Betty White lived to be 99 years old, and she had some pretty surprising secrets about her daily routine. While most people think healthy living means green smoothies and yoga, Betty had a different approach that shocked everyone. She openly admitted to drinking vodka every single day and eating whatever she wanted, including hot dogs and chocolate cake for breakfast. Her favorite drink was a simple vodka cocktail that she enjoyed religiously, and she genuinely believed it helped her live such a long, happy life.
Betty never followed typical health advice
Most people assume that living to 99 requires strict diets and endless exercise routines. Betty White completely ignored this conventional wisdom and did exactly the opposite of what health experts recommend. She famously said she stayed away from anything green and preferred French fries and hot dogs to salads. Her approach to wellness was refreshingly honest and went against every trendy health movement of her time.
In her essay for Harper’s Bazaar, Betty explained her daily routine with remarkable candor. She wrote about coming home each day and having vodka on the rocks with her dog Pontiac before dinner. This wasn’t just an occasional treat – it was her regular habit that she maintained for decades. She genuinely believed this simple pleasure contributed to her longevity and happiness.
Her vodka recipe was surprisingly simple
Betty’s daily cocktail wasn’t some complicated mixed drink with exotic ingredients. She kept things remarkably simple with just vodka, ice, and citrus. The key was using lots of fresh lemon or grapefruit juice, which she said made all the difference. She preferred her vodka completely plain and straightforward, without any fancy mixers or elaborate garnishes that might complicate the drink.
The timing of her cocktail was just as important as the ingredients. Betty had a specific routine where she would drink vodka on ice right before dinner, never during the day or late at night. This consistency became part of her daily ritual that she looked forward to every single day. She treated it like a small celebration that marked the end of her workday and the beginning of her evening relaxation time.
She always kept her drinking moderate
Despite her love for vodka, Betty was very careful about how much she actually consumed. She told Bon Appétit that one cocktail before dinner was her standard, and she might have a second if she was out with friends. The key was that she never wanted to actually feel the effects of the alcohol – it was more about the ritual and enjoyment than getting tipsy.
This moderation might explain why some studies suggest her approach wasn’t completely crazy. Research has shown that modest drinking of no more than one drink per day can actually add a year to life expectancy. Betty’s careful approach to alcohol consumption meant she got the social and psychological benefits without the negative health consequences that come with excessive drinking.
Grey Goose was her preferred brand
While Betty never publicly announced her favorite vodka brand, she did give everyone a big hint during a memorable television appearance. When she appeared on David Letterman’s show in 2017, she did shots of Grey Goose vodka right on camera. She even joked about drinking vodka being her “hobby,” which gave fans insight into her brand preferences and her playful attitude about her drinking habit.
The choice of Grey Goose makes sense because it’s known for being smooth and relatively odorless, which fits with Betty’s preference for clean, simple drinks. She wasn’t interested in harsh or complicated spirits – she wanted something that would mix well with citrus and go down easily. This premium vodka choice also reflects her belief that if she was going to drink daily, she might as well choose something high-quality that she genuinely enjoyed.
Co-stars remember her drinking habits fondly
People who worked with Betty often mentioned her drinking habits in interviews, always with affection and admiration. Meghann Fahy, who appeared with Betty in “The Lost Valentine,” recalled watching Betty enjoy vodka on ice and eat chocolate cake for breakfast. She described Betty as living “like a real, true legend” and admired how she moved through life with such confidence and joy.
Sandra Bullock, who worked with Betty in “The Proposal,” specifically mentioned Betty’s vodka on ice when giving birthday wishes. She hoped Betty would celebrate “with humor, kindness and a vodka on ice,” showing how closely associated Betty had become with her signature drink. These stories from colleagues show that Betty’s drinking wasn’t secretive or problematic – it was just part of her charming, authentic personality.
Her positive attitude mattered more than the vodka
While Betty credited vodka as part of her longevity secret, she was equally clear that attitude played a huge role in her happiness. She constantly emphasized the importance of focusing on positive things rather than complaining about problems. Betty said she got bored with people who picked out things to complain about instead of celebrating what was great in their lives.
Her philosophy was refreshingly simple: “Enjoy life. Accentuate the positive, not the negative.” She told Parade that finding great stuff isn’t hard if people just look for it. This optimistic outlook, combined with her daily vodka ritual, created a lifestyle that prioritized joy and relaxation over stress and restriction. The drink might have been her daily treat, but her mindset was probably the real secret to her long, successful life.
She paired vodka with comfort foods
Betty’s approach to eating was just as unconventional as her drinking habits. She openly admitted to loving hot dogs and French fries, and she ranked vodka and hot dogs as her favorite things “probably in that order.” She wasn’t interested in trendy superfoods or complicated meal plans – she ate what made her happy and didn’t apologize for it.
Her typical day included very little breakfast, maybe a sandwich for lunch, and then her vodka and dinner routine in the evening. She specifically mentioned that she and her dog Pontiac would share this daily ritual together, making it a social and comforting experience rather than just drinking alone. This combination of simple pleasures – good food, a nice drink, and companionship – seemed to be her recipe for contentment.
Valerie Bertinelli created a tribute cocktail
After Betty passed away, her “Hot in Cleveland” co-star Valerie Bertinelli wanted to honor her memory in a special way. She created a cocktail called “Betty’s Lemon Vodka” that was specifically designed to capture the spirit of Betty’s favorite drink. This tribute shows how much Betty’s daily vodka habit meant to the people who knew and loved her.
The tribute cocktail focuses on the lemon element that Betty loved so much in her drinks. Valerie’s version celebrates the simplicity and joy that Betty brought to everything she did, including her approach to drinking. This cocktail has become a way for fans to remember Betty and maybe incorporate a little bit of her positive, uncomplicated approach to life into their own routines.
Her approach challenged wellness trends
Betty’s daily vodka habit flew in the face of every wellness trend that emerged during her long life. While people obsessed over juice cleanses, elimination diets, and expensive supplements, Betty stuck to her simple routine of vodka, citrus, and foods she actually enjoyed. She proved that happiness and longevity don’t always come from following the latest health fads or restricting yourself from life’s pleasures.
Her example suggests that consistency, moderation, and genuine enjoyment might be more important than perfect nutrition or complete sobriety. Betty’s long, happy life shows that there’s more than one way to age well, and sometimes the unconventional approach works better than following all the rules. Her legacy includes the idea that a little daily pleasure, enjoyed responsibly and with gratitude, can be part of a life well-lived.
Betty White’s daily vodka cocktail recipe teaches us that longevity secrets don’t always come from restrictive diets or intense exercise routines. Sometimes the key to a long, happy life is as simple as finding small daily pleasures and enjoying them with gratitude and moderation. Her approach reminds us that life should be enjoyed, not just endured, and that a positive attitude combined with simple pleasures can create a recipe for happiness that lasts nearly a century.
Betty White’s Daily Vodka Cocktail
Cuisine: American1
servings2
minutes96
kcalThe simple vodka and citrus cocktail that Betty White enjoyed every day and credited for her longevity.
Ingredients
2 oz premium vodka (Grey Goose preferred)
1 cup ice cubes
1/2 fresh lemon, juiced
1 lemon wedge for garnish
Optional: 1/4 fresh grapefruit, juiced
Directions
- Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes, filling it about 3/4 full. Use a sturdy, wide-bottomed glass that feels good in your hand, just like Betty would have preferred. The ice should be fresh and clean-tasting.
- Pour the vodka slowly over the ice, letting it settle naturally. Betty preferred premium vodka like Grey Goose because it’s smooth and clean-tasting. The vodka should be chilled if possible, but room temperature works fine too.
- Squeeze the fresh lemon juice directly into the glass, making sure to catch any seeds. Betty loved lots of citrus, so don’t be shy with the lemon juice. The fresh citrus is what made her drink special and refreshing.
- Give the drink a gentle stir with a spoon or cocktail stirrer, just enough to mix the vodka and lemon juice. Betty wasn’t into fancy mixing techniques – she kept everything simple and straightforward. The goal is just to combine the ingredients.
- Drop the lemon wedge into the glass as garnish, or run it around the rim first if you want extra lemon flavor. Betty would have appreciated this simple, no-fuss presentation. The garnish adds a nice touch without being overly complicated.
- Enjoy immediately while the ice is still fresh and the drink is properly chilled. Betty would have this right before dinner as part of her daily routine. Take your time and savor it – this was her moment of daily celebration and relaxation.
Notes
- Betty preferred Grey Goose vodka, but any premium vodka will work well for this recipe
- You can substitute grapefruit juice for lemon juice if you prefer a different citrus flavor
- This drink is best enjoyed before dinner as part of a daily routine, just like Betty did
- Keep it to one cocktail per day – Betty was very careful about moderation
- Use fresh citrus juice only – bottled juice won’t give you the same clean, bright flavor
Frequently asked questions
Q: What brand of vodka did Betty White actually drink?
A: While Betty never officially announced her favorite brand, she did Grey Goose shots on David Letterman’s show in 2017 and called drinking vodka her “hobby.” She preferred premium, smooth vodkas that mixed well with citrus and didn’t have harsh flavors.
Q: How often did Betty White drink her vodka cocktail?
A: Betty had one vodka cocktail every single day before dinner as part of her regular routine. She might have a second drink if she was out with friends, but she was very careful about moderation and never wanted to actually feel the effects of the alcohol.
Q: Can I use bottled lemon juice instead of fresh lemons?
A: Betty preferred lots of fresh citrus in her drinks, so fresh lemon or grapefruit juice is really important for getting the right flavor. Bottled juice won’t give you the same clean, bright taste that made her cocktail special and refreshing.
Q: Did Betty White really think vodka helped her live longer?
A: Yes, Betty genuinely credited her daily vodka habit as part of her longevity secret, along with her positive attitude and enjoying simple pleasures. She believed that her daily cocktail ritual, combined with eating what she wanted and staying optimistic, contributed to her long, happy life.
