Updated April 12, 2011 with new drinks and availability in Mexico, Norway, Germany, Japan, Morocco, and United Kingdom.
Introduction to Drinking Around the World
Alcoholics and “I’m not an alcoholic I just like to consume alcohol” drinkers unite (I don’t judge). A favorite activity of many Disney vacationing adults is “drinking around the world.” For the uninitiated, the World Showcase at Epcot is made up of eleven distinct areas, each themed like a country during an important time in their history. You’ll find unique gifts, fun shows, immersive activities, and the occasional ride. Of course, even more significant than hockey jerseys or harp shows is the food and drink available. Each country offers quasi-authentic food – hamburgers in the United States, tacos in Mexico, and sushi in Japan for example. You’ll also find international beers and select mixed alcoholic drinks in all of the represented locales. The goal of drinking around the world is to consume an alcoholic drink in each country before (or while) moving on to the next. Yes, at least ten drinks in all.
Can I Handle This?
You might hear about someone riding all the rides at the Animal Kingdom in one day or riding Splash Mountain 500 times over 20 years. These are insignificant achievements compared to what you are attempting to accomplish. Anyone can follow a laundry list of rides to run to or spend all their money on Disney vacations. Not everyone can continue to consume alcohol while their liver begs for forgiveness, the 100 degree sun beats down, and each country seems to inch further and further away. Ten drinks is probably a lot and you may be able to have just as much fun drinking at every other country or just the particularly “good” ones. You don’t get any additional points for failing to crawl back to the monorail station, so consider your limits and don’t become hypnotized by what may be unachievable. It’s okay, you can always practice and return at a later date. The margaritas will still be there. Just hope they don’t add any additional countries in the meantime.
I Really Want to Achieve the Impossible, What Training Do You Suggest?
This is the most common question I receive. The method I recommend is entering the smallest, most cramped room in your home (that isn’t a bathroom) and turning the heat up as high as possible. If you have any additional space heaters, you’ll want to bring those with you and plug them in as well. Prepare your portable refrigerator or freezer with one of your least favorite alcohols or beers. This will help endurance and prepare you for a beverage that may not be to your taste. There’s nothing worse than receiving a Canta Loopy that slows you down because you don’t like the flavor. Once you’ve prepared your room to properly simulate Orlando weather, open your first beer or mix your first drink and consume it while running in place at a brisk pace (a treadmill is even better, you might want to purchase one). Continue running while consuming one drink every 30 minutes for five to six hours. Instruct your significant other to enter the room once per hour and throw a large bucket of water on you. This will simulate the flash rain showers you can expect during summer months. If you have any kids, tell them to enter the room every 15 minutes and run around you as fast as they can while making as much noise as possible. Although this won’t accurately imitate the thousands of kids running around at Epcot, it’s the best we can do on such short notice and decreases your chances of strangling any of them. Actually, I’ve just gotten word from my lawyer and I have to advise you not to use the previously mentioned technique due to liability concerns. Looks like practice ideas are up to you. Sorry.
I’ve Convinced Myself I Can Handle This, How Much Is It Going To Cost Me?
Beers at Epcot cost about as much as they would at a professional sporting event or upscale bar. In other words, expect to pay between $6 and $8 each. Mixed alcoholic drinks and frozen margarita-like drinks run about $9, depending on ingredients and size. Some are slightly more or less expensive, but expect to pay that on average. Wine is slightly cheaper and available at most of the countries, but you’ll probably want to do most of your wine drinking in France and Italy as it’s rarer in several of the other countries. All in all, one alcoholic drink purchase at each of the eleven pavilions will run you between $80 and $100.
Enough With This Technical Stuff. I Wanna Drink Already!
I don’t blame you. Let’s go over what’s available at each of the countries and what I would recommend ordering. You can also click any of the blue highlighted links to be taken to the full review for that country, including what attractions/rides are available and an overview of what else to expect in terms of food, scenery, and live shows. Other mentioned restaurants and whatnot are also highlighted in case you want to be taken to the full review for those as well.
There are two countries that you can start at, depending on if you want to walk around clockwise or counterclockwise. I would suggest starting with Canada if you’re going to drink beer and Mexico if you’re planning to drink hard liquor or mixed drinks. If you’re going to mix and match I would also recommend Mexico, so we’ll start there and work our way around.
Finally, with few exceptions, I only include the alcohol and beer available at the counter service locations and kiosks. All of the table service restaurants in Epcot would be happy to serve you an overpriced alcoholic drink, but stopping at any of them will take considerable time. You probably won’t want to plan to get a drink from more than one or two of them at most.
Mexico is the drinkers’ Mecca, both at Epcot and the “real world.” La Cava del Tequila, attached to the San Angel Inn restaurant, seats about 30 people and offers more than 70 tequilas ranging in price from about $8 to more than $50. The menu includes a great number of margarita interpretations, all of which are blended with fresh fruit and rimmed with exotic flavored salts. You’ll also find a variety of beers, including Tecate, Dos Equis, Sol, and Bohemia. The Bohemia is the best of the bunch, although all are brewed by the same brewer, Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma, S.A. de C.V. They cost between $6.25 and $7.25. The frozen margaritas at La Cava are $9.25 and specialty margaritas are $12.50. Stick with the fresh margaritas, particularly the blood orange or jalapeno, both of which offer a unique tasting experience. The tequila flights also come recommended.
Outside, La Cantina de San Angel offers a 20 ounce Dos Equis beer ($7.50) as well as a number of frozen margaritas ($8.99). Dos Equis is an easy drinking American Adjunct Lager, similar to Budweiser, with a 5% alcohol by volume content. The margaritas are similar to what you would purchase on the Las Vegas strip or seedy take-out bar in the Bahamas. Full of sugar and drink mix, they’re not a good choice for those in it for the long haul. You’ll find a coffee-flavored margarita, passion fruit margarita, and a raspberry-lime margarita.
Also outside, a margarita cart serves Dos Equis (20 oz. for $7.50) and several margarita concoctions. Most of them are similar to what you’ll find at La Cantina – Margaritas ($8.99) flavored with lime, strawberry, mango, or a rainbow combination of several flavors. They are large, blended, and heavy on sugar and artificial flavoring. The kiosk also offers a “premium” margarita made with Patron Silver, Blue Curacao, lime juice, and rimmed with exotic lemon grass salt for $12.50. This margarita is similar to what you would receive at La Cava. While it is on the expensive side, it’s also a better overall value than the $9 sugar-bombs.
I would recommend visiting La Cava to quench your thirst and request a to-go cup if you plan to take your drink with you. La Cava’s margaritas are far superior to what you’ll get at any of the promenade kiosks or counter services (save for the Patron specialty margarita). If you’re in a hurry, the margarita stand is the way to go. If you’re not ordering food, there’s really no reason to wait in line at La Cantina because the drinks are very similar to what you would receive at the kiosk.
Kringla Bakeri og Kafe serves a 16 ounce Carlsberg Beer ($8), a Viking Coffee ($8.25), and a Bailey’s Coffee ($7.25). Both are coffee drinks with either Bailey’s Irish Cream or Kamora coffee liqueur. You may also run into the beer cart, which also serves Carlsberg Beer in a cup for $8 and in a souvenir stein for $11.25. Wine by the glass is available from the cart for $5.50 to $7.50 per glass. Finally, try the Linie Aquavit shot ($8.75) if you’re looking for something a little different and want to stick to hard liquor. The principal flavor comes from caraway, which is a native to western Asia, Northern Africa, Europe. Aquavit has been produced in Scandinavia since the 15th century and the brown color comes from sherry casks that are transported across the equator (linje) two times before being sold. Because the line at Kringla moves slowly, I would recommend purchasing your beverages from the beer cart.
Akershus Banquet Hall serves a variety of specialty alcoholic beverages, the best of which is the Linie Aquavit Glacier Shot ($8.25), which is a mixture of Aquavit, Vodka, Sprite, and Lime. You’ll need a reservation and pay full price for the buffet to purchase a drink at Akershus though, which doesn’t make it the best choice for someone looking to continue binge drinking. Carlsberg Beer is a German Pilsner that’s brewed in Copenhagen by Carlsberg Danmark A/S and has a 5% alcohol by volume. Scandinavians are known for “drinking snaps,” which refers to taking a quick shot of Aquavit (or other liquor) chased with a sip of beer. You may want to share a Carlsberg and each take a shot of Aquavit. I would split with contemporary tradition a bit and savor the taste of the Aquavit first and follow up with some beer a little later. Norwegian purists would agree.
The Lotus Blossom Café serves bottles of Tsingtao ($5.75), Yuengling Traditional Lager ($5.25), Budweiser ($5.25) and a plum wine ($5). Yuengling is actually brewed in Pennsylvania so it’s not exactly “Chinese” in origin. I would probably go with the Tsingtao for the sake of authenticity, although it is also an American Adjunct Lager similar to Dos Equis and Budweiser and is commonly found in grocery stores. The Tsingtao Pure Draft is an even lighter beer with less flavor, but it is a bit rarer to find in the store. Either way, you’ll receive a 12 ounce bottle poured into a plastic cup.
Outside in the Pavilion is the Joy of Tea Stand. You’ll find a similar beer and plum wine selection as well as a variety of alcoholic ($7.50 each) and non-alcoholic ($4.50 each) cocktails. I would recommend the Canto Loopy, which is a mixture of vodka and cantaloupe juice. You’ll also find a few other options, including the Mango Gingerita, Peach Snapl, and Green Plum Bao Bingh. If you’re looking for something a bit different or like frozen drinks then I would recommend the Green Plum Bao Bing, which is made with plum wine and green tea. The Gingerita is also unique and recommended, but only if you like ginger. On his last trip, your author exclaimed, “THIS ONE’S GOT SOME FLAVOR!” after taking a sip of the gingerita. The Joy of Tea is usually quicker than the Lotus Blossom, so head there unless you’re purchasing food too.
The Africa Refreshment Coolpost isn’t a particularly necessary addition to the World Showcase. It’s just a small area with a cart selling refreshments, ice cream, cookies, and other assorted beverages. If you’re doing beer, the Coolpost offers a Safari Amber for $6.25 and a Land Shark Lager for $6.25. Safari Amber is brewed by Anheuser-Busch exclusively for the Disney Company and there are only a few select places inside of Disney World where you can purchase it (it’s more common at the Animal Kingdom). It’s a decent American Amber similar to the Budweiser American Ale and tasted like it had an alcohol by volume of around 5.5%, although that information isn’t available as far as I know. Some people will tell you that this “exclusive” beer is sold around the country under various aliases. While that may or may not be true, it’s not simply rebadged Bud Light. Land Shark Lager is brewed by the Margaritaville Brewing Company in Jacksonville, Florida. It is also an American Adjunct Lager with an ABV of 4.7%. It’s a light, refreshing beer similar to Corona. In other words, it’s on the watery side and doesn’t have a lot of flavor. Since it’s technically not a country, you could probably skip the Coolpost if you’re hurting at this point, otherwise I would order a Safari Amber if you’re a beer aficionado since you can’t officially get it anywhere else. The Coolpost may also serve Yuengling and Bud Light.
Germany is to beer what Mexico is to margaritas and the German Pavilion does the country justice. Sommerfest and a beer cart sell a variety of German beers and wines. For beer, the Altenmunster Oktoberfest is excellent ($7.50 or $10.50 in a souvenir stein). Brewed by Allgäuer Brauhaus AG in Germany, this marzen style beer is about as authentic as it gets. The Radeberger Pilsner ($7.50) is more common and has a lower alcohol by volume (4.8%), but it’s still excellent and will taste a bit lighter if that’s the kind of style you prefer. Germany tends to switch out beer varieties more often than the other Pavilions and they generally do a good job. The Warsteiner Premium and Spaten Oktoberfest may be available, but they’re both even more common than the Radeberger – still better than many of the beers in the other Pavilions though. I’d skip the Beck’s and order something a little more interesting.
Wines are available at the same locations, but you’ll probably want to seek out the wine bar near the fountain for the best variety and choices. I suggest the Gunderloch Reisling Spatlese, which is a delicate, slightly sweet white wine. The Liebfraumilch is not recommended and is actually referred to in Germany as one of the lowest quality variety of wines available. It’s a semi-sweet white wine that generally costs just $6 or $7 per bottle. Wine options change often, but you can usually choose three 2oz tastes for about $9. Ask the cast member pouring what they would recommend, but ignore whatever they say if it’s the Liebfraumilch.
Seek out the kiosk for the quickest line and the best chance at finding a hard alcoholic drink, usually in the form of a shot of Jagermeister or schnapps ($7.25). They may also be serving an item called “Apfelkorn,” which is a naturally sweet, apple flavored liqueur for $7.25. It has a relatively low alcohol by volume for alcohol (between 15% and 20%) and was not invented until the 1970s, but it is an interesting liqueur that you may not be able to find locally. I prefer the beers in Germany because they’re among the best you’ll find, but the Apfelkorn is also recommended for those sticking to hard beverages.
The Italian drink cart features the extravagant Peach Bellini and Limoncello ($10 each), a variety of wines by the glass ($6-$11 or so), and a bottle of Birra Moretti beer served in a plastic cup for $6.50. Birra Moretti is a European Pale Lager with a 4.6% alcohol by volume content. It’s a light, crisp beer that probably won’t seem to have much flavor after finishing a beer in Germany. As far as wine is concerned, I would suggest the Col Di Sasso (Cabernet & Sangiovese) for $7, unless you particularly enjoy one of the other styles. Also check the store that sells wine for more choices. For hard liquor, I recommend the Limoncello, which is an intriguing lemon liqueur from Italy. If lemons aren’t your thing then the Bellini is tasty too and they may serve other frozen drinks as well.
United States (The American Experience)
The emphasis is on beer at the United States Pavilion, served at both the Liberty Inn counter service and Fife & Drum Tavern, which is a small kiosk rather than an actual tavern. You’ll find Bud Light ($5.50) and Sam Adams Boston Lager ($6.25), both about 16 ounces and served in plastic cups. Of course, whatever variety of Sam Adams that’s available will crush Bud Light for any beer snob, but you’ll know if you prefer Bud. You’ll be hard pressed to find a mixed alcoholic drink or wine in America, which is unfortunate considering the outstanding wineries throughout the U.S. and the many whiskey and bourbon distilleries. It would be a fantastic opportunity for Jim Beam or Jack Daniels, but nothing has ever come of it.
Japan is famous for its sake, which is available at a tasting bar inside the Mitsukoshi Department Store, at the Kaki Gori kiosk outside on the promenade, and at the Yakitori House counter service. You’ll find the best variety at the Mitsukoshi as well as the highest priced choices. Both the Yakitori House and Kaki Gori serve a 12 ounce Kirin Ichiban beer for $5.75, a 20 ounce version for $7.50, sake for $5.25, and a plum wine for $5.25. If you’ve never tried sake and you’re feeling queasy then you might want to skip it, but it should be fine for the adventurous and strong-tummied. If you’re unfamiliar, sake is an alcohol derived from rice and brewed similar to beer, but with an alcohol content usually in the 15-20% range. It can be a bit stiff if you’re not expecting it. As far as the beer choice, Kirin Ichiban is a Japanese Rice Lager with an alcohol by volume content of 5%. The 20 ounce is a much better deal per ounce than the smaller size, so consider purchasing the 20 ounce and splitting it if you’re looking for a smaller amount, rather than purchasing two smalls. Kirin Ichiban has a sweet, grainy taste that is fairly unremarkable. The Asahi Super Dry is very similar to the Kirin if they’re also serving that. I would strongly discourage the Kirin Light if it’s available.
If you’re up for it, I recommend the sake tasting flight at the sake bar in the Mitsukoshi Department Store. You’ll have the opportunity to try three different sakes for about $14 and it’s a more intimate, personalized experience. For those looking to spend less money or time, the sake or beer at the Kaki Gori kiosk is preferable.
Call me ignorant, but if you asked me if Morocco was “big on alcohol,” I would tell you “probably not.” However, for the sake of commercialism, Morocco comes through with a kiosk serving frozen concoctions similar to what you would find at Mexico’s promenade counter service. In other words, expect ice and sugar blended with a little bit of alcohol. Flavors include the Moroccarita (lemon-lime), Habibi Daiquiri (strawberry), and Sultan’s Colada (coconut and pineapple) for $7.99 each. There is also a sangria available for $6.99 that is more like a flavored wine rather than the Mexican-style chilled sangria you’ll find in the Mexico Pavilion. The kiosk and the Tangierine Café also serve Casablanca Beer ($5.95 for about 12 ounces), brewed by Brasseries Du Maroc and imported from Morocco. It’s another American Adjunct Lager with a 5% alcohol by volume and similar to Dos Equis, Budweiser, and others. It’s refreshing, but unmemorable. The Daiquiri is the best drink of the bunch, so look in that direction if you’re looking for a mixed drink.
The Tangierine Cafe also serves a variety of other mixed drinks and wines. Unfortunately, lines are long during peak meal times and it can be a hassle to line up and wait for your drink. However, near the back of the Cafe is a separate counter that serves spiked coffees. You may want to head here for one of these kinds of beverages spiked with orange, hazlenut, or vanilla liqueurs, especially if you need a little pep in your step by the time you reach Morocco.
France is a favorite Epcot drinking destination for wine enthusiasts and those that enjoy the frozen slushy style drinks. The kiosk in the France Pavilion serves a variety of wines and champagne by the glass ($6-$12), Kronenbourg 1644 beer (about 12 ounces for $6), and the extremely popular Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slush and Grand Mariner Orange Slush ($9 each). Although not particularly manly drinks, both slushes taste like liquid candy and I would recommend either if you’re looking for a nice cool beverage. Neither has a lot of alcohol in it, so don’t purchase one looking to get sloshed. For $15, you can also purchase a taste of “Nuvo Vodka,” which is purported to be the only sparkling vodka available on the market (and not to mention pink in color). If you’re looking for something a little different, it may be the best option. It is expensive though and a 750ml bottle would run you about $35 in a retail store.
Next to the entrance to Impressions de France is a wine bar that serves wine and champagne by the glass or in various “flights.” I would scout this spot out if you’re drinking wine because it offers a better variety and more personalized service, depending on how crowded it is. Unfortunately, it usually is pretty crowded because Impressions de France lets a couple hundred people out right next door every 15 minutes or so. If you’re in a hurry, the kiosk wine is decent.
Kronenbourg 1664 is a European Pale Lager brewed by Brasseries Kronenbourg in France. With an alcohol by volume content of 5.9%, it’s slightly more stumble-inducing than the 5% American Lagers that are so prevalent at Epcot. Despite the high alcohol content, it’s still a light tasting beer that should appeal to the masses. If you have the wallet for it I would recommend one of the slushes, but don’t expect to necessarily get your $10 worth.
Other than La Cava at the Mexico Pavilion, the United Kingdom features the only real “bar” in the form of the Rose and Crown Pub. The Rose and Crown has an extensive menu of alcoholic beverages, the favorite being the Welsh Dragon which is a mixture of peach schnapps, melon liqueur, crème de menthe, orange juice, and pineapple juice. You can view the entire Rose and Crown Pub Menu here: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/media/wdw_nextgen/CoreCatalog/WaltDisneyWorld/en_us/Media/InternetMediaType/Dining/RoseAndCrown/rose-and-crown-dining-room-menu-pub.pdf As you can see, they also serve a large variety of beer, single malt scotch, and wine. The Pub is usually crowded, but the bartenders are friendly and efficient and you should have your drink soon after you are able to elbow your way to the front.
Outside, the Yorkshire County Fish Shop counter service serves pints of Harp Lager and Bass Ale ($7.50 each). Harp Lager, brewed by Guinness, is a European Pale Lager with an alcohol by volume content of 5%. It’s a relatively light beer with a sweet, crisp flavor and a malty smell. Bass Ale is an English Pale Ale brewed by Bass Breweries Limited. Another above average beer, it bills itself as the “true” English Pale Ale and the majority of pubs in England use it in their Black and Tan. Bass is quite a bit more bitter than the Harp, but still easily drinkable with an alcohol by volume content of 5%. If you’re willing to cheat on your beer tour(blasphemy, I know), I would recommend ordering two beers at the United Kingdom and skipping Morocco.
There’s also a beer kiosk out on the promenade next to Rose and Crown that serves Harp Lager ($8 or in souvenir stein for $11.25), Guinness ($7.75 or in souvenir stein for $11), Stella Artois ($8 or in souvenir stein for $11.25), Strongbow Cider, and shots of Jameson ($8.75). If you know me well, you would know that Jameson is my favorite whiskey. But even so, $8.75 for 1.5 ounces is a little rough. Still, in the grand scheme of things it costs just as much as any of the other beverages.
Ah, the bittersweet end (or happy beginning if you decide to start here). Canada lacks a counter service location, so your choices are the full bar at the impossible-to-get-a-reservation-at Le Cellier or the kiosk outside in the Pavilion. Canada proudly serves Moosehead beer along with Labatt Blue and Molson. Occasionally you can also find Unibroue products like La Fin Du Monde and Maudite. Be sure to ask, because Unibroue is far superior to the macro brews, unless you prefer your beer watered down and relatively flavorless. Unfortunately, the Unibroue will also set you back a few extra dollars and it’s not always available. The Labatt, Molson, and Moosehead are all fairly similar, but I would recommend the Moosehead Lager. The kiosk also offers a “Torontopolitan ($8.25),” which is made with iceberg vodka, orange juice, chambord, and cranberry juice. It’s a refreshing drink that is usually heavier on the alcohol content than other countries. Le Cellier does offer a full range of alcoholic beverages, but there is no actual bar to sit at and enjoy a drink. A little further down you may also run into the “Refreshment Port,” which is similar to the “Refreshment Coolpost.” Here, you’ll find a frozen Barcardi Mojito ($8.25) that is similar to the frozen margaritas you’ll find elsewhere. It isn’t exactly “Canadian,” but by this time you may be too sloshed to care. If the Torontopolitan doesn’t sound good, seek out the Mojito or enjoy a Moosehead.
Roundup
Beer: For those that like their beers to have flavor and character, the best beers at Epcot are the brews in Germany, the Sam Adams in the United States, and the beers in England. If Canada is serving Unibroue then you can add that to the list as well. Of the lighter beers, the Carlsberg Beer in Norway is the best.
The Kronenbourg, Kirin Ichiban, Dos Equis, Tsingtao, and Birra Moretti are middle of the road beers and not expressly recommended by name. They’re all fine, but it’s unlikely you’ll be impressed. The Bud Light and Casablanca are the only two I would shy away from if given the choice, but only because there are better or more interesting options.
Mixed Drinks: By far, La Cava inside of the Mexico Pavilion and the Rose and Crown Pub serve the best drinks in Epcot outside of the sit-down restaurants. I also recommend the slushes in France and the frozen concoctions in Morocco if you enjoy sugary beverages that are light on the alcohol. You may not find a true mixed drink in Japan (beer and sake) or the United States (beer).
Wine: The best wines are found in Italy, France, and Germany. Most countries now serve wine at the various kiosks, but they’re of somewhat questionable quality in several of the Pavilions and traditional table wines aren’t really available in Canada, China, Japan, United States, and possibly others.
Some Final Tips
Be sure to consume a bottle or glass of water every two or three Pavilions. The heat, coupled with the alcohol, will dry even the wettest person out. You may also see people with custom made shirts that say something to the effect of them “drinking around the world” along with a list of countries on the back and a place for a signature of whoever is working at the kiosk or restaurant. While your author finds this sort of thing a bit tacky, you may want a souvenir from your experience (and you deserve one). I might suggest using the “passport” that’s available for purchase for about $10. It’s a real looking passport with pages, stickers, and stamps and the person working the alcohol will be happy to take a moment to say hello and sign their name in your book. Of course, you can also make your own and bring it along with you. Something like this might work also http://www.kidscraftsplus.com/c=eyKFCB5Z60ay7u522DeTvNZH6/product/E55-00/My-Passport-Book—1.html
As a cost saving measure and for the sake of endurance, you might consider sharing drinks at several of the countries. It’s easy to share, since all drinks are served in plastic cups. Most kiosks and counter service locations should be happy to provide an extra cup as well. You can always purchase a second (or third, fourth, etc.) drink if you particularly enjoy the first.
Good luck and try not to get kicked out.
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