1

Ward 8

Image: Alex Kubsch

The Ward 8 is a cocktail with a bit of political history . Created in 1898, it is believed to have been made in Boston to celebrate a victory: Martin M. Lomasney’s seat at the state’s legislature. This mix of rye whiskey, lemon juice, orange juice, and grenadine offers a sweet and slightly tart taste that was a hit in the speakeasies.

The drink’s vibrant color and balanced flavor made it a favorite during Prohibition. It’s a bit more complex than some of the other cocktails of the time, but it’s worth every sip. Shake with ice, strain, and serve in a chilled glass for a sip of political history. Or to celebrate a victory of your own!

2

The South Side

Image: Bri Tucker

This refreshing drink's origin is a matter of speculation. The main theories suggest that it was either created after the South Side district of Chicago , Illinois, or the Southside Sportsmen’s Club on Long Island. Whichever the origin, the popularity of the drink is connected to Al Capone’s preference for it.

It’s a blend of gin, fresh mint, lime juice, and simple syrup, making it crisp and revitalizing. The mint and lime give it a fresh, lively flavor that’s perfect for any occasion. Shake with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and garnish with a mint sprig for a touch of elegance.

3

Sidecar

Image: Jia Jia Shum

The drinks were quite inventive, but the names? We’ll have to see about that. The Sidecar cocktail is believed to have been named after the motorcycle attachment in London or Paris around the 1920s. Nevertheless, the drink found it’s way across the Atlantic and into every bartender’s guide during the Prohibition.

Made with cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice, it’s a smooth, tangy cocktail that packs a punch. Its balanced flavor profile made it a favorite among those who sought both style and substance in their drinks. Shake it with ice, strain it into a sugar-rimmed glass, and you’ve got yourself a ride worth taking.

4

Highball

Image: Timothé Durand

If a cocktail’s name comes from a phrase that means "you’re good to go," you simply have to drink it, don’t you think? Well, that’s the case with the Highball cocktail. This drink’s name may come from railroad signs, where a raised globe meant that the track ahead was clear.

Now, as for the ingredients, the drink has several variations, but the classic ones are scotch and soda. The Highball is a simple yet elegant cocktail that has stood the test of time. It’s made by mixing whiskey (or gin) with a generous amount of ginger ale or soda water, served over ice in a tall glass. Garnish a Collin-type glass with a lemon or lime wedge, and you’ve got a drink that’s both easygoing and refreshing.

5

Old Fashioned

Image: Johann Trasch

If we’re discussing the classics, we can’t ignore the Old Fashioned, the number one drink of all time . Do you need any proof? Ask as many bartenders as you like, and they’ll each give you a different recipe. That’s because, as old as the drink is, it is also highly popular and has been the subject of countless versions ever since it was created.

The Old Fashioned dates back to the early 19th century, but it truly came into its own during Prohibition. This classic drink combines whiskey, a sugar cube, bitters, and a twist of citrus. The simplicity of the recipe made it a reliable choice when quality ingredients were hard to come by.

6

Corpse Reviver

Image: Timothé Durand

Mornings after can be quite tough, and these names aren’t making them any easier! The Corpse Reviver was so named because it was intended as a "hair of the dog" remedy to revive the drinker from a hangover . This cocktail is a complex mix of gin, lemon juice, Cointreau, Lillet Blanc, and a dash of absinthe. It’s a drink that packs a punch but is also surprisingly smooth and balanced.

The Corpse Reviver No. 2, in particular, became popular during the Prohibition era for its bold flavor and reputed restorative properties. Have you ever tried this one?

7

Mary Pickford

Image: Kurt Liebhaeuser

Named after the silent film star Mary Pickford, this cocktail is as glamorous as its namesake . It’s a fruity blend of white rum, pineapple juice, grenadine, and maraschino liqueur. The drink is sweet and vibrant, with a striking pink color that was as eye-catching in the 1920s as it is today.

Created in Havana, Cuba, it quickly became popular among Hollywood’s elite during the Prohibition era. Shake all the ingredients with ice, strain into a chilled glass, and then garnish with a cherry for a touch of old Hollywood glamour.

8

Gin Rickey

Image: Rajasekhar R

The Gin Rickey was a Prohibition favorite for its simple ingredients and refreshing taste. Made with gin, fresh lime juice, and soda water, it’s light, crisp, and perfect for warm summer nights. This drink was named after Colonel Joe Rickey, a lobbyist known for his love of mixing bourbon with sparkling water.

During Prohibition, gin replaced bourbon as the spirit of choice due to its easy availability. It’s a low-calorie, no-sugar-added option that was as much a hit then as it is now. Simply pour over ice and garnish with a lime wedge for a zesty kick.

9

Bee’s Knees

Image: Ash Edmonds

The Bee’s Knees is a classic example of how Prohibition-era bartenders used sweeteners to mask the harsh taste of homemade gin. You may think using honey for a cocktail is quite ordinary, but back in the day, this was quite an innovation. This delightful cocktail mixes gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey for a sweet and tangy flavor.

The name itself is a slang term from the 1920s, meaning "the best," and this drink certainly lives up to it. It’s refreshing and light, perfect for sipping on a sunny afternoon. Shake with ice and serve in a chilled glass for a taste of history’s sweeter side.

10

French 75

Image: Stephen Harlan

The French 75 is as powerful as the artillery piece it’s named after. This cocktail combines gin, lemon juice, sugar, and a bubbly splash of champagne, making it both elegant and dangerously easy to drink.

Legend has it that the drink was invented in Paris and quickly became popular in American speakeasies. The effervescence of champagne made it a celebratory favorite, while the gin added just the right amount of kick. Serve it in a champagne flute with a lemon twist, and you’ll feel like you’re celebrating in style.

1

George Washington

Image: Alonzo Chappel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Founding Father and first president of the United States, George Washington, enjoyed many recreational activities during his free time. He was a true outdoorsman—he loved hunting and fishing and was a devoted gardener and farmer .

It’s common knowledge that after deciding not to run for a third term, he retired to his Virginia farm and dedicated the rest of his life to farming. But one fact you may not know is that, in his youth, Washington was a frequent dancer —and rumor has it, he was even extremely good at it! He considered dancing an important social interaction, describing it as "so agreeable and innocent an amusement."

2

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Image: National Archives and Records Administration, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the only president to be elected to four consecutive terms, led the country through the critical years of the Great Depression and World War II. To maintain a clear mind while navigating such tumultuous times, Roosevelt embraced a number of pastimes. He collected books , stamps , and ship models , for example.

In addition, he was an avid swimmer . After losing the ability to walk due to polio, Roosevelt began swimming three times a week to strengthen his muscles. Following his election, the New York Daily News donated a swimming pool to the White House so he could continue his practice.

3

James A. Garfield

Image: Unknown; part of Brady-Handy Photograph Collection., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Before becoming the 20th president, James A. Garfield enjoyed fishing , hunting , and playing billiards . But he was also exceptionally intelligent and studious.

Though many people may know Garfield for serving just four months in office, he was also the first ambidextrous president of the United States . Not only could he write with both hands, but when asked a question, he could simultaneously write the answer in ancient Greek with one hand and Latin with the other. Pretty impressive, don’t you think?

4

Calvin Coolidge

Image: National Photo Company Collection, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The 30th president of the United States liked riding horses so much that he had an electronic horse installed in the White House. The device had two speeds—trot and canter—and he rode it every day.

That said, Calvin Coolidge was a taciturn man of few words, who enjoyed taking afternoon naps, earning him the nickname "Silent Cal." He also had a very particular sense of humor . He reportedly enjoyed pressing the alarm buttons in the Oval Office or hiding in the garden shrubbery to startle his Secret Service agents.

5

Jimmy Carter

Image: Tuntematon, Valkoisen talon valokuvaajat (01/20/1977 - 01/20/1981), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Throughout his life, Jimmy Carter was a curious man who never stopped doing things. He studied nuclear physics in college, could read two thousand words a minute, wrote numerous books, and even won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.

But what did this brilliant man like to do in his spare time? Carter had a variety of hobbies, including painting , poetry , tennis , cycling , fly fishing , and skiing . However, the one activity in which he perhaps excelled most was woodworking . After retiring, the 39th president of the United States set up a garage workshop on his Georgia ranch, where he built furniture that was later auctioned to benefit the Carter Center.

6

John Quincy Adams

Image: Pieter Van Huffel, 1769 - 1844, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

John Quincy Adams was notoriously meticulous and kept a diary detailing his daily routine. Thanks to this, we now know that the sixth president of the United States liked to relieve the stress of the presidency with an early morning swim .

After waking up around 4 or 5 a.m., Adams would walk two miles to the Potomac River and leave his clothes on the shore before taking a swim. According to lore, one morning, a reporter named Anne Royall snatched his clothes and demanded that the president give her an interview. Adams had no choice but to answer her questions while standing deep in the river, completely naked.

7

Harry S. Truman

Image: Abbie Rowe, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Harry S. Truman governed the United States from 1945 to 1953, right after World War II—a difficult and stressful time, to be sure. To blow off some steam, the 33rd president liked to immerse himself in one of his two long-time passions: reading and music .

Truman had eye problems, which prevented him from participating in sports. As a result, he became an avid reader from an early age—in fact, he once boasted of having read every book in the library by the age of 14. He was also a very skilled piano player , having started lessons at the age of seven.

8

Lyndon B. Johnson

Image: Yoichi Okamoto, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Living up to the legacy of one of the most popular presidents in American history can't be easy. But it appears that the 36th president of the United States knew just how to maintain a good balance between responsibility and leisure. During his five-year administration, Lyndon B. Johnson spent 490 days —about a quarter of his presidency— at the LBJ Ranch in Stonewall , Texas, combining work and vacation so seamlessly that the place became known as "The Texas White House."

At this ranch, Johnson had an extensive collection of vehicles . Among them was the Amphicar, an amphibious passenger car built in the 1960s, which he used to play pranks on his visitors.

9

Richard Nixon

Image: White House Photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Not many people know this, but Richard Nixon was an artistic man. He enjoyed theater—he even met his future wife during a community theater audition—and he could play five musical instruments : piano, saxophone, violin, clarinet, and accordion.

But he was also into sports. In addition to being a huge football fan, he and First Lady Pat Nixon enjoyed bowling . In fact, the Nixons were responsible for moving the White House bowling alley back to the Executive Mansion after it had been relocated to a nearby building years earlier.

10

George W. Bush

Image: Series: Photographs Related to the George W. Bush Administration, 1/20/2001 - 1/20/2009Collection: Records of the White House Photo Office (George W. Bush Administration), 1/20/2001 - 1/20/2009, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

During his free time, George W. Bush enjoyed golfing, biking, attending baseball games, and reading American history. He was also a very competitive runner .

However, when the 43rd president of the United States left office, he was only 62 years old—plenty of time to acquire a new pastime. In the years following his time in the White House, Bush surprised many by turning to painting . "I’m a painter," he told Jay Leno on The Tonight Show .

11

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Image: ddd

To relieve the stress of leadership, Dwight D. Eisenhower maintained a number of hobbies that he cultivated throughout his life. One of his main passions was golf , which he played during and after his presidency. He even kept a small putting green in the White House garden and had a four-hole practice course installed at Camp David.

But that’s not all. Ike enjoyed fishing, hunting, shooting, watching Western movies, and playing bridge. He was also an avid painter who often captured natural landscapes and gave them as gifts to friends. After leaving the White House, Ike settled on a farm near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he raised Black Angus show cows that won blue ribbons at state and county fairs.

12

John F. Kennedy

Image: Robert LeRoy Knudsen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

John F. Kennedy was an exercise enthusiast and something of a jock. He played many sports : golf, tennis, swimming, baseball, and football. Despite being an athletic man, he enjoyed smoking between four and five cigars a day—his favorite brands were Upmanns and Monticellos!

But perhaps the hobby that most helped him relax from the tensions of the presidency was boating. Like many members of his family, John F. Kennedy loved to sail and was often photographed at sea with his wife and young children.

1

Sloth

Two-toed sloths are the species most commonly allowed as pets in the U.S. However, they require special care, a suitable environment, and—since they can live up to 30 years—a committed owner. Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, and Texas allow ownership of two-toed sloths without a permit. Other states may require a license.

2

Caiman

One would think that Caiman Central (commonly known as Florida) might allow its residents to own caimans as pets, but it’s actually the contrary: they are considered invasive and dangerous, so depending on the species, they are either illegal to own or require a permit. However, the state of Tennessee allows ownership of dwarf caimans without a permit.

3

Elk

The United States has a large elk population across many states, both wild and domesticated, and many states will allow you to own them as livestock with a proper license. If you’ve always dreamed of having a pet elk, there’s good news: in Alaska, you can legally own a domesticated elk, as long as it was not captured from the wild.

4

Bison

Bison can be found across all 50 states, either in the wild or raised as livestock on ranches. However, not all states permit private ownership of them. In most states, some sort of permit is required to raise bison as cattle, with varying degrees of difficulty. Once again, Alaska offers a solution for bison enthusiasts: like elk, bison can be kept as pets, provided they are domesticated and not captured from the wild.

5

Sugar Glider

These small possums make good pets because they are social, playful, cuddly, and form strong bonds with their owners. However, they are exotic pets and require specialized care, a specific diet, and proper maintenance. Most states allow sugar gliders to be owned without a permit, but Georgia, New Mexico, and parts of New York require a license. In Hawaii, California, and Alaska, owning a sugar glider is illegal.

6

Kangaroo

Surprisingly, many states allow kangaroos and wallabies as pets. Some states may require a license, but Arizona, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Oregon classify them as "uncontrolled" exotics, so no permit is needed. Kangaroos and wallabies are completely banned as pets in Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, and New Hampshire.

7

Fennec Fox

Native to North African deserts, fennec foxes are the smallest fox species, characterized by their large ears. You can legally own them without a permit in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and New York (though not in New York City). The rest of the states either require a permit or deem it illegal.

8

Kinkajou

These adorable mammals, also known as honey bears, are related to raccoons and coatis. There are no federal laws restricting kinkajou ownership, but several states either prohibit them or require a permit. States that allow ownership without a permit include Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Texas, and Virginia.

9

Python

When it comes to permits, not all snakes are treated the same. Regulations depend on how dangerous a species might be and the potential impact on local ecosystems if released. Following this logic, not all pythons are equally restricted: species such as the Burmese or Indian python are illegal in many states, while others, like the Ball python, are legal without a permit in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Massachusetts, Montana, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

10

Tarantula

Tarantulas are not banned in any state, but some species might be restricted and require a special permit, in particular those considered an endangered species or potentially invasive. So, if you dream of having a pet spider, check your state laws first to ensure your desired species will not cause you legal problems in the future.