The royal family’s favourite drinks

Can you guess which member of the royal family has Boddingtons as their favourite drink, or who likes a cocktail called a ‘crack baby’?

The House of Windsor was founded in 1917 when King George V changed the name from the German Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.

Queen Elizabeth II was born just nine years later in 1926, ascending to the throne on 6 February 1952. The Queen recently celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, marking 60 years on the throne.

But what drinks will have been served at such regal events? You might not be surprised to learn gin and tonic is a popular choice, and it is usually served at Balmoral on Christmas Day.

But Guinness, sambuca and premium vodka are also favourite with certain royals.

Take a look and find out more…

Queen Elizabeth II

The Daily Telegraph’s Andrew Alderson was granted unprecedented access to the Queen in 2009, spending two weeks with the Monarch.

He noted that she is “ very much a creature of habit. Every day, she likes a gin and Dubonnet immediately before lunch.”

It was also reported in an ITV documentary that the Queen likes the drink to be served as one part gin, two parts Dubonnet, with two cubes of ice and a slice of lemon with the pips removed.

Dubonnet is a sweet wine-based aperitif, a blend of fortified wine, herbs and spices, including quinine and was first served in 1846. The Queen’s mother was also said to be a fan of the drink.

Prince Phillip

Some people might not expect beer to feature highly on a royal’s favourite list, but Prince Philip is reportedly a fan. Apparently the Manchester-based beer Boddingtons is the Duke of Edinburgh’s favourite tipple.

Prince Charles

The Prince of Wales is next in line to the throne and is said to enjoy 50:50 Martini, which uses equal amounts of gin and dry vermouth.

However, Scotch whisky is undoubtedly his favourite drink, with Inver House Distillers making Barrogill – a whisky specially chosen by the prince after a private tasting. Charles also likes Laphroig, with the 15-year-old apparently being a particular preference.

Duchess of Cornwall

It is said that when she met with Prince William to talk about her relationship with his father Prince Charles, Camilla emerged from the 30 minute meeting saying, “I need a gin and tonic”

From this we can only guess that a G&T is the ticket for this future Queen.

Prince William

There are several drinks which are listed as favourites of Prince William. In his younger days he was a fan of Stella Artois and sambuca shots.

When he was visiting the Mahiki nightclub he enjoyed its £135 “Treasure Chest” cocktail, which is made with brandy and peach liqueur topped with a bottle of Champagne and served in a wooden chest.

These days the Duke of Cambridge is said to favour Guinness.

Duchess of Cambridge

The Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite drink is a cocktail known as the “Crack Baby”. It’s perhaps not a name you would associate with a royal, but it is just a name!

The cocktail is made with passion fruit juice, vodka and raspberry liqueur and is then topped off with Champagne.

It was served to guests at the evening party of the Duke and Duchess’s wedding.

Prince Harry

Prince Harry has the reputation of being something of a party prince and has been photographed on several occasions having enjoyed a couple of drinks too many. To some cynical people it may be easier to list the drinks Prince Harry doesn’t like; but that’s not the case with this list.

Prince Harry’s favourite drink is the premium vodka Cîroc Ultra, which is one of the few vodkas to be made using grapes. As well as the original “Snap Frost” style, Cîroc also comes in Red Berry, Coconut and Peach flavour.

Although purists may despair as the prince enjoys the odd Red Bull with his vodka.

Prince Edward

The Earl of Wessex is the fourth and youngest child of the Queen and Prince Philip. When he was born he was third in line to the throne, he is now seventh in line.

Reportedly, the Earl’s favourite drink is gin and tonic.

Queen Victoria

The Queen may have been ahead of her time in terms of her favoured drink as she enjoyed Claret mixed with whisky, as we now see many whiskies finished in Claret casks.

Princess Diana

Diana, Princess of Wales married into the royal family in 1981 in a wedding at St Paul’s Cathedral that was watched on television by 750 million people around the world. Her wedding to Prince Charles ended in divorce in 1996 and she died in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

She was not a particularly big drinker but is said to have favoured chilled, dry white wine when she did drink.