What did guests drink at Trump’s state banquet?
A special transatlantic cocktail and a line-up of rare wines and spirits were poured at Windsor Castle on Wednesday night, as King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted a state banquet for US president Donald Trump and First Lady Melania.
A US–UK cocktail creation
As is tradition under King Charles, the evening began with a bespoke cocktail created to mark the occasion. This year’s version was a UK–US twist on the classic whisky sour, blending Johnnie Walker Black Label with the citrus notes of marmalade, widespread media have reported.
The drink was topped with pecan foam and finished with a toasted marshmallow on a star-shaped biscuit, designed to echo the warmth of a fireside s’more.
Trump has previously said he does not drink alcohol, telling Fox News he has “never had a drink”, meaning the gesture was largely enjoyed by other guests.
Wines and champagne
The 160-strong guest list, which included Rupert Murdoch, Apple CEO Tim Cook, and BAE Systems chief Charles Woodburn, was served Wiston Estate Cuvée 2016 English sparkling wine for the toasts.
From California, Ridge Vineyards’ Monte Bello 2000 featured on the menu, alongside Domaine Bonneau du Martray’s Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2018.
Champagne was provided by Pol Roger, with the Extra Cuvée de Réserve 1998 chosen in recognition of the president’s admiration for Sir Winston Churchill, who was known to favour the house.
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Rare spirits and fortified Wines
After dinner, guests were offered a Warre’s 1945 Vintage Port, selected in reference to Trump’s status as both the 45th and 47th US president.
Also poured was a Hennessy 1912 Grande Champagne Cognac, the same year that Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born.
A Bowmore Queen’s Cask 1980 single malt, originally gifted to Queen Elizabeth II and bottled for her Golden Jubilee in 2002, was also served to reflect the president’s Scottish heritage.
A banquet fit for 160
The menu, written in French as is customary, opened with Hampshire watercress panna cotta and Parmesan shortbread with quail egg salad. The main course was ballotine of organic Norfolk chicken wrapped in courgettes with thyme and savoury jus, followed by bombe glacée Cardinal – a vanilla ice cream bombe with Kentish raspberry sorbet and poached plums.
The table in St George’s Hall stretched 47.32 metres, decorated with 139 candles and set with 1,452 pieces of cutlery. Household staff spent days preparing, with the final flowers placed just hours before the banquet began.
In his speech, King Charles III highlighted the enduring ties between the United Kingdom and the United States, while the menu and drinks offered a carefully curated nod to both nations’ traditions.
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