A bespoke cocktail called the 'Alliance', blending Johnnie Walker Black whisky with marmalade and topped with a pecan foam and toasted marshmallow, was served at the state banquet for US President Donald Trump. The drink, a transatlantic twist on a whisky sour, was created by Buckingham Palace to honour the visiting leader, continuing a tradition of crafting a unique cocktail for each state dinner.
The menu included Warre’s 1945 vintage port, chosen for Mr Trump’s role as the 45th and 47th President, and Hennessy 1912 Cognac in recognition of his mother’s birth year. A Bowmore Queen’s Cask whisky, gifted to the late Queen Elizabeth II, reflected his Scottish heritage. Despite Mr Trump being a teetotaller, the White House was informed of the thoughtful selections.
The banquet, held in St George’s Hall at Buckingham Palace, featured a table 47.32 metres long, decorated with 139 candles and 1,452 pieces of cutlery for 160 guests. The menu, written in French, included Hampshire watercress panna cotta, organic Norfolk chicken ballotine, and a vanilla ice cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet, chosen for Mr Trump’s sweet tooth.
Guests representative of Atlantic relationships were seated according to a plan approved by the King and Queen. Seasonal flowers from royal gardens were arranged in silver-gilt centrepieces, with surplus blooms donated to the charity Floral Angels. Music from the Duchess of Edinburgh’s String Orchestra included Nessun Dorma, a James Bond medley, and songs by the Rolling Stones and Sir Elton John.
