150 years ago today, Confederate General Robert E. Lee, commander in chief of the Army of Northern Virginia, surrendered to his counterpart, Union General Ulysses S. Grant, at Appomattox. It would take several more months of various surrenders, but the loss of Lee’s Army was an unrecoverable blow to the Southern war effort and is often marked, at least symbolically as the end of the American Civil War.

The following recipe is vaguely contemporary to the conflict, and is just one of the multitude of drinks named in honor of the leaders on both sides of the Civil War. Based upon its contents, it is certainly not something General Grant himself (his drink of choice was reported to be Old Crow Bourbon) would have chosen to drink.

General Grant

recipe adapted from Gentleman’s Table Guide, 1873

• 1 Pint Bottle Champagne
• 1 Wine Glass Cognac
• 1 Gill Pineapple Syrup
• 1 Gill Strawberry Syrup
• 1 Sliced Orange

Add the above to a large mixing glass along with a tumbler of shaved ice. Shake well and strain. Serves 2.