A Margarita oasis has opened up in the Animal Kingdom. You'll find this stand of frozen concoctions near Flights of Wonder.

Specialty Margaritas 
Kali River Mango Margarita - $8.75
Sauza Gold tequila, lime juice and mango puree.

Maharaja Lime Margarita - $8.75
Sauza Gold tequila, triple sec, agave nectar and lime juice.

Bali Hai Strawberry Margarita - $8.75
Sauza Gold tequila, lime juice and strawberry puree.

Triple Yeti Blast - $8.75
A layer of all 3 Margaritas.

Beer
Kingfisher Premium Lager - $6.75
Bud Light - $5.75

Pour Quality 
Average

Food 
Pretzel & cheese dip, chips.

Atmosphere 
Walk up counter-service. Take your margarita and relax at the seating areas with a view of the water right across from the stand or go wander the lesser explored areas and animal paths. 

Review 
On our first excursion to this new stand, we ordered the Maharaja Lime (left) and Kali River Mango (right). After first sip, while tasty, we were immediately skeptical. Is this just another wildly expensive weak margarita? As we continued our journey we found the mild alcohol flavor was misleading. After a few minutes the side of the cup had a thick layer of rapidly accumulating frost. That means we've got a drink chilled quite a bit below 32 degrees on our hands. There's only one way to get water and ice colder than 32 degrees, by adding a bunch of salt or alcohol . . . and these things don't taste salty.

The Maharaja Lime is essentially just like your typical margarita but a little more sweet and a little less tart. The Kali River Mango is for someone who really loves mango - as you taste nothing but the sweet orange melon in this cocktail. If you are a fan of the Fiesta margarita in Mexico at Epcot, you'll love the Triple Yeti Blast - a combo of all three flavors! While these refreshing slushies are not as unique as the margaritas served at the Dawa Bar (we recommend you make the trip there if you can), these are a pretty good alternative that will satisfy on one of those "Animal Kingdom Hot" days. (Example Usage: Whew! it's "Animal Kingdom Hot" out here today!" Feel free to add it to your lexicon.)
 


Updated 11/12

Click here for Rainforest Cafe Drink Recipes

Right outside the entrance gates to Animal Kingdom you'll find a Rainforest Cafe restaurant. There is also a Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney in the Marketplace section. This post will cover both since offerings are the same. Look out, we've heard it's "A Wild Place to Shop & Eat". Between the yelling monkeys and the thunderstorms, this is a very unique yet loud place to stop for a bite or a drink.

Souvenir Drinks
Firefly Pomegranate Tea - Firefly Sweet Tea vodka with pomegranate schnapps, fresh squeezed lemon juice and brewed iced tea.

Firefly Sweet Tea - Firefly Sweet Tea vodka with fresh squeezed lemon juice and brewed iced tea.

Firefly Peach Tea - Firefly Sweet Tea vodka with a touch of peach schnapps, fresh squeezed lemon juice and brewed iced tea.

Pink Parrot Lemonade - Skyy Infusions Citrus vodka, with X-Rated Fusion liqueur, pomegranate syrup, sweet & sour and topped with Sprite.

Tropical Toucan - Malibu Coconut rum and 99 Bananas liqueur mixed with orange and pineapple juices and a splash of grenadine served over ice.

Monkey Business - You'll go crazy over this drink! A mango daiquiri with Bacardi light rum and wild berry flavors.

Panama Punch - A cool drink with Bacardi 151, Myers's Original Dark rum, peach schnapps and 99 Bananas liqueur. Accented with creme de cassis and orange & pineapple juices.

Caribbean Cooler - Bacardi Light rum mixed with banana, strawberry and mango flavors.

Rainbow Colada - A chilling combination of Captain Morgan Original Spiced rum, strawberries and bananas, pina colada mix and pineapple juice blended together.

Island Daiquiri - Bacardi light rum with a choice of strawberry, pina colada, mango, raspberry, wildberry or banan flavors.

Mongoose Mai Tai - Snakes beware! This version of the famous Mai Tai attacks with Malibu Coconut rum, and Myers's Original Dark rum, creme de almond, orange and pineapple juices.

Green Python - Putting the squeeze on you, this one constricts with Skyy Citrus vodka, Midori Melon liqueur, Malibu Coconut rum, 99 Bananas liqueur, sweet & sour and pineapple juice.

Cheetah Rita - Our premium margarita mixed up "fast & furiously" with Jose Cuervo Gold tequila, Patron Citronge and lime juice.

Beer
Budweiser, Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite, LandShark Lager, Sam Adams Boston Lager, Corona, Corona Light, Modelo Especial, Stella Artois, Heineken, Guinness

Pour Quality 
Just Ok

Food 
They've got a little bit of everything here to satisy everyone, from burgers to salads to steaks. Our long-time favorite is Bamba's Bar-B-Que Wrap. If it's too long of a wait to get a table, you can order food at the bar as well.

Atmosphere 
A crazy mad-house of a rainforest - but in a fun way. Monkeys, elephants, live aquariums and more all in a lush tropical environment. Not a place to have a conversation, just have fun with the experience. Given the rather dark environment of the restaurant, our camera just can't do it justice, so we won't be including any interior shots at this time. To learn more about the restaurant and view the full menu, visit RainforestCafe.com.

Review 
They have a decent list of some unique and refreshing cocktails here. They are slightly more expensive than your typical specialty drink inside a theme park. If the drink says it comes in a souvenir glass, ask for it without and you'll save yourself a couple bucks. It is a full-service bar, so you can order nearly any drink of your liking.

Firefly Pomegranate Tea (left) is a great twist on a southern favorite. If it wasn't for the elephant roaring, you could picture yourself sipping it on a porch in the summer. Nevertheless, this slightly sweet, thirst-quenching drink does just that - almost too well because it's gone before you know it. And at around $10 a pop, it's hard to justify getting more than one. A worthy splurge for one.

Pink Parrot Lemonade (right) is a similarly refreshing cocktail for a hot Florida afternoon with flavors of orange, mango and passion fruit topped off with lemonade. Again, recommended for a splurge.

If you are more of a fan of sour, melon & banana flavored drinks, try the Green Python. A refreshing, citrusy-sour punch that wakes up your tastebuds. But don't worry, it's not so sour that it's undrinkable.

Click here for Dawa Bar Drink Recipes

Like an oasis in the middle of the Sahara, here sits the Dawa Bar waiting to quench your thirst. Whether you just made the long hike into the park, or are ready for the long trek out, or just want to sit down & relax, this is a great spot to stop. This full-liquor bar is located right next to the Tusker House Restaurant.

Specialty Cocktails

African Margarita - $8.75
Sauza Gold Tequila, Van der Hum Tangerine liqueur from South Africa, sweet & sour and lime juice.

Lost on Safari - $7.75
Captain Morgan Original Spiced rum, Bacardi Superior rum and our refreshing Pangani Punch.

Dawa Colada - $7.75
Bacardi Razz rum blended with Pina Colada mix and raspberry puree.

Sugar Cane Mojito - $9.75
Starr African rum and Sugar Cane Syrup mixed with fresh mint, lime and a splash of soda.

Harambe Cooler*
Starr African rum and Myers's Original Dark rum mixed with our Pangani Punch.
*Not posted on the menu anymore, but still available if you ask.

Draft Beer
Safari Amber - $6.50
Bud Light - $5.75
Michelob Ultra - $6.50

Photo from 2011Bottled Beer 
Yuengling - $7.25
Blue Moon - $7.25

African Bottled Beer - $7.25
Tusker Lager
St. George Lager
Harar Lager
Hakim Stout
Casa Lager

White Wine
Beyond Sauvignon Blanc - $9
Sebeka Sauvignon Blanc - $8
Brampton Chardonnay - $9

Red Wine
Glen Carlou - $10
Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon - $8
Cape Indaba Shiraz - $8
Zambra Sangria - $7.50

Pour Quality 
Average

Food 
None

Atmosphere 
An outdoor bar with enough bamboo trimmed faux adobe to make you think you just pulled of the side of the road while on safari. The bar and the ample seating area of tables and chairs is covered, and happens to be on the Jingle Jungle parade route. You'll find a few bar stools right at the bar if you're so inclined to swap jungle stories with the bartender.

Review 
Did you know that Safari Amber is specially brewed just for Disney? And did you also know this exact same beer is served by several other Anheuser-Busch retailers who also say it's specially brewed for them? Good catch by Kathleen, this is that same red amber beer AB tells just about everyone to claim as their very own micro-brew including Darden (Olive Garden, Red Lobster etc) and most recently Harry Potter at IOA. It's also always quoted as exclusively available at Animal Kingdom & the AK Lodge, but you can actually find it sold as this Safari Amber at the Refreshment Outpost in the Africa section of World Showcase in Epcot as well. Safari Amber is a medium-bodied lager with a sweet taste that is rounded out with a hoppy/bitter finish. The aficionado will claim it's too boring and the Bud Light folks will think it's too weird but if you're a middle of the road type 'o guy, as I sometimes think I am, you'll agree this goes down pretty nice on a hot day. (Pictured below)

Ever have a Tusker Lager? It's considered a hard-to-find beer, but you're in luck! The flavor is a simple crisp, clean and easy to drink beer. No strong hoppy flavors or overly roasted malt notes but it's a good light beer. Need a dumb fact while you enjoy your authentic beer? Tusker's slogan "Bia Yangu, Nchi Yangu" means "My Beer, My Country" in Swahili. Not obscure enough for you?  No problem. Get this, one of the beer's founders, George Hurst, was killed by a rogue elephant while on a hunting expedition.



African Margarita
The African Margarita (left) is one of the best margaritas on Disney property. The tangerine liqueur gives it a unique flavor profile with the slightly sweet tangerine mixing with the tart lime juice and sweet & sour. Not your everyday margarita. If you think regular margaritas are too sour, you'd like this one. You know how some drinks just taste expensively delicious at first sip? Yup, this is one of them. A drink worthy of the $8 price tag, and there aren't many.
Lost On Safari
Lost On Safari (right) held it's own next to the margarita. The Pagani Punch consists of pineapple, orange, cranberry and strawberry juice. Mix that with Captain Spiced rum and that is one sharp tropical drink. Typical tropical drinks don't include strawberry juice, so that added a fresh, tart taste alongside the spiced rum. If you enjoy a simple rum & fruit juice drink, give this a try for a little more zip to the flavor.

Harambe Cooler
Another winner at the Dawa Bar with the Harambe Cooler (right). Similar in flavor to the Lost on Safari, but with a little more alcoholic punch thanks to the Starr African rum's unique flavors of citrus and cardamom. The dark rum & African rum mixed with their special blend of tropical juices give the drink a richer, spicier tropical flavor that's not real sweet. This was also the strongest drink we've had of their specialty drinks (though that may differ by bartender). Another one worthy of the top-dollar price tag.
Dawa Colada
If you are trying to decide between getting a dessert and a drink, get both in the Dawa Colada (left). The pina colada mix with fresh raspberry puree is refreshing and delicious. A great drink to enjoy on a hot day. While not particularly strong, it is quite tasty. Not as worthy of the high price tag as the other drinks on the menu. Wait, hold the phone . . . oh, it's 1996 calling telling me not to say hold the phone? I'll take that call right after I tell our friends what I just figured out. Pina colada + Bacardi Razz + raspberry puree = pina coLAVA. . . remember what happened to the automotive industry for selling the same car under 6 different names?
 

African Beer Reviews
Authentic, African beer from Ethiopa has been added to the menu at one of our favorite watering holes. These new beers add a nice selection of diversity to the ever-growing unique beer offering at DisneyWorld.


St. George beer has a nice golden color with very little head. Matching that light color is the flavor - light, fresh and clean without much aftertaste or bitterness. An easy to drink, refreshing lager that will go down nicely (and quickly!) in the hot summer months.







Hakim Stout delivers a medium-brown, coffee color with a moderatel foamy head. Though dark, it's slightly sweet with a light caramel and roasted malty flavor. Not very hoppy at all, with minimal aftertaste. A beer with a little more substance and deep flavor. Like the Kona Pipeline? Give this one a shot. 




Updated 10/12 

Located deep in the villages of Asia you'll find this tasty restaurant. Here you'll find one of 2 full-service bars in the park, and this one is inside with cold AC.  So, you'll have a better chance of winning the lottery than getting a seat at the bar. The good news - you can get a drink to go. 

Specialty Drinks - $7.99

Yak Attack
Mango daiquiri, Bacardi Light rum and wildberry flavors.

Shanghai Express
Captain Morgan Spiced rum, DeKuyper banana liqueur, peachtree schnapps and tropical juices.

Bonsai Blast
Skyy Vodka, DeKuyper banana liqueur, peachtree schnapps, blue curacao and sweet & sour.

Emperor Margarita
Jose Cuervo Gold, Grand Marnier and sweet & sour

Big Bamboo
Malibu Coconut rum, Bacardi Light rum, DeKuyper banana liqueur and tropical fruit juices.

Tropical Daiquiri
Bacardi Light rum with choice of strawberry, pina colada, wild berry or mango flavors.

Everest Avalanche
Bacardi Light rum, mixed with banana, strawberry and mango flavors.

Empress Bloody Mary
Stolichnaya Vodka and spicy bloody mary mix.

Draft Beer - 16oz. | 22oz.
Safari Amber - $6.75 | $7.75
Kirin Ichiban - $6.75 | $7.75
Shock Top - $6.75 | $7.75
Bud Light - $6.50 | $7.50

Bottled Beer
Fosters Oil Can - $8.75
Kingfisher Lager - $6.25
Kirin Ichiban Light - $6.25
Tsing Tao - $6.25
Sapporo - $7.25
Corona - $6.25
Heineken - $6.25

Wine
A short list of wine available ranging from $6.50 - $8.95 a glass. Also available by bottle.

Sake - served chilled

Sho Chiku Bai Sake - 6oz. - $7.25
Smooth, well-balanced and full-bodied. Served warm upon request.

Hana Fuji Apple Flavored Sake - 6oz. - $7.50
Fresh aroma that fulfills the palate with crisp tartness of the fruit.

Zipang Sparkling Sake - 250ml bottle - $12.99
This naturally carbonated sake is crystal clear with sparkling bubbles. Sweet yet refreshingly light, with flavors of white grapes, pears and green apples.

Sho Chiku Bai Junmai Nigori Sake - 300ml bottle - $16.99
Unfiltered and sweetest of all sakes. Its name translates to "cloudy" due to its appearance.

Pour Quality 
Just Ok-Poor for Specialty Drinks, Average for mixed drinks.

Food 
Full menu available at the bar. We highly recommend the Wok-Fried Green Beans - a great snack with a cold beer. Check out their full food menu at YakandYetiRestaurant.com

Atmosphere 
An eccentric mix of Asian and Indian decor. The two-story restaurant provides some great views of the park if you luck out and get seated next to a window. Artifacts and souvenirs from the "restaurant proprietor's" travels around the world adorn the walls. Dark oak tables & chairs and jewel-toned fabrics transport you to another world.
 

Review 
Considering the poor pour quality of the specialty drinks, we recommend at least getting one with more than one liquor ingredient in order to get your money's worth. We've had the Yak Attack, and you can read the negative review of that one here under the "Quality Beverages" post. We've also had Big Bamboo, (pictured below) a great tropical drink - the banana liqueur gives it a nice, smooth tropical taste.



Extinct Drink - Shaved Ice Martini
R.I.P. Shaved Ice Martini...you were...a gimmick.The Shaved Ice Martinis went the way of the dinosaurs in spring 2011, but we kept the info here for posterity:
Grape Crush
Three Olive Grape vodka, Chambord and a splash of sweet & sour.
Citrus Freeze
SKYY Infusions Citrus vodka, Midori melon liqueur, sweet & sour and a splash of pineapple juice.
Cherry Infusions
SKYY Infusions Cherry vodka, sweet & sour and a splash of grenadine.
How was it? Well here's our review from 2010: The Shaved Ice Martinis are all about fun presentation. Not a particularly fantastically delicious drink, but it's fun. The bartender mixes up the drink in the shaker and then gives it to you to pour over the ice yourself. We tried the Citrus Freeze after our bartenders recommendation of staying away from the Grape Crush. The Citrus Freeze was a very simple melon drink with a nice fruity flavor.


Menu prices & selection updated 10/12