“Drinks around the World” at Epcot is a popular, but unofficial activity that’s become almost a Rite of Passage among many who frequent the park.
The idea behind “Drinks Around the World” is to to visit each countries pavilion around World Showcase, and have at least one drink at each. It’s basically an International bar crawl around Epcot. Purists will try to have a drink or beer that’s at least kind of local or traditional to that country. So margaritas in Mexico, wine in Italy, and so fourth. You get the idea.
“Drinks around the World” is a big for locals and Disney Annal Pass holders who’ve been to Epcot so many times (raises hand!) that they don’t mind spending a day hopping from country to country with a drink in each hand instead of trying to cram in as many attractions as they can for the day. country, but to the purist Epcot World Traveler that might seem like cheating.
It’s something that’s especially popular during the Epcot Food & Wine Festivals because you can stop in for a smaller and more affordable drink at every country, and this is definitely going to be the cheapest way of doing it.
I’ve put together a list of the one drink or one beer you should try in each country, so whether your goal is cocktails or beers, you’re covered here either way. Just a couple of disclaimers here. This is something that I have tried, but didn’t actually complete. My brother-in-law and I once went in with the goal of completing “Beers around the World”, and we started in Canada, but after we made the fatal mistake of getting one of those ginormous 1-liter mugs in Germany we decided to surrender. So that’s tip number one. If you want to complete this challenge, pace yourself, because you need to make it around all 11 countries if you want to conquer this thing. You might also want to take a moment to grab a bite to eat every now and then. The best part of Epcot is all the food, and you’ll need some of that yummy food inside you to help you finish strong. “Drinks around the World” is a physical challenge!
So since I myself have tried and failed, I came up with this list based on drinks that are unique and best represent each country when possible, and where the price is more or less in line with everything else.
And of course the next thing you need to know, which pretty much goes without saying, is that this isn’t really a cheap activity. You’ll be paying those inflated Disney prices for drinks and beers, with the average beer costing around $10 and each cocktail averaging about $13.
If you’re going to stick only to the beers I list, you’ll be spending about $106 dollars.
But if you’re going for the mixed drinks and cocktails here, the challenge will set you back about $145.
And of course, this will be cheaper if you do this during Epcot Food & Wine Festival where you can get smaller sample portions, or you can always share these drinks with a fellow Epcot world traveller.
So let’s get started on our adventure to complete “Drinks around the World” at Epcot!
Mexico
We’re going to begin our journey in Mexico. This is just my own preference, you can start in Canada too, but Mexico is one of my favorite pavilions at Epcot, and it just feels like the right place to start.
In Mexico, you can’t go wrong by heading to the bear at Chozo de Margarita next to the big pyramid and ordering a classic margarita.
Top Shelf Clásica Margarita – $16.50
The Top Shelf Clásica margarita is made with tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, agave, and black salt on the rim.
This drink is $16.50, which is one of the more expensive drinks on the list. So I guess it might be a good idea to get that out of the way early.
And If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, the $17 dollar El Diablo Margarita is also a fan favorite.
This spicy margarita is made with Ambhar blanco tequila, ilegal mezcal, fresh lime juice, agave, cucumber-jalapeno juice, and a hibiscus salt rim.
For those sticking to beer, Mexico has a few options.
Cielito Lindo – $13.00
This is craft brewed Cream Ale that isn’t something you’d find very often elsewhere.
But for those of you who are purists to this kind of thing, this beer is brewed by the Alameda Beer Company in Chile, not Mexico.
If you insist on sticking only to stuff from each country, and I get that, they also have Dos Equis for $10.50. But I just tend to lean toward stuff from smaller breweries that can’t usually find.
Norway
Next door in Norway you can find a fan favorite cold, dessert drink, the Frozen Viking Coffee. Not sure how authentically “Norwegian” this is, but it sure is yummy.
Frozen Viking Coffee – $15
The Frozen Viking Coffee is made with Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur and Kamora Coffee Liqueur with Coffee-Chocolate Sauce and garnished with Coffee-Chocolate Crunch. Theres a hot variety available too but the cold version is better and more suited for hot Florida weather. It’s similar to a Starbucks Frapuccino, but with a little booze in it.
And for beers in Norway, I would go with the Einstök White Ale – $11.25
This White Ale features the complex flavors of the classic witbier, including orange peel and coriander – all brewed with pure Icelandic water that delivers a cool smoothness that is flavorful and refreshingly drinkable.
There is also Aass Pilsner & Porter available too (pronounced Ouse! So save yourself the embarrassment and don’t ass for the Ass Pilsner!) but it’s a fairly average lager and not quite as interesting as the White Ale. The Porter could be a good choice if you’re here in the cooler winter months when a heartier beer might hit the spot.
China
You won’t really find anything very authentically Chinese here as far as cocktails go while you do your “Drinks around the World” voyage at Epcot, but there are some tasty choices here.
Honey Hibiscus Hard Iced Tea – $12
This tasty & refreshing drink can be found at the Joy of Tea booth, and it’s made with Organic Tea, Light Rum, Honey and Blueberry Boba.
Beer drinkers around the world can find a pretty interesting one here in China too.
Dragon Blossom Draft – $9.25
This is a tasty pilsner brewed with Orange Blossom Honey and Green tea, and it’s perfect for hot Florida days. But that’s because this isn’t actually a Chinese beer. This beer is brewed right here in Orlando specifically for the China Pavilion by Orange Blossom Brewing, but I’m always going to recommend a more interesting local beer.
If you’re a purist though, China does have Tsing Tao Beer in bottles for $8.25.
Germany
I’m going to have the break my own rules here and instead of a cocktail and a beer, i’m going to recommend two beers. Because this IS Germany after all, and this really isn’t the best pavilion for drinks outside of beers.
Schöfferhofer Pink Grapefruit Hefeweizen – $10.75
This is the beer to have in Germany for those who have been sipping on cocktails so far, and might not be big beer drinkers. This unusually colored pink beer is easy to drink and refreshing with light notes of citrus and with almost no bitterness.
And for the more traditional beer drinkers who couldn’t wait to make their way to Germany, I would recommend trying the Dunkel.
Warsteiner Dunkel – $10.75
This classic German-style Dark Pilsner has a deep chestnut brown hue with a smooth, toasty malt flavor, and mocha aromas. It’s a bit richer than you typical German lager, but very tasty. You can also get a plastic souvenir stein here in Germany and fill it with any of their beers for $15.
Italy
Italy isn’t a great pavilion for either mixed drinks or beer, but it IS great for food and wine. There are Sangrias and Italian Margaritas here, but since i’m trying to pick stuff that best represents each country, here we need to go with wine.
You can get a class of Italian Pino, Prosecco or Chianti here for $10.50.
Or if you can’t make up your mind, you can try a wine flight at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar for $17.
The beer selection is pretty limited here, since Italy is really thought of more of a wine country, but you can at least find one if you’re sticking to beer.
Peroni Draft – $9.50
Peroni is your typical, green bottle light lager that tastes similar to Heineken or Stella Artois.
American Adventure
For your American cocktail, you’ll want to go inside the Regal Eagle Smokehouse and look for this Epcot classic.
Tennessee Lemonade – $15.50
This fan favorite is made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, and Minute Maid® Premium Lemonade and Peach.
Beer is going to be wild card at this pavillion. American Adventure has one of the best beer selections in Epcot, so I’d just say get whatever you feel like here. But I’d recommend one their local Florida craft beers here.
3 Daughters Brewing Beach Blonde Ale – $11.25
St. Petersburg, FL
Orlando Brewing Blonde Ale – $11.25
Orlando, FL
Cigar City Jai Alai IPA – $11.25
Tampa, FL
You’ll also find Yuengling, Samuel Adams, Blue Moon, and good old Bud Light here too.
Japan
Japan is one of my favorites, and offers a chance to try some interesting stuff. For those sticking to cocktails and mixed drinks around the world, don’t miss the chance to try Japan’s Sake Mist, which is basically like an adult snow-cone, and it’s fun to take a picture of it with all that cool Japanese architecture behind it for your Instagram.
Sake Mist – $10.00
Sake infused shaved Ice is available in Orange, Coconut Pineapple and Blackberry.
And for you out there sticking to Beers around the World at Epcot, you won’t want to miss the chance to try the most unique beer at Epcot, the Kirin Frozen.
Kirin Frozen – $9.25
This is a very popular beer that’s sort of like a beer slushy, but with a soft creamy texture and is very interesting looking. This is a popular beer in Japan, but this the ONLY place in the Contintental United States you can find the Kirin Frozen. The only other place you can find it in this country is over in Hawaii, and that’s a really long flight just try a beer.
Morocco
Morocco may be one of the most authentic and coolest looking pavilions, that’s one of the best for exploring and eating, but in my opinion is the weakest of the countries for imbibing. But this is Drinks around the World, and if you’re a true completionist, you’ll need to check this one off the list!
In Morocco, you’ll have two choices and it really comes down to if you like fruity or minty. So I’ll leave this one up to you.
Frozen Mint Tea with Bombay Sapphire Gin – $15.50
Frozen Citrus Pomegranate Slushy with Absolut Mandarin Vodka – $16.50
The beer selection at Morocco can be a bit limited as well, with the only real option here being the Casablanca Lager.
Casablanca Lager – $10.25
This is fairly standard lager, but it does have the benefit of being authentically brewed in Morocco. Availability can be hit or miss though, as it’s my understanding there is occasional supply chain issues with this one.
France
France is another pavilion, like Italy, where wine or even champagne might be the appropriate choice, but they do offer one very fun & flavorful concoction here.
Orange Slush – $14.50
The Orange Slush is made with French Grand Marnier, Rum, Grey Goose Orange and Orange Juice.
France doesn’t really have much of a beer culture, but there is at least one authentic French beer you can get here at this pavilion. And since we’re trying to check them all of the list while we complete “Drinks around the World” at Epcot, this is one you might not see on draft at many other places so it’s fairly unique.
Kronenbourg 1664 – $9.00
This is your standard light European style lager that’s very similar in taste to the Peroni from Italy that was mentioned above.
United Kingdom
Ok, here we go. This is the place you’ve been training for! The United Kingdom is a highlight of Epcot’s “Drinks around the World” challenge because it has a huge selection of creative cocktails and beers, and because the Rose & Crown Pub here is awesome.
You could just look at the menu and decide what you’re feeling at that moment, but if it’s authenticity you’re after you might want to try a Pimm’s Cup here at the United Kingdom pavilion.
Pimm’s Cup – $11.00
The Pimm’s Cup is the quintessential British cocktail that’s traditionally served up for the crowds at Wimbledon. (Kind of like how Mint Julep’s are a thing at the Kentucky Derby.) It’s made with Pimm’s No 1, a ginlike liqueur that’s a staple in England, Sprite, and fruit.
Just like the American Adventure pavilion, the UK pavilion has a nice selection of English & Irish beers. You can get either Harp or Smithwicks on draft at the beer cart, but the best move here is to go inside the Rose & Crown and check out the big selection of beers on draft, or try something from their menu of pub blends. The Snake Bite Imperial Pint, a 50/50 blend of cider and Harp Lager is a crowd pleaser!
Harp Lager – $11.25
Smithwicks Irish Red Ale – $11.25
Snake Bite Imperial Pint – $10.50
Canada
Finally, we’ve reached Canada. Or maybe you began here with the goal of reaching Mexico? Either way, Canada has one of the tastiest drinks you’ll enjoy anywhere along Epcot’s World Showcase, and this is a great one to finish off “Drinks around the World” on a high note.
Ottawa Apple – $14.00
The Ottawa Apple is another tasty fan favorite . This concoction of Crown Royal Canadian Whisky, Maple Syrup, Apple Infusion and Cranberry Juice might be full of ingredients that are very Canadian, but it’s also perfect for hot Orlando afternoon.
Canada has a strong beer culture too, but surprisingly the choices here are fairly limited. But they do have one of Canada’s standouts available to try; La Fin du Monde.
La Fin du Monde – $11.25
This tripel-style golden ale has a mildly hoppy palate with notes of grains, fruit and spice, followed by a smooth, dry finish. A perfect balance of sugar, acidity, bitterness, spices and alcohol. It’s smooth and sweet, and unlike anything else on this beer trail around the world.
