Key Takeaways
- • Bill Ackman told the Equity Mates Investing podcast that Warren Buffett said he has not drunk plain water in 48 years, a claim reported by Dimsum Daily on October 31, 2026.
- • Ackman recounted hosting Buffett, then 96, for dinner at his residence several years ago, where Buffett declined still or sparkling water in favour of Cherry Coke.
- • The anecdote is consistent with Buffett's well-documented diet of Coca-Cola, which he has said supplies about 25 per cent of his daily calories.
- • Berkshire Hathaway's Coca-Cola stake, bought for roughly US$1.3 billion in the mid-1990s, was valued at around US$28 billion at the end of December, a 21-fold return.
Summary
Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has shared an anecdote about Warren Buffett's beverage habits, according to Dimsum Daily. Speaking on an episode of the Equity Mates Investing podcast, the Pershing Square founder and chief executive recounted hosting the 96-year-old Berkshire Hathaway figure for dinner at his home several years ago. Ackman stocked the house with Cherry Coke, Buffett's preferred drink, but still offered him a choice between still and sparkling water at the table. Buffett declined the water and kept to his usual soft drink. When Ackman asked whether he ever drank plain water, Buffett reportedly replied that he had not touched water in 48 years. Ackman did not provide further comment on the matter.
The account fits closely with Buffett's long-documented dietary habits. The article notes he stepped down as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway in December after sixty years at the helm, before retiring as chairman in September. He is widely reported to drink five cans of Coca-Cola daily, and in 2015 joked that he was one-quarter Coca-Cola because the drink supplied 25 per cent of his daily calories. At Berkshire's 1986 annual meeting he announced he was ending 48 years of loyalty to Pepsi in favour of Cherry Coke.
That preference also carried financial significance. Berkshire Hathaway acquired a stake of roughly 9 per cent in the drinks company in the mid-1990s for approximately US$1.3 billion. According to the article, the holding was valued at around US$28 billion at the end of December, representing a 21-fold return.
The article also describes Buffett's preference for fast food and confectionery, including breakfast from McDonald's on his morning commute and snacks such as hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream. This is reflected in Berkshire's holdings, which include wholly owned Dairy Queen and See's Candies and a major equity stake in Kraft Heinz. His limited taste for unfamiliar food has also caused difficulties abroad, including an uncomfortable sushi dinner in Tokyo. During a 17-day tour of China in 1995 with Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, the group arranged for hotel kitchen staff to be trained to cook hamburgers and chips, and had Cherry Coke waiting for Buffett at the top of the Great Wall.
The account fits closely with Buffett's long-documented dietary habits. The article notes he stepped down as chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway in December after sixty years at the helm, before retiring as chairman in September. He is widely reported to drink five cans of Coca-Cola daily, and in 2015 joked that he was one-quarter Coca-Cola because the drink supplied 25 per cent of his daily calories. At Berkshire's 1986 annual meeting he announced he was ending 48 years of loyalty to Pepsi in favour of Cherry Coke.
That preference also carried financial significance. Berkshire Hathaway acquired a stake of roughly 9 per cent in the drinks company in the mid-1990s for approximately US$1.3 billion. According to the article, the holding was valued at around US$28 billion at the end of December, representing a 21-fold return.
The article also describes Buffett's preference for fast food and confectionery, including breakfast from McDonald's on his morning commute and snacks such as hot dogs, popcorn and ice cream. This is reflected in Berkshire's holdings, which include wholly owned Dairy Queen and See's Candies and a major equity stake in Kraft Heinz. His limited taste for unfamiliar food has also caused difficulties abroad, including an uncomfortable sushi dinner in Tokyo. During a 17-day tour of China in 1995 with Bill Gates and Melinda Gates, the group arranged for hotel kitchen staff to be trained to cook hamburgers and chips, and had Cherry Coke waiting for Buffett at the top of the Great Wall.
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