When you think about what famous people order at restaurants or bars, you might picture fancy cocktails with exotic ingredients or expensive wines with names you can’t pronounce. But Michelle Obama’s favorite drink is actually one that you’ve probably seen in countless movies and TV shows. The former first lady recently shared that her go-to order is a classic vodka martini, and there’s a sweet story behind how she discovered it. Even more surprising is what she thinks about her daughters’ attempts to make the same drink.
Barack Obama introduced her to martinis on their first dates
Michelle Obama didn’t grow up drinking cocktails. In fact, she admitted that she didn’t really drink alcoholic beverages at all until she started dating Barack Obama. On one of their early dates, he ordered a martini, and she was immediately impressed by how sophisticated and mature it seemed. She thought to herself that he was “a man about town” with refined taste. That single moment shaped her drinking preferences for the rest of her life.
Now, when she orders a drink, she asks for a vodka martini that’s dry, straight up, and served at a very cold temperature. She likes it with barely any vermouth and prefers olives as the garnish. She even joked that the olives “aren’t bad if you’re hungry,” treating them almost like a little snack while she sips her drink. It’s a simple order, but one that she’s stuck with for decades since that memorable first date.
Her daughters failed the martini-making test spectacularly
Michelle Obama appeared on Jimmy Fallon’s show and shared a hilarious story about her daughters Malia and Sasha trying to make martinis for her. As any parent knows, there comes a time when your kids want to show off their newfound skills, and for the Obama daughters, that meant attempting to recreate their mom’s favorite cocktail. Unfortunately for them, their bartending skills didn’t quite measure up to professional standards, and Michelle wasn’t shy about letting them know.
During the interview, she explained that she was not impressed with their efforts at all. The drinks apparently weren’t made correctly, and she gave them honest feedback about their subpar bartending abilities. She also mentioned something about cheese on a charcuterie board, commenting with her signature humor that “all charcuterie boards come with a side of pretension and complaint.” The whole exchange showed her down-to-earth personality and willingness to keep her daughters humble, even as they’ve grown into adults.
She doesn’t drink coffee or need caffeine to function
Most people can’t imagine starting their day without a cup of coffee, but Michelle Obama isn’t one of them. Despite having an incredibly busy schedule with speaking engagements, business ventures, and public appearances, she doesn’t rely on caffeine to get through the day. She says she doesn’t “need caffeine” and doesn’t find that she drags in the morning like so many other people do. It’s a surprising admission from someone who maintains such an active lifestyle.
When she does need a little pick-me-up before a big event or speaking engagement, she’ll take a few sips of diet soda rather than reaching for coffee or an energy drink. She can’t even finish a whole can of soda, preferring just a small amount for a quick burst of energy. Sometimes she’ll have a cup of tea with honey, but that’s about as adventurous as her morning beverages get. This habit puts her in the same category as her husband Barack, who also reportedly avoids caffeine and junk food whenever possible, often choosing water over coffee or soda.
The vodka martini is simpler than most people think
A lot of people get intimidated by ordering martinis because they seem complicated with all the different options and terminology. But Michelle Obama’s preferred version is actually pretty straightforward. A dry martini just means it has very little vermouth, which is the fortified wine that’s mixed with the vodka or gin. “Straight up” means it’s served in a martini glass without ice, though it’s shaken or stirred with ice first to get it cold. The “very cold” temperature she requests just emphasizes that she wants it properly chilled.
The olive garnish is classic and traditional for this type of drink. Some people prefer a lemon twist instead, but Michelle sticks with olives every time. The beauty of a vodka martini is that it’s clean and simple, with no sugary mixers or fruit juices to mask the taste of the alcohol. It’s a grown-up drink that hasn’t changed much in style over the decades. When you order one at most bars, the bartender will know exactly what you mean without needing much explanation beyond your preference for vodka or gin and how dry you want it.
She launched a low-sugar drink company with Steph Curry
While Michelle Obama enjoys an occasional martini, she’s also been working on creating healthier beverage options for kids and active adults. She teamed up with basketball star Stephen Curry to launch Plezi Hydration, which is marketed as a better alternative to traditional sports drinks. The product contains no caffeine and has less sugar than most competitors like Gatorade or Powerade. It’s designed to keep people hydrated during physical activity without loading them up with unnecessary sweeteners.
The drink was developed with input from registered dietitians and focuses on having more potassium, less sugar, and lower sodium than other sports drinks on the market. Michelle emphasized that they wanted to create something that tastes good while still being a responsible choice for parents buying drinks for their kids. The company represents her ongoing interest in promoting better eating and drinking habits, though she’s clearly not giving up her evening martinis anytime soon. It’s an interesting balance between her public health advocacy and her personal enjoyment of a stiff cocktail at the end of the day.
Martinis have been making a comeback in recent years
For a while, martinis seemed like an old-fashioned drink that your grandparents might order. They were overshadowed by trendy cocktails with creative names and Instagram-worthy presentations. But lately, classic cocktails have been coming back into style, and the martini is leading that charge. Younger people are discovering what older generations already knew—that a well-made martini is hard to beat. Bars are reporting increased orders for traditional drinks instead of overly sweet or complicated concoctions.
The appeal of a martini is partly in its simplicity and partly in its association with sophistication and elegance. When you order one, you’re signaling that you appreciate quality over flashiness. Michelle Obama choosing this as her go-to drink fits perfectly with her polished, no-nonsense public image. She’s not trying to keep up with the latest beverage trends or order something unusual just to stand out. She knows what she likes and sticks with it, which is something a lot of people can relate to once they find their preferred drink.
The Obama family keeps their preferences surprisingly normal
One thing that comes through in Michelle Obama’s interviews is how surprisingly normal her tastes are despite having been First Lady for eight years. She doesn’t drink expensive wines that cost hundreds of dollars per bottle or order complicated craft cocktails with rare ingredients. She likes a straightforward vodka martini that you can get at pretty much any bar in America. This down-to-earth quality has always been part of her appeal and helps people feel connected to her even though she’s lived a very different life than most Americans.
Barack Obama is apparently the same way, avoiding junk food and soda when he can and choosing water as his primary beverage. The New York Times reported during his presidency that he stayed away from caffeine as much as possible. Their daughters grew up in the White House but still tried to make drinks for their mom at home, even if they didn’t do a great job at it. These little details paint a picture of a family that tried to maintain normal routines and relationships despite living in extremely unusual circumstances for nearly a decade.
Drinking habits reveal more than you might expect
The beverages people choose say something about their personality and values. Someone who drinks beer at social gatherings might be more focused on relaxing and connecting with others, while someone who prefers bottled water might be more health-conscious and individualistic. Michelle Obama’s choice of a classic martini suggests she values tradition, simplicity, and quality over trendiness. She’s not someone who changes her preferences based on what’s popular at the moment.
Her decision to avoid caffeine and sugar in her daily routine while still enjoying an alcoholic drink shows a balanced approach to life. She’s not trying to be perfect or follow every health trend, but she’s also not indulging in things her body doesn’t need. The fact that she’ll have a sip of diet soda before a big event shows she’s practical about using whatever tools work for her in the moment. This balanced, thoughtful approach to food and drink reflects the same sensibility she brought to her public health initiatives when she was First Lady.
She’s not afraid to be honest about what she likes
One of the most refreshing things about Michelle Obama is her willingness to be straightforward about her preferences, even when they might surprise people. She could easily dodge questions about alcohol or give vague answers to avoid any potential criticism. Instead, she openly shares that she enjoys a strong cocktail and even explains exactly how she likes it prepared. She’s also honest about criticizing her daughters’ bartending skills rather than just politely accepting whatever they made for her.
This authenticity is part of what makes her so relatable and popular with the public. People appreciate that she doesn’t put on an act or pretend to be someone she’s not. She worked hard to promote healthier eating and drinking habits for kids through her Let’s Move campaign and other initiatives, but she never claimed to be perfect herself. She recognizes that adults can make their own choices about what they eat and drink, and she’s comfortable sharing her own choices without apologizing for them or trying to justify them with health claims.
Michelle Obama’s drink preferences might seem surprising at first, but they actually fit perfectly with who she is. From that first date when Barack ordered a martini and impressed her with his sophistication, to now when she orders the same drink with specific instructions, she’s remained consistent in her tastes. Whether she’s sipping a vodka martini with olives or taking a small sip of diet soda before a speech, she knows what works for her and isn’t afraid to stick with it. That’s something everyone can appreciate, no matter what their own favorite drink happens to be.
