Budgeting can only go so far, especially on vacations, and even on the cheapest Disney vacations, you deserve to treat yourself and splurge at least once. You’ve taken the kids to meet Mickey Mouse, you’ve ridden all the attractions, you’ve been immersed in all things Disney for half a week. Now is the time to have fun with the adults. Drinks from around the world at Epcot.
While getting drunk at a family-friendly vacation spot isn’t the goal here, thousands of people have a tradition of walking World Showcase at Epcot, sampling adult beverages during stops at all the international pavilions. You can try the wines or stick with the beers, but my favorite by far is the unique and tasty fruity drinks that some of the pavilions and kiosks specialize in. Try one of each or share each with a friend. You’ll have a warm glow at the end of the day that has nothing to do with Florida weather.
Begin your tour by turning left as you enter the World Showcase. You will arrive first in Mexico, with its gigantic Aztec monument. Step inside the new La Cava del Tequila and try one of the many new margaritas on the menu. Each one is mixed with fresh fruit—no syrupy concoction here—and they’re rimmed with flavored salts from different origins.
Move on to the Chinese pavilion below. Skip the coffee and go to the Joy of Tea stand outside. Here you will find a couple of unique fruity cocktails. There’s the Canto Loopy, which is a mix of vodka and melon juice, as well as the Mango Gingerita, a mix of mango and ginger on ice.
Take a walk through the Refreshment Coolpost and Germany. They don’t have anything you want to drink today. Ah, but Italy! The Italian Pavilion houses two of Epcot’s best fruity drinks, Bellini and Limoncello. A Bellini is a heavenly combination of champagne and peach nectar and Limoncello is a tart lemon liqueur served chilled in a shot glass. Drink it neat, 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 will still be able to enjoy these cocktails. France is home to one of the most popular cocktails at Epcot, the Gray Goose Citron Lemonade Slush. And for those who aren’t big fans of lemonade, there’s the Grand Marnier Orange Slush. Both drinks are large, ice cold, and hit the spot after a few hours of hiking.
Anglophile or not, you’ll enjoy the atmosphere in the Rose and Crown pub in the UK pavilion. Grab a table inside or out and enjoy a Welsh Dragon, which is a mix of peach schnapps, melon schnapps, crème de menthe, orange juice, and pineapple juice.
End your world tour of fruity cocktails in Canada with a Torontopolitan. This ultimate feminine cocktail combines iceberg vodka, orange juice, chambord, and cranberry juice in a deceptively innocent-tasting concoction. Good thing this is the last drink on your list. Canadian bartenders are usually pretty generous with the alcohol on this one.
Whether you’re enjoying a cocktail during an afternoon stroll or taking the full world tour, you’re sure to find drinks you’ll enjoy on your world drinking tour at Epcot. Cheap Disney vacations never tasted so good.