While alcohol was at one time unavailable across all of Disney property, drinking around the world has become a sort of rite of passage for older fans. Epcot® and World Showcase have become synonymous with their eclectic selection of food and drink, whether during one of its many festivals or not, so it’s only natural that the marathon to try it all has become a popular guest tradition.
Before you start grabbing a drink in every country, it’s wise to know that adult beverages can become expensive when buying them in bulk. This guide’s recommendations will also include our favorite drinks from every country, which means there are a lot of different types of alcohol. That might not always combine well with heavy crowds and the Florida heat, so it could be wise to partner up with a friend or significant other to split the price and the alcohol. It keeps the day enjoyable, and also helps with those who aren’t as adventurous, a theme for this guide.
Also, consider picking up a snack in every few countries. Whether you trade out a drink for a treat is up to you, but it’ll certainly help throughout the day and can give any younger guests or non-drinkers a similar activity to participate in.
As goes without saying, guests at Walt Disney World® Resort are all paying to have just as magical a vacation as you. Be smart when taking in that much alcohol, and always be respectful of other guests and cast members. It’s not a race, the whole point is to enjoy the drinks!
Without further delay, here’s how to get the maximum enjoyment out of one of Epcot®’s most fabled adult traditions.
Mexico
The greatest debate when drinking around the world is whether to start in Mexico or Canada. Going with Mexico first puts some of the heavier alcohols on the front end, meaning the second half of the loop gets easier.
The Mexico pavilion also has one of my favorite drinks in all of Walt Disney World® Resort. Choza de Margarita, the new stand just outside of the temple-themed building, boasts great frozen margaritas and some of the best quick service in all of World Showcase. They’re great options, especially when looking for lower prices, but the real specialties come from La Cava del Tequila inside the building.
All of La Cava del Tequila’s margaritas (and there’s plenty to choose from) use fresh ingredients, and it makes all the difference in the world. Their drinks are some of the most complex, flavor-packed throughout all of property, and while some fan-favorites like the avocado margarita and the blood orange margarita are worth all of the hype, the real winner here is the jalapeño margarita.
Don’t lose your mind at the thought of a hot pepper being dropped into your drink under the already-hot sun of Central Florida. The drink is actually super refreshing, with the pepper adding just a hint of spice and enough of an interesting flavor to keep surprising with every sip.
The jalapeño margarita is one of the pricier drinks of the day, but it checks off all the boxes of the perfect alcoholic beverage. It’s the perfect way to kick off your tour of the world’s drinks and sets the bar high for the rest of Disney property.
Norway
Norway has become known for the pastries in its Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, but it’s got some interesting drinks, too.
Chief among those is the Viking coffee, a cocktail featuring Kamora Coffee Liqueur and Baileys Irish Cream. It’s perfect for coffee lovers and those who are willing to be a bit more adventurous, and pairs perfectly with any of those famous pastries (school bread is one of those hyped-up snacks that is absolutely as good as everyone says).
If coffee is a surefire no-go for you, there are some great Nordic draft beers on tap as well, but since some of the later stops will get beer-heavy, it is best to choose the Viking coffee here if your taste buds are into it.
China
China is a fun stop because there are so many options for so many different palettes. There are great beers, great cocktails and great wines, so no matter what you or your party members’ alcohol preferences are, you’re all sure to agree on something.
The Canto Loopy, a cocktail made with vodka and cantaloupe juice, is a guest-favorite and offers unique flavors that some of the later drinks won’t. Our recommendation is different than the norm, though, as we suggest going with the plum wine at the Lotus Blossom Café. It’s a cheaper, smaller portion, and wine isn’t the highlight of very many countries in World Showcase. It helps that this one is great, too.
Germany
There are great cocktails in Germany, but we’d be kidding if we said there was a better option here than the beer. The Schöfferhofer Pink Grapefruit Hefeweizen is by far the favorite here, and it is in fact so popular that sometimes one of the locations offering it will run out. Fortunately, every food and beverage stand in the pavilion offers it, and even when the lines get long, the waits are usually short.
It is easily one of the park’s most refreshing beers, a gift on these now-infamous hot days. And while for some, flavor might not be the primary concern when drinking beer, this one boasts enough of it to make it just as interesting and complex as some of the more popular mixed drinks.
Italy
The table service Via Napoli offers the best drinks of any restaurant in World Showcase, but those without a reservation there are still in luck, as Italy has more locations with quality alcohol options that most any other pavilion.
The Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar is one of Disney’s best bars, and is the perfect location to slow down and cool off. Any park day can be a busy day, but shopping, riding and watching shows around World Showcase can feel especially fast-paced sometimes. There’s so much to do and see that the dark, calm lounge offers the perfect place to recharge for more of the excitement and fun outside.
There are some awesome food dishes and pasta options, but this probably isn’t the post for me to get carried away with dining at Disney. There are a ton of great options both in the lounge and at stands outside, but the frizzante (champagne) and limoncello make great choices.
United States
I will use every opportunity I can to mention the Voices of Liberty. For the uninitiated, it’s an a capella group that performs under the rotunda inside the pavilion’s primary building. It’s an absolutely jaw-dropping performance, and time and time again I’m floored. Whether you have or haven’t seen them before, use your drinking around the world excursion as your excuse to stop by and watch.
So, getting back on topic, what’s the best drink at the middle pavilion? If you need something else refreshing, grab the Buffalo Trace Bourbon Coke from Liberty Inn, a slushy featuring America’s most popular soft drink. There’s also a bunch of locally brewed craft beers, all of which are great choices for those who aren’t as big on the colas.
Japan
The sake bar all the way past Mitsukoshi offers some great tastings and options to experiment with, and give one of the most authentic alcohol experiences of any of the pavilions. The Japan pavilion is one already woven with such a deep respect of an incredibly intriguing culture, and the sake bar feels like a beautiful way to cap all of that off.
That said, the Tokyo Sunset is going to be the favorite drink of anyone who likes anything fruity. With a base of pineapple juice and alcohols featuring peach schnapps, coconut rum and banana liqueur, it’s that exact thing that fits the refreshing mold I’ve been so intent on painting throughout the rest of the post. It’s great for a social media picture, too.
Morocco
The Spice Road Table is just one of the pavilions many great dining locations, and also has a bar that’s perfect for this sort of thing. There are some great cocktails at the bar, but the recommendation goes to the many authentic beers offered here.
Casa is one of the most popular of the beer options, but Efes and Mythos make for great choices, too. If all this is unfamiliar to you, this is a great time to get to know one of Disney’s best selections of bartenders and ask for their help and recommendations.
France
The France pavilion is the hybrid of what makes drinking around the world such a fantastic time. There are so many good food options, especially in the pastry department, and the number of quality beverages is not far behind. There are almost no bad options here, and while it all comes down to taste, one drink does rise above the others.
The Grand Marnier Slush, served in those glasses that it seems someone in every party is walking around with (if you don’t know the one yet, you will in time), and its popularity is well-earned. It’s another gorgeous Instagram-worthy drink, and the flavor justifies that clever caption you just came up with for it.
United Kingdom
At this point, you’re almost done your tour around World Showcase, which means it is absolutely, positively necessary to celebrate at the iconic Rose & Crown, the pub that pays homage to the most well-known drinking installations of Great Britain.
The suggestion here is to get a pint and split it with all of the members of your party who are old enough. It’s perfect to get into the spirit of the pub, and it makes the penultimate stop on your journey feel like a true celebration. The pub blends here are all excellent choices, so pick whichever one fits the taste buds of your party, and have a grand old time.
Canada
You’ve reached the end! If you’re finishing the night celebrating with a steak dinner at Le Cellier (a great reason to start in Mexico and end here), grab something fancy, or if you prefer, something a little less serious.
You can’t go wrong with an old fashioned to wind down the night, but if you’re not so hot on stronger alcohols, there are plenty of fun cocktails available to order. Those who don’t want to end the night at the restaurant have nothing to fear, for there’s a stand outside that offers plenty of great Canadian beers. The La Fin du Monde is the favorite at this one, but as has been the usual recommendation when it comes to beers, stick with your preferences and you won’t be disappointed.
And that’s it, you’ve conquered a full day at Epcot® and completed one of Disney’s most legendary traditions. Keep yourself hydrated and get some rest, you’ve earned them both.
Featured image ©Disney.