Drink Around the World Epcot 2024
In December we traveled the world in one day… at Epcot. We went to Florida for the holidays to enjoy some chilly weather and build snowmen. Correction: to enjoy warm 70-degree weather and only have ice in our drinks (not on the streets). And drinks there were.
We did Epcot the best way we knew possible: by drinking our way through each country.
If you’ve never been to Epcot, then you should know there are 11 mini-countries set up around a large lake. Each little country is built to look exactly like the real one. In France you’ll see the Eiffel Tower, in Germany you’ll find Biergartens, and in Japan, you’ll find koi ponds. The architecture, landscape, things to do, restaurants, and shops look exactly like those in the actual countries. It’s fascinating!
We got to visit Epcot with my parents who joined in on the fun. Epcot is one of Disney’s many parks in Orlando, Florida. It is pricey to get admission to the park however well worth it once you experience it. Disney is the best at keeping their grounds clean, maintaining peace and organization, and providing one-of-a-kind experiences.
When you first enter the park, you can go to the left or the right to start the circle around the lake to each country. Since most people choose right, we chose left to avoid the crowds.
Today we want to walk you through our experience there as we drank our way through Epcot. And yes, it was freakin’ amazing.
Epcot Mexico Pavillion
The first country we came to was Mexico. PS- one of our favorites! Go inside the main building to be transported to the city streets of Mexico’s nightlife! There are stands with shopping goods, tequila bars for tastings (La Cava del Tequila), and a restaurant under the stars. On a past trip, we did the tequila tastings and absolutely loved it (if we remember correctly). Moving onto the alcohol… Bob is a beer lover he ordered a Pacifico, obviously. Dad joined along and we ladies did some people-watching. It’s amazing how many different languages you hear in a Disney Park! People come from all around the world to visit here. How ironic, right?
If you’re brave enough to take your chances with the pre-mixed drinks outside the Mexico Pavilion, that’s fine. But if you want something that won’t give you indigestion halfway through the World Showcase, look no further than La Cava Del Tequila! Here, you can quench your thirst with delicious margaritas like the Blood Orange Margarita, Avocado Margarita, and Jalapeno Margarita – and have them made just the way you like it. Plus, show your server that you follow @CavaDelTequila on Twitter, and you’ll get an extra special offer too! So instead of rolling the dice with those mysterious pre-mixed drinks, just head to La Cava Del Tequila and get yourself something worth drinking. Your taste buds (and stomach!) will thank you!
Epcot Norway Pavillion
The next country was Norway which they have pretty much converted into the home of “Frozen.” Meaning there were lots of kids running around in princess dresses, causing us to drink more. We grabbed a casual Zinfandel wine and a Carlsberg beer at the bakery (Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe) and the guys had some yummy sandwiches too! Moving on quickly…away from the kids.
Carlsberg beer – it’s like the second-fiddle of beers. Sure, it may not actually be from Norway, but hey, at least when you take a sip you know that it’ll fit right in with the Frozen attraction at Disney World!
What could be a better way to satisfy your thirst? Well, perhaps you should avoid any shots of aquavit the bartender offers. Unless you’re into shots that taste like fire and dill pickles mixed into one. Who would ever have thought that potato alcohol could be so… potent?
Epcot China Pavillion
Hello China! Immediately we were drawn like magnets to the Joy of Tea post by the water for some yummy-smelling egg rolls and frozen adult beverages (sounds less risque when worded that way). Alright alright, we got some really amazing and unique drinks here. Probably our favorite from our entire trip around the world that day. Mama got “Tipsy Ducks in love” and Josie got a “peach snap” and both were amazing. Bob got a Tsing Tao. Don’t miss this stand people! After that, we strolled through the shops to see panda after panda after panda. Before flying to the next country.
Forget the dullness of regular tea and step into an outrageous cocktail concoction at the Mango Gingerita, Canto Loopy, Peach Snap, or Green Tea Plum Slush stand. They’ve got everything from Tsing Tao on draft to Plum Wine… and don’t worry if you’re not a fan of the latter: I’m sure you’ll find something here that’ll suit your fancy. But take it from me – whatever you do, don’t miss out on this place. Trust me, it’s way better than anything you’ve ever had before!
Epcot Germany Pavillion
Josie and her family are part German so it was exciting to get a sneak peek of what Germany looks like. According to her Ancestry, her family is from central Germany so that is definitely on our bucket list of places to go. It was here that we got a big meal. We made reservations at the Biergarten Restaurant which is buffet-style. It really felt like we were sitting in Germany underneath the stars and the moon!
They had lots of yummy meat dishes to indulge in, including desserts. Most importantly they offered beer flights. Score! The guys were in heaven tasting beers straight from Germany while we were transported into Oktoberfest! Their favorite was the seasonal Pink Grapefruit Hefeweizen. The atmosphere within the restaurant was lively with live bands and performers entertaining us. It was a fun experience! Plus, don’t forget to get a big pretzel at the food stand outside!
If you want to enjoy a nice cold beer in Germany without spending hours waiting in line, then you’re going to need a plan of attack. Fortunately, I’ve got the perfect strategy for beating the crowds here: Just head away from the entrance and straight into the depths of the Pavilion! There, you’ll find all sorts of delicious brews including Spaten, Altenmunster Oktoberfest, Lowenbrau, Radeberger (which are totally easy to pronounce, by the way)… and others that frankly defy explanation. So don’t waste time at the front – beat the crowd and go deep into Germany’s beer-filled wonderland!
Epcot Italy Pavillion
Next up was Italy. We went to Italy on our honeymoon because we saved on our wedding and splurged on our honeymoon. So to see Epcot’s version was impressive. It truly looked just like Venice! We didn’t get any food here, but Birra Moretti was consumed, of course. They have a wine cellar here if you want to do some wine tastings too.
You’ve survived almost HALF the journey, so you now deserve a well-deserved break from all the walking. Head in and snag yourself an icy cold Moretti La Rossa! Not only is it malty and full of nutty flavor, but you can also treat yourself to some delicious pizza if you’re feeling extra hungry.
But why stop there? If you just can’t get enough of this amazing Italian beer, venture outside and find it sold in Tutto Gusto, the Italian beer cellar. Here you can sample some interesting beer flights or, if that’s too much for your taste buds, head to the kiosks for some margaritas (totally not recommended), wines, or even dessert wines. Put together, these drinks make up the perfect non-beer experience in Italy. And don’t worry – beer will still be here when you return!
Epcot America Pavillion
America was next and we were underwhelmed. Didn’t spend much time here because, hello, we get enough of America 24/7. And Bob has tried most American beers anyway. But we did listen to some amazing singers singing Christmas songs. It was magical! Onto the next one.
After what felt like an eternity of boring, lifeless sips in the American Adventure pavilion, outcomes Regal Eagle Smokehouse & Craft Drafts with a magical walk-up drink window. It’s literally like they waved an enchanted flag and said, “Let there be cold brews!”
Never before has such happiness been seen around the pavilion. Cigar City Jai Alai IPA, Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Hard Cider, Bell’s Oberon, Tennessee Lemonade – we can’t even begin to list all the amazingness that pours from this wonderous spot. Plus – get ready for the surprise of the decade – Block & Hans is also on deck, filling our cups with beloved Bell’s brews! Life just got sweeter, didn’t it? So, here’s to you, America! Pour something up and raise your glass – finally, craft beer dreams do come true!
Epcot Japan Pavillion
Japan may have been an accident. Why? One word- sake. We stopped at the Kabuki cafe for some Ginga Kogen beer frozen drinks…and sake. Woah was it strong! It wasn’t easy to take down. But Bob took one for the team and finished it. What a guy.
You could go with the plum wine, which is like a fruity surprise that packs a punch. Or how about a glass of hot or cold sake? Both delicious and slightly dangerous (if you have too many). But if you really want to push the boundaries of your palate, try the Kirin Ichiban beer – smooth as silk!
Now, whatever you do, don’t get the Frozen Ichiban beer. It may sound tempting with its novel concept, but trust me – it’s just an unpleasant drink best avoided. Instead, treat yourself to some hot sake – it’ll put a nice warm feeling in your belly and ensure a pleasant evening.
Epcot Morocco Pavillion
We stumbled, I mean walked over to Morocco next where the Cafe served us some Moroccan beer. That was a first! Almaza actually ended up being one of Bob’s favorites. Don’t miss out on walking around the narrow walkways and shopping! Never been to Morocco but we can imagine it feels just like this. The building of the site was sponsored by the Moroccan Government, which is one major reason it’s known for being so authentic and stunning.
Quite frankly, Morocco isn’t the best place for a boozy adventure – unless you’ve got an affinity for canned SPAM, of course! And while Casa Beer might sound like it promises a taste of Morocco, it’s about as mild and non-descript as a beer can get. But if your alcohol tolerance is high enough and you just gotta drink something from this country (ha!), their mixed drinks and sangria are worthwhile options, particularly the Sultan.
And if caffeine is more your speed, then try out the Tangierine Café, where they have coffee that’s been generously infused with… well, liquor. That’s right; they don’t play games in Morroco! So if you’re looking for a late afternoon pick-me-up, head on over to the Café.
Epcot France Pavillion
Onward bound to France. First off, don’t miss the show out front of the men climbing stacked-up chairs. It was incredible! While we watched that, Mom was off to get ice cream and Bob was off to get, you guessed it, Kronenbourg 1664. Be sure to admire the Eiffel Tower before you travel to the next country!
Epcot France Pavilion is the perfect place to expand your taste buds and empty your wallet in equal measure. The Grand Marnier & Grey Goose Orange Slush and the Grey Goose Citron Lemonade Slush may be a bit on the pricey side, but oh boy are they worth it! Just one sip of these heavenly concoctions and you’ll be ready to close up shop and call it a day. Sure they don’t have much in the way of alcohol content, but they’re still pretty darn tasty. Skip out on the beers here though – unless you’re hopelessly devoted to mediocrity, you’ll want to steer clear from this one lackluster lager.
Epcot UK Pavillion
We were welcomed to the UK by some rock music and loved it! Then we stopped in at the Rose & Crown pub for some Guinness but of course. Can’t wait to visit the Guinness factory someday and learn how to pour it.
Home to some of the most delicious beer blends, this is the perfect spot to kick back and relax after a long day of exploring. Take your pick between three undeniably tasty blends: the Bumblebee (Boddingtons and Guinness), Black and Tan (Bass and Guinness), and the Golden Fox (Boddingtons and Bass). Or, if you can’t decide, why not do a tasting flight and get all three? Better yet, what about a drinking relay – the first person drinks their pint, then passes it on to the next person. It doesn’t get much more fun than that!
Epcot Canada Pavillion
Lastly, we stopped by Canada. To be honest, we weren’t too impressed by Canada (or maybe we were exhausted from a full day of drinking) so we sped through it to get back to the front of the park and take our butts home. They had one drink stand with a few different options, including Moosehead Lager, eh?
Canada is now serving some Unibroue brews at a kiosk! La Fin Du Monde is especially tasty – it’s a 99-rated Abbey Tripel that puts Germany’s best beer to shame. You might be wondering why you’d pay $11 for a beer… well, lucky for us, you can get it for about the same price outside! The Trois Pistoles is also great – it’s definitely the second best in World Showcase. But don’t even think about having a Moosehead or Labatt, or even (gulp) a Torontopolitan. Those are far too embarrassing to even consider! So raise your glass and cheer with us – Canada’s beer is the best in Disney World!
Final Word
It was a long day. However, enjoying and partaking in the culture of each country was such a treat! Visiting Epcot teaches you a lot about other countries and opens your eyes to the diversity we have in this beautiful world.
If you ever get the chance to visit Epcot, be sure to start your day early because there is so much to see and do. We spent the whole day there and we didn’t even go on any rides! If you go on rides, you’ll be waiting in lines for hours so you may need two days here. Regardless, make Epcot a must-do whenever you’re in Orlando. If you want to go on rides, be sure to download the app to get notifications on fast passes!