This U.S. president drank a gallon of coffee a day: This is how his caffeine habit began at age 5

When you think of Theodore Roosevelt, images of a bull moose and reformer probably come to mind.

But there is another curious aspect of his life that has bubbled up in American folklore: his mythical consumption of coffee. Long before Monster energy drinks and caffeine pills, Roosevelt was said to have fuelled relentless pace of life with simply astonishing quantities of coffee - up to a gallon every single day.

Roosevelt’s affinity for coffee did not start in the White House but much earlier in his life. As a young boy he suffered from severe asthma. In an era when effective inhalers and treatments did not exist, one of the remedies his family turned to was coffee. This was largely due to caffeine’s mild bronchodilator effect, believed at the time to help ease respiratory symptoms.

By the time he reached the nation’s highest office, Roosevelt’s coffee routine was already legendary.

Family members and contemporaries recalled his breakfast cup being more like a small bathtub than a mug, with half coffee, half milk, and sweetened with sugar.

Some sources suggest that in extraordinary moments he might have consumed far more than a gallon in a day, although those claims are likely exaggerated with the passing of time.

Along with his personal habit, Roosevelt’s love of coffee intersected with popular culture. A well-known marketing story links him to the birth of the Maxwell House slogan “good to the last drop.” During a visit to Nashville in 1907, Roosevelt was reportedly served the hotel’s coffee and gave an enthusiastic remark about the brew’s quality. Again, take the story with a pinch of salt: time often whirls the truth.

Roosevelt’s enthusiasm for coffee also branched out to his family. His children, inspired by his taste for the drink, helped establish an early coffee-house venture in New York City in the early 20th century.

Related stories

Powerball

Check out Monday's winning Powerball numbers

Social media

How Facebook has succumbed to "enshittification"

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.