A Modern Twist on 18th-century Chocolate

American Heritage Chocolate MousseTalk about a sweet assignment! Last week, we got to sit in on a culinary demonstration inside our Taste Studio with Head Pastry Chef Rodney Diehl as he showed us how to whip up delicious chocolate ganache, crème brûlée, mousse, and our famous Colonial Williamsburg hot chocolate. They may be modern recipes but each was inspired by an ingredient that’s been around for more than 250 years. (Stay tuned for the recipes, below!)…

Read More »

Cheers! 5 Colonial-Era Cocktails from Serious Eats

Syllabub Colonial Cocktail

Syllabub Image courtesy of Serious Eats

If you’ve never heard of a syllabub or a rattle-skull, you can blame your grade-school history teachers—according to author Corin Hirsch. These colonial-era cocktails, including the dreamy syllabub topped with frothy egg whites, serve up an impressive dose of history. And, we hear they taste pretty good too! …

Read More »

Gingerbread Cookies: Raleigh Tavern Recipe

Gingerbread Cookies

Have you ever noticed how certain aromas enter your nose—then waft down to the deepest nooks and crannies of your soul? They can unlock memories you didn’t even realize were buried there. Simply put: specific smells and tastes take us to our “happy place.” And that’s exactly where I ended up when we stepped into the kitchen at the Williamsburg Lodge for a private baking lesson….

Read More »

What’s in Season: Tomatoes, Green Beans & Peppers

Tomatoes, Peppers, and Green Beans

Most of us would agree a meal in our house usually starts with a recipe. But in the 1700s, it started with the ingredients. Colonists didn’t have the luxury of filling a shopping cart with imported produce and instead depended on what was actually growing in their gardens. So, in taking a page out of their 18th-century cookbook, we took a stroll down Duke of Gloucester Street to get an idea of which fruits, vegetables, and herbs are still in season as we transition from summer to fall….

Read More »