Mount Vernon: A Home
Slavery at Mount Vernon
Farm to Table

Dining with the Washingtons
Table Manners
Patriotic Foods
The Cost of Dining

Drinks with the Washingtons

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Washington had tea served every day after dinner at Mount Vernon. Tea was very important to Virginians, but not because of its taste. Drinking tea with friends or family was an important social event. While sipping their tea, Virginians could talk to their friends and show off their manners. To make and drink tea back then, one had to know how to use the different plates, bowls, spoons and ingredients. It was very complicated and required the very best manners. Virginians liked to show their friends how well they knew their manners at tea time.

Tea

Beer

Coffee

While adults drink it more for special occasions today, wine was a common drink at Mount Vernon. Today, we know how to make water safe to drink but, in Washington's day, the water could make you sick. Washington had to find other things to drink, like wine. Washington bought wines from many countries but his favorite was Maderia, which came from Portugal.

Wine

In Washington's day, chocolate candy hadn't been invented yet! The only way to get chocolate was to drink it. Colonial hot chocolate was less sweet than the cocoa we are used to. Colonists added sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, red pepper and other ingredients to make it less bitter. Mrs. Washington liked to have hot chocolate for breakfast with her toast.

Cocoa

Punch

Thanks for dining with us!

Did you know?

Washington would occasionally end the meal with a toast. He would lift his glass and say, "All our friends." The guests would respond by saying "Huzzah!" three times. Then, everyone at the table took a sip of their drink.

"Huzzah, huzzah, huzzah!"

Christina| HIST 697 | George Mason University | Spring 2013