54th Regiment

54th Massachusetts Regiment (Zinn Education Project)

This riff on the 4th Regiment cocktail brings in Averna to give it a little additional seasoning and make it ‘Black’ and so we’ve renamed it accordingly in remembrance of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment. The second all Black regiment to be recruited for in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Recruitment was spearheaded by prominent abolitionists including Fredrick Douglas who’s two sons were some of the first to enlisted. The 54th Massachusetts played a major role in pioneering Black civil war regiments, with 150 all-black regiments created after the 54th.

The 54th Regiment at the The Second Battle of Fort Wagner, July 18, 1863

Their most notable battle which unfortunately resulted in the slaughter of 40% of the regiment, was the Second Battle of Fort Wagner. This battle was one of the most famous episodes of the war and was eventually recognized and memorialized in artwork, poetry, song and was the basis for the 1989 film Glory.

54th Regiment

2 oz. of New Dawn Bourbon

3/4 oz. Averna

2 dashes celery bitters

1 dash Orleans bitters

1 Dash orange bitters

Garnish: Orange twist

Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir till chilled and strain into martini, coupe, or Nick and Nora glass.