Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US) alcohol; prob. cheap and potent and thus liable to inflame one’s passions.

1920		H. Wiley Wildcat 53: Ruckus juice, boy. Ruckus juice an’ best let be, – ’ceptin when you gits a all-day pass to Bo’deaux on a Sat’day an they ain’t no mo’ work befo’ Monday.
1924		F.P. Adams So Much Velvet 83: Nor slugs o’ ruckus juice.
1929		‘Wet Words in Kansas’ AS IV:5 385: Such terms as rookus juice [...] are evidently references to the potency or the effect of the liquor designated.
1941		L.A. Times 23 Mar. B14: One thing draftees learn in the Army is a new language, as many will agree at this border post [...] ‘Ruckus juice’ is whisky.
1957		C. Himes Imabelle 37: Someone was [...] drinking ruckus-juice and talking about fighting.
1965		C. Himes Rage in Harlem (1969) 38: [as 1957].
1968		I. Reed Free-Lance Pallbearers 12: Bring back rukus juice and chittlins.