Learn to make historic cocktails enjoyed by George Washington and his contemporaries as well as explore his favorite beer and wine selections.
Alcohol and drinking were common features of everyday life for ordinary Americans in the eighteenth century. General Washington was not against enjoying a drink himself, serving libations to his frequent guests, or even supplying alcohol for political purposes.
Historic Recipes
Madeira
A fortified wine produced on the Portuguese island of Madeira in the eastern Atlantic, in the eighteenth century madeira was common in Britain and particularly popular in the American colonies. George Washington had an affinity for this particular type of wine.
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A Beer Aficionado
George Washington’s fondness for Madeira wine is well known. Less commonly recognized is his love of good beer.
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Whiskey Production at Mount Vernon
Washington had a significant impact on the whiskey industry in the United States, both by his example as a distiller and through his role in the Whiskey Rebellion.
Learn moreSpirits Distilled at Mount Vernon
George Washington was one of the largest whiskey producer in America. Today we continue the tradition of producing whiskey as well as other small batch distilled spirits at our historic Distillery & Gristmill site.
375ml bottles of the distilled spirits produced at Mount Vernon are available for purchase at the Shops at Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant offers a selection of our current offerings at the bar or during dinner.
Colonial Food
Recipes
Want to learn how to cook like Martha Washington? Check out our colonial recipes page.
Dine with Us
Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant
Savor the flavors of early America at the Mount Vernon Inn Restaurant, located just footsteps from George Washington’s historic estate.
Visit
Washington's Distillery®
George Washington entered the whiskey business in 1797 - and it was quite the profitable success. Visit a fully functioning reconstruction of his distillery today.
Collections
Ale Glasses, Wine Coolers, and More
Visitors to Mount Vernon routinely enjoyed a selection of beverages ranging from fine wines to hard cider, ale, beer, and the Philadelphia porter of which Washington was fond.
Cookbooks
Entertain like the Washingtons. See our collections of 18th century inspired cookbooks and cocktail recipes available for purchase.
GW Cypher Highball Glass
An elegant addition to any table. George Washington's Cypher, or monogram, is etched on the clear glass with six small stars commemorating Washington's rank as America's only six-star general below the cypher.
GW Cypher Wine Glass
Six small stars decorate the reverse side commemorating Washington's rank as America's only six-star general, and indicate the fill line for a perfect 6 ounce pour. The 17 oz. glass is dishwasher safe. Approximately 8 1/2" tall. Made in Italy and etched in America.