a wish for grace

1 1/2 oz Privateer Amber Rum (Privateer Silver)
3/4 oz Blandy 5 Year Verdelho Madeira
1/2 oz Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
3/4 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
1 dash Angostura Bitters

Shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Two Tuesdays ago, I decided to make a drink that Maggie from Privateer pointed out on her Instagram; the drink was part of a project by the Smithsonian to tie cocktails to history. A Wish for Grace, the recipe that used her rum, was created by Steven Liles of Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco. The name refers to Grace Wisher, a 13 year old African American servant who assisted Mary Pickersgill to help sew the "Star-Spangled Banner" flag. For spirits, Steven chose New England rum and Madeira that would have been popular in taverns of that day.
A Wish for Grace began with a lemon and grape aroma that led into an orange and grape sip. The swallow then presented a rum and lemon swallow with grape and dried fruit flavors from the Madeira. Overall, the drink had a very classic feel reminiscent of old punches and cups such as the West Indies Punch.