the first few months after Pearl Harbor, MacArthur’s leadership and heroism brought such an outpouring of support and adoration that the Pierre Hotel in New York named a drink after him. First mentioned by famous newspaperman Walter Winchell, The MacArthur cocktail, created by legendary barman Oscar Haimo, contained white rum, a little dark rum, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and a bit of egg white to “give it a silky texture.â€
Other famous military men with a favorite drink include John F. Kennedy, who enjoyed Daiquiris and martinis, and Dwight D. Eisenhower, who liked a good Scotch and soda. While not technically a military man himself, Ernest Hemingway, who famously covered conflicts in World War II and the Spanish Civil War as a journalist, enjoyed Mojitos and Daiquiris while living in Cuba.
These military men and their favorite drinks remind us that even in the midst of war and conflict, there is still room for enjoyment and celebration. As we pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice, we raise a glass to their memory and honor their legacy this Memorial Day.
Events
E.H. Taylor Bourbon Experience
Experience the craftsmanship and legacy of E.H. Taylor through an exclusive guided tasting featuring five of the distillery's most sought-after expressions. Guests will enjoy pours of E.H. Taylor line showcasing the remarkable range and innovation of the Taylor portfolio. Through each pour and discussion, discover how Taylor's relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the bourbon industry and created innovations whose influence can still be found in distilleries around the world
Smugglers and Spirits
This program explores the people who operated along the edges of the law in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, including pirates, privateers, smugglers, river bandits, bootleggers, and other notorious figures. Through historical storytelling and beverage interpretation, guests learn how Louisiana's waterways, ports, and frontier conditions created opportunities for both commerce and crime. Cocktail pours are incorporated throughout the program to connect the stories to the spirits that shaped the region's culture and economy.
Science of Spirits
Shake up your cocktail knowledge with a guided tasting featuring premium spirits and handcrafted cocktails, including Sazerac Rye, Jung & Wulff Guyana Rum, a Clarified Whiskey Sour, a Coconut Oil-Washed Rum Old Fashioned, and a Buffalo Trace Paper Plane.
House of Cocktails Class
Discover how a well-chosen liqueur can transform a simple drink into a show-stopping cocktail. Guests will explore the history of classic cocktails while unlocking endless possibilities with the Sazerac House of Cocktail line of liqueurs. Learn simple techniques, flavor-building tips, and creative applications that will transform the way you mix. Sip. Experiment and leave inspired to elevate every cocktail you make.
Behind The Bar
Go beyond following recipes and learn how to build a cocktail that's truly your own. Behind the Bar is an interactive old fashioned cocktail class where you'll explore how small ingredient choices create dramatically different flavor profiles. Rather than making the same drink as everyone else, you'll customize your cocktail by selecting from a curated range of premium spirits, sweeteners, bitters, and garnishes. Your experience begins with a welcome cocktail crafted by the instructor before you step “behind the bar” to experiment with your own creation
Meet the Distiller: Small Group Tour & Tasting
Step behind the scenes with the artisans who bring Sazerac’s legendary spirits to life. “Meet the Distiller” is an exclusive, hour-long experience that begins with a private VIP tour through the Sazerac House distillery and historic Apothecary. Guests will enjoy insider access, behind-the-barrel stories, and a rare glimpse into the craft and science of our production process. Following the tour, you’ll join our distiller in their private tasting room for a curated guided tasting of four Sazerac expressions — hand-selected and presented by the distiller. This intimate setting allows guests to explore the flavors, techniques, and traditions that define our spirits.
