The Crafty Traveler

Drinking around the world – at the end of the day that could be the name of this blog. Traveling the world and discovering its people, places, and culture one sip at a time. For the past 20 years I have been traveling like this. I still maintain it’s the best way to experience a new place. Sharing a drink or a meal creates a universal language that unites us all and can provide tremendous insight into how others see the world.  

Typically, I experience these places one destination at a time. Book the flight. Do the research. Live the dream. I have no complaints about this kind of travel, but it isn’t the most efficient way to work through the travel bucket list. What if I told you there is a place that allows you to travel to 11 countries all at once? How would that be possible? Well, that involves a bit of magic…

Don’t worry, this blog is not about to turn into one of the other million Disney blogs scattered across the internet. Food blogs are already a saturated space – I’m not trying to get lost in that void as well. That said, I am a Disney fan. No, I don’t rock Mickey ears in my free time, but I have found myself in Orlando more than a few times. I will let you guess what my favorite activity is when I get there…

EPCOT doesn’t get the love that the other parks get, but it is my favorite. Yes, that is because of the World Showcase. Eleven immersive experiences side by side, transporting you to one place after the other. Each country provides an authentic experience of that place, and this includes the drinks and food they serve (although some are more authentic than others). This is where I come in.

This isn’t the first “Drinking around the world” guide you will find on the internet, but it is the only one you need. Proof that Disney World can be an adult playground too.

Mexico: Crystal Inferno from La Cava del Tequila

If you are reading a guide that tells you to start at Canada, delete that tab immediately. Mexico is a non-negotiable starting point. That is because the best bar of your entire journey can be found here, and it deserves your fresh palate. La Cava del Tequila is no secret at this point, but it can be tricky to find if you are not seeking it out. Walk into the building, go down the ramp, and look to your right. There will likely be a line of people waiting for a margarita, and this is one Disney line I endorse. A lot of others will recommend their margaritas, and I am not mad if that is your choice (the much talked about avocado margarita is admittedly delicious), but the best drink here is the less ordered Crystal Inferno. A mezcal-forward cocktail with a hit of citrus, a hit of spice, but mostly spirit (and finding a spirit forward drink after this is a challenge). The kind of cocktail you don’t expect at a theme park, and the perfect start for the ten more drinks ahead of you…

Norway: Farmhouse Ale from Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe

The “best” beverage is always subjective. For me, the quality of the beverage does come first, but I want there to be some sense of authenticity behind it as well. The issue in some countries is that the best tasting drink often has no sense of the place it is served from. I think it needs to check both boxes to some extent. Norway is an example of this. Many people will say the Viking Coffee is the best drink here, but there is nothing Norwegian about it. This is coffee mixed with an Irish cream and a coffee liquor from Mexico. I don’t get it. Give me the Farmhouse ale that is at least brewed in Norway. A bit of juniper makes it an enjoyable brew, if not the best drink on your journey.

China: Dragon Butterfly from Joy of Tea

Here we go again with this taste vs authenticity issue. China provides a bit of a dilemma here. If we are truly prioritizing authenticity there is really only one option here – you need to go get some plum wine from the Lotus Blossom Café. The problem is it doesn’t taste very good. So where do I send you? If you’re all in and you’ve never had some plum wine just go for the full experience (and drink it as fast as possible). For most people, you will likely enjoy the Dragon Butterfly drink more from the Joy of Tea stand. Is it Chinese? No. It does have green tea in it, which is the only reason I can allow myself to put it on the list (and at least that’s better than the bourbon-based Tipsy Ducks in Love that others recommend). Enjoy the refreshing cocktail and know more authentic experiences are ahead.  

Germany: Erdinger Dunkel from Weinkeller

Here is where we flip the script on the authenticity issue. Options abound for your German beverage experience, and I support all of them. The key to this pavilion is to know where to go. You can certainly grab a beer from the stands outside, but I recommend finding the tucked away wine bar that many do not know about. Walk halfway in, take a left, and go through the Christmas store to find the Weinkeller. Here you will find a variety of German wine, beer, and spirits. I love the Erdinger Dunkel as a great example of a classic dunkel, but if a glass of wine sounds appealing, they have several options. In the mood for a spirit? Grab a pour of the Schonauer Apfel Liqueur. Don’t think 11 beverages will be enough for you? Try all three.

Italy: Limoncello from Tutto Gusto

You have to be careful in Italy, because this pavilion will throw some options at you that you think you will want. Italian Margaritas at Gelateria Toscana (but this isn’t the country for margaritas). Frozen Sangria Swirls at Pizza Taglio (but this isn’t a Fat Tuesday). Ultimately, I like to keep it simple here. Head to the Tutto Gusto wine bar at the front and order a short pour of limoncello. It’s not fancy, but you’ve had a lot to drink, and you have a lot more to come. You will thank me for the digestif later.

USA: Beer flight from Block and Hans

This is my least favorite pavilion in Epcot and the one I get through as fast as possible. Maybe because I live in America there isn’t much of a novelty factor here, but it is also the pavilion that feels most like an afterthought. Not very immersive and not much to it, and the drink options represent that. Since craft beer is one of America’s specialties (and I’ve had my fair share of said craft beer) I think this is the way here. Block and Hans will typically have a handful of different beers on tap, and they will serve them in a flight of 4. Pick your favorite 4 (and maybe soak them up with some pretzel bites on the side) and move along to bigger and better pavilions.

Japan: Sake Shaved Ice from Kabuki Café

Perhaps the most surprising entry on this list, shaved ice with sake checks a lot of boxes for me. First – it’s fun, and what are we here for? But it combines the taste and authenticity elements in a great way. You could certainly get straight nigori sake from here and I wouldn’t be mad at you. You may want to order the Frozen Kirin, but that doesn’t have nearly the flavor needed to match the flair. Kakigori (shaved ice) is a very real thing in Japan and so is sake, how often do you get to combine them? YOLO.

Morocco: Iced Mint Tea from Spice Road Table

So many people quickly pass through the Morocco pavilion which is a mistake. Not only is this one of the most immersive pavilions in the park (you really should just walk all the way through the back) it provides my second favorite cocktail of your day. As you approach this country, you will see the Spice Road Table restaurant next to the water. While this is a sit-down restaurant, many people don’t know there is a walk-up bar there as well. Go in and head to the right to order an Iced Mint Tea. Think it isn’t authentic? Think again. Mint tea is a staple in Morocco. While this typically is much more of a process to make, this gin-based version is still delicious and a great nod to the tradition. If you need an alternative option, check out the other lesser-known option Sangria Souk in the back (again-wander through here).

France: Orange Slush at Les Vins des Chefs de France

This one was a debate for me. A lot of it is going to be how you are feeling when you get to this point. Feeling like a champ? Go for it with an Ice Cream Martini from L’Artisan des Glaces (dairy just feels risky right now). Wanna keep it classic? Grab a glass of champagne from Les Halles (you should swing by here either way for a pastry). I like the middle ground of an orange slush from Les Vins des Chefs de France (stand by the water). While this doesn’t sound French, Grey Goose and Grand Marnier say otherwise. Yes, this is ultimately a boozy slushie, but it just feels more sophisticated than that.

Canada: Ottawa Apple from Maple Popcorn Cart

For you hardcore Disney people out there, no this isn’t a typo. I know I skipped a country – but this is on purpose. Yes, the next pavilion you will encounter in England, but that needs to be your grand finale (I will explain in a minute). Get your steps in and walk past England to grab a quick drink at Canada. I love my northern neighbors, but the best beverage here doesn’t come with a lot of ambiance. That said, you can still find quite a delicious and authentic cocktail here. Line up at the small but mighty popcorn cart in front and order the Ottawa Apple – a fitting blend of Crown Royal, maple syrup, and more that reps Canada well. Sip it on your reverse stroll back towards your grand finale.

England: Whatever you want from Rose & Crown Pub

I am all in on the pub culture. Having experienced it here as well as here, the social dynamics of a well-established pub are hard to top. The Rose & Crown does an exceptional job of bringing that vibe to the back of a theme park. Relaxed yet also rowdy, chaotic but somehow cozy, a pint here just works. Order whatever feels right (but a proper pint of Guinness is always my way) and enjoy your accomplishments of drinking around the world in a day (with far fewer plane tickets).

At the end of the day, “drinking around the world” isn’t about checking off cocktails on a list – it’s about experiencing little moments of culture without ever leaving one place. Sure, Disney isn’t Mexico, Morocco, or Japan, but it’s a surprisingly fun reminder that every drink has a story, every country has traditions worth exploring, and the best travel memories often start with what’s in your glass. Grab a group, buy a ticket, and let me know when you’re walking in – I will meet you at La Cava del Tequila.