The Day Whiskey Punch Nearly Brought Down The White House

American political history is full of memorable food and drink moments. From the day President Franklin Delano Roosevelt served hot dogs to British royalty to the time President John F. Kennedy accidentally called himself a jelly donut, the White House has produced countless culinary headlines throughout the years. It's possible that none are quite as infamous, however, as the time President Andrew Jackson served whiskey punch at his inauguration, and his supporters supposedly wreaked havoc on the White House itself.

Whiskey was known as the seventh U.S. president's favorite drink, but according to the White House Historical Association, whiskey punch was more tangential to his chaotic inauguration than the cause of the mayhem. Jackson took office in 1829 following a particularly vicious election cycle: His supporters praised him as a populist antidote to elitist corruption, while his critics denounced him as a rabble-rousing megalomaniac. In their victorious excitement, around 20,000 of Jackson's "common" supporters descended upon Washington, D.C., and even joined in post-inaugural festivities at the White House.

According to official accounts, the crowds overwhelmed White House staff, and as supporters clamored to shake Jackson's hand or serve themselves refreshments, they stepped on furniture, caused servants to spill bowls of boozy orange punch, and nearly crushed Jackson to death. However, if the flowing alcoholic refreshments spurred the out-of-control excitement, they also helped put a stop to it. Staff allegedly placed large tubs of whiskey punch (and ice cream) on the lawn to draw revelers outside and disperse the crowds.

After his wild inauguration became part of national legend, President Andrew Jackson's association with whiskey in the American consciousness was cemented. He was known to drink that truly American whiskey, bourbon, in particular, and actually distilled the liquor himself in Tennessee prior to his presidential ascent. The brand Old Hickory Bourbon was even named in homage to Jackson's ubiquitous nickname.

Fascination with this moment in American history has led numerous culinary historians and publications to seek out their own recipes for Jacksonian orange whiskey punch, sometimes referred to as "American orange punch" or "inaugural punch." While the original recipe has been lost to time, it's likely that it involved orange juice, an aromatic mixture of spices, and plenty of alcohol. If you want to serve your own at your next political celebration (or non-political one), you'll need rye whiskey or bourbon (some recipes also swap these out for Cognac or rum), fresh oranges, and sugar. Some recipes call for additions like mulled orange syrup and porter beer. Serve by the barrel and you'll have yourself a party worthy of the presidency.