Disney Dining Disney Dining Tips, News, and Reviews
Like it, love it, or hate it, drinking around the world is a time-honored tradition at EPCOT. In case you’re unfamiliar, “drinking around the world” refers to an unofficial challenge among Disney fans in which Guests try to consume a drink in each of the 11 countries around EPCOT’s World Showcase. Many have tried. Only some have succeeded.
Credit: Conde Nast Traveler
Those who fail usually have one thing in common: they started in Mexico. Drinking around the world or not, Mexico is the most popular place to start one’s world showcase tour. It is a favorite pavilion for foodies and drink lovers alike because of its amazing cuisine and excellent drink options. Those drinks, though, are Tequila-based. It’s not uncommon to start and end your challenge here because they pack a punch.
Contrary to popular advice, I recommend starting in Canada. By starting in Canada, you can experience the very best of what each country has to offer in progressively stronger beverages. Canada and the U.K. start you off with beer, and you move to progressively stronger beverages as you make your way counter-clockwise around World Showcase. This will help ensure you’ve got a better chance at not only making it but making it responsibly (and without getting sick).
Credit: Disney PhotoSnapper
Wondering what to order? As a multiple-time drink around the world completer, I’ve got a list of tried and true options for each pavilion that will suit almost any taste. Read on to discover what you should get and where to make the most of your challenge!
I find it to be a fun challenge to try to be as authentic as possible in my drink selections when I take on this challenge. I either like to choose something I couldn’t get anywhere else or something that is representative and/or native to the country in question. Sometimes the choices are a bit “on the nose,” but that’s kind of the point! Here’s my typical line-up (it hasn’t failed me yet):
Credit: Beer Canada
Canada: La Fin du Monde. This beer is a Canadian icon! Translating to “the end of the world”, this beer is brewed using a recipe from teappist monks from the middle ages! Definitely worth a sip!
United Kingdom: Guinness. Enough said, right? While the U.K. is well known for its beers, none stands out quite as much as Guinness. It is, admittedly, a bit of an acquired taste for Americans as we are used to sweeter flavors (even in our savory fare). If a dark ale isn’t your cup of tea, give the Bass Pale Ale a try. It’s common here in the U.S., but it qualifies as it’s a British import.
Credit: Disney
International Gateway: Stop at World Traveler for a bottled water. You’ll want to stay hydrated on your journey.
France: The Grand Marnier Orange Slush. I know I said we’d start easy and move up to liquor, but this slush is too good to miss (plus, I don’t know about you, but I never find a blended frozen cocktail to be as strong as a drink on the rocks).
Morocco: It gets tricky here. Arabic countries aren’t known for their alcohol due to the religious nature of most Middle Eastern governments. This is true for Morocco as we. Alcohol crisis is legal there but often hard to find and typically imported from elsewhere. To really get an authentic experience, we recommend a quick sit down at Spice Road Table for a small plate of authentic Moroccan food. The food helps fuel you up and helps keep you sober. Remember, the goal is an enjoyable tasting experience, not a “let’s get trashed” marathon. While you’re at Spice Road Table, order a Moroccan Mule; the fig vodka is the closest you’ll get to authenticity here.
Credit: Jill Bivins
Japan: Saki. For the best Sake experience, you may be tempted to head to the Saki Bar in the back of the Mitsukososhi Department Store. That’s a good option, but the BEST experience I have ever had was at Garden House. You can’t miss it, it’s an adorable little outdoor location near the front of the pavilion. I wasn’t sure what to order, told them the kind of Saki I liked, and they set me up with samples until we found the perfect one (pictured above).
Credit: Disney Drinks
America: Moonshine Sour. Found at the walk-up bar at Regal Eagle, this sweet drink is incredibly popular. It’s made with Ole Smoky blackberry moonshine, which hails from Tennessee!
Italy: Wine flight. Italian wine is some of the best in the world, and it’s impossible to choose just one! That’s why the wine flights at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar are the perfect option. You can’t go wrong with any of them, but I highly recommend Under the Tuscan Sun. And don’t worry, I wouldn’t steer you wrong, I promised a gentle transition so that you can actually make it around the world, and I meant it. The flights are 3oz total divided into 1oz pours. No wine-drunk naps here!
Germany: Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen. Of course, my suggestion for Germany is a beer. You could go with a Reisling, but beer and Germany just go hand in hand! The Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen has made history too! It’s the first Hefeweizen to be blended with grapefruit juice which really makes this beer truly unique (and worth trying).
Credit: Disney
Refreshment Outpost: this is yet another excellent opportunity for a hydration break. Stop here for water (and maybe a small snack) to help keep you in the game for the rest of your world tour!
China: China is difficult bc there are two here that are absolutely amazing: Tipsy Ducks In Love and Honey Hibiscus Hard Iced Tea. Usually, I go with Honey Hibiscus Hard Iced Tea because it’s lighter, fruitier, and is exactly what it sounds like (plus blueberry boba)! Tipsy Ducks in Love consists of Bourbon, Black Tea, Coffee, Cream, and Chocolate, so it sits pretty heavy.
Norway: Once upon a time, I’d have recommended a shot of Norwegian liquor Aquavit, but they no longer serve it here. Now, if you want something authentic, you’ll want to go with Einstök White Ale. However, if you want the very BEST thing on the menu, get the Frozen Viking Coffee! It’s not at all Norwegian with Bailey’s Irish Cream and Kamora Coffee Liqueur, but we’re on stop number 10 out of 11 stops, so I think we’re allowed.
Credit: Jill Bivins
Mexico: We did it! By now, we are feeling as lightheaded as our wallet is, but we did it! Time to celebrate!!!! Do yourself a favor: SKIP Choza de Margarita. The good stuff is inside. Go grab a table at La Cava Del Tequila, even if there’s a wait. It’s worth it. Any of the margaritas on the menu at La Cava will be worth your time, but I prefer the Blood Orange Margarita.
Congratulations! you just made it to all 11 countries and you’re now a Drink Around the World completer. Now that you’ve done it, please don’t become my next “Guests behaving badly” headline. Take yourself to the buses (don’t drive), go back to your hotel and go night-night. You’re going to need it (plus, no one wants to celebrate with a trespassing charge.)
