American political history is filled with memorable moments involving food and drink. Notably, one incident that stands out is the inauguration of President Andrew Jackson in 1829. Known for his love of whiskey, Jackson’s inauguration took a chaotic turn as approximately 20,000 enthusiastic supporters flooded Washington, D.C. celebrating his victory.

This overwhelming crowd turned the White House into a scene of mayhem. Guests clamored to see Jackson, resulting in furniture damage and spilled refreshments amid the revelry. To mitigate the chaos, White House staff cleverly placed large tubs of whiskey punch and ice cream on the lawn, encouraging guests to move outside and help restore order.

Following this infamous inauguration, Jackson’s association with whiskey became a lasting element of his legacy. He was known to favor bourbon, even distilling it himself in Tennessee before his presidency. As part of the mythos surrounding Jackson, numerous culinary historians have attempted to recreate the fabled orange whiskey punch served at his inauguration—often referred to as "American orange punch" or "inaugural punch."

Though the original recipe has been lost, modern adaptations typically include orange juice, spices, and a base of rye whiskey or bourbon, with variations sometimes calling for Cognac or rum. For those looking to recreate the spirit of that tumultuous day, serving this punch by the barrel could make for quite an entertaining gathering.

For more on the history of food and drink in politics, consider exploring the recipe and variations of Jacksonian punch.