Budgeting can only go so far, especially on vacation, and on even the cheapest of cheap Disney vacations, you deserve to give yourself a treat and splurge at least once. You’ve taken the kids to meet Mickey Mouse, you’ve ridden all the rides, you’ve been submerged in all things Disney for half of a week. Now it’s time for some adult fun. Drinks around the world at Epcot.
While getting drunk in a family vacation spot isn’t the goal here, thousands of people have a tradition of walking around World Showcase in Epcot, tasting adult beverages during stops at all the international pavilions. You can try the wines or stick with beers, but my favorite by far is the unique and tasty fruity beverages that some of the pavilions and kiosks specialize in. Try one of each, or share each one with a friend. You’ll have a warm glow by the end of the day that has nothing to do with Florida’s weather.
Begin your tour by turning left as you enter World Showcase. You’ll reach Mexico first, with its giant Aztec monument. Enter the new La Cava del Tequila and try one of the many new margaritas on the menu. Each one is blended with fresh fruit, no syrupy mix here, and they are rimmed with flavored salts of varying origins.
Move on the Chinese pavilion next. Skip the cafe and hit the Joy of Tea stand outside. Here you’ll find a pair of unique fruity cocktails. There is the Canto Loopy, which is a mixture of vodka and canteloupe juice as well as the Mango Gingerita, a mango and ginger concoction over ice.
Take a stroll past Refreshment Coolpost and Germany. They don’t have anything you want to drink today. Ah, but Italy! The Italian pavilion is home to two of the finest fruity drinks in Epcot, the Bellini and Limoncello. A Bellini is a heavenly combination of champagne and peach nectar and Limoncello is a tart lemon liquor that comes cold in a shot glass. Drink it straight, you’ll want more.
The next three countries are beer and wine havens so move on to the French pavilion. If the day is hot, you’re in luck. If the weather is cool, you’ll still enjoy these cocktails. France is home to one of the most popular cocktails in Epcot, the Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slush. And for those who aren’t big lemonade fans, there is the Grand Marnier Orange Slush. Both drinks are large, icy and hit the spot after a few hours of walking.
Whether or not you’re an Anglophile, you’ll enjoy the atmosphere at the Rose and Crown pub in the United Kingdom pavilion. Grab a table indoors or out and enjoy a Welsh Dragon, which is a mixture of peach schnapps, melon liqueur, crème de menthe, orange juice, and pineapple juice.
Finish your fruity cocktail world tour in Canada with a Torontopolitan. This ultimate girly cocktail combines iceberg vodka, orange juice, chambord, and cranberry juice in a deceptively innocent-tasting concoction. It’s a good thing this is the last drink on your list. The Canadian bartenders are usually quite generous with the alcohol in this one.
Whether you treat yourself to one cocktail during an afternoon stroll or go for the full round-the-world tour, you’re sure to find drinks you’ll enjoy on your tour of drinks around the world in Epcot. Cheap Disney vacations never tasted this good.
