Holiday Drinks at Disney
Holiday Season Drinks of 2012
The holiday season just wouldn't be the same without enjoying a Hot Buttered Rum, Baileys with Hot Chocolate or a Tom & Jerry. But when you're at the parks, what holiday-inspired drinks will fit the bill? Here you'll find special holiday drink menus along with some year-round favorites that just taste better during the holiday season.
Epcot
The Disney park known for it's wide variety of drinks doesn't disappoint during the holidays. You can enjoy a hot traditional German wine, or enjoy a specialty coffee in Morocco.
Germany
During the holiday months, the wine room keeps a hot kettle brewing with their Christkindles Glühwein (Glow wine) behind the counter. This is a very popular and traditional alcoholic drink in Germany during Christmas. It is a red wine served piping hot with deep rich flavors of cinnamon, cloves and light citrus. A stop in Epcot during the holidays is not complete for us unless we get a glass of this. It's served in a plastic cup with a handle, just slightly larger than the typical wine glasses, for $6. You can also purchase a bottle to take home to your own festivities for $12.95 (which we did!)
It tastes like you took a savory sangria and heated it up. If this doesn't heat you up on a cold FL night (yes, it does get cold sometimes), nothing will. The bottle also recommends trying it over ice, but that just seems wrong.
The Tannenbaum (Christmas tree) shaped bottle holds "Baden Pinot Noir" and sells for $21. You'll also find a fun assortment of every adult's favorite chocolate - the liquor-filled kind! Chocolates are available in boxes or single serving, you know, for those emergencies...
Along with the regular Glühwein, you'll find Albrecht Dürer Glühwein aus Weisswein which is a white wine sweetened with honey and other spices. We didn't see this one available by the glass, but if you're there it doesn't hurt to ask.;)
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Holiday Beer Garden
Germany's Beer Garden from Food & Wine has been transformed for the seasons with a holiday theme. Here you'll find beer, wine and tasty treats from the Werther's store.;)
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Drinks:
Gluhwein - 6oz. - $5.63 | Bottle $10.95
Winter Dream William's Punch - 6oz. - $6.57 | Bottle $27.95
Radeberger Beer - 12oz. - $5.50
Schonauer Apfel (Apple Liqueur) - 1.5oz. shot - $2.50
Review: The Winter Dream William's Punch is a special twist on your typical eggnog - a creamy, white wine with savory spices. Served hot with a heap of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon on top, this beverage will really warm you up for the holidays. Even if you're not a big eggnog fan, you may still want to give this a try - it's very different from your typical cold 'nog from the grocery store. Typical eggnogs are made with a hard liquor, this one has wine as its base which makes it unique.;)
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Morocco
So maybe these coffee drinks are available year-round, but who really wants to drink hot coffee in 90 degree weather? This is the time of year when we order these tasty concoctions again. Kasbah and Casablanca are our favorites. Even the non-coffee drinker here loves these drinks! How can you go wrong with a little coffee, some flavored liqueur topped with whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg? 
Tangierine Coffee - with orange liqueur - $6.99
Kasbah Coffee - with hazelnut liqueur - $6.99
Casablanca Coffee - with vanilla liqueur - $6.99 (pictured)
Hollywood Studios
Good news! We've got some holiday cocktail imbibery to be done at the Studios again this year! These delicious decadences can be found at High Octane Refreshments. Through diligent research we've also found the talented mixologists at the Tune-In Lounge are also fully capable of pouring a glass of cheer. The temporary bar next to Sci-Fi is not pouring these Holiday concoctions this year, but they do have hard liquor, beer and wine available.
Sleigh Ride & SnowballMerry Margarita - $10.75
Sauza Gold tequila, blue curacao, sweet & sour, lime juice and a souvenir glow cube.
Sleigh Ride - $10.75
Myers's Platinum rum, Beefeaters gin, SKYY vodka, triple sec, sweet & sour and cranberry juice with a souvenir glow cube.
Snowball - $8.75
Kahlua coffee liqueur, Baileys Irish Cream, Amaretto, half & half and whipped cream sprinkled with cinnamon nutmeg.
Baileys Coffee - $7.50
Baileys Irish Cream, fresh-brewed coffee, topped with whipped cream.
Captain's Hot Cider - $6.75
Hot apple cider with Captain Morgan Original spiced rum.
Snowball Recipe
Due to popular demand, here's the Snowball Drink Recipe!
2 parts Amaretto, 1 part Kahlua, 1 part Baileys, 4 parts half & half. "Roll" to combine and top with whipped cream and a dash of ground nutmeg. "Rolling" a drink is simply pouring it from one glass to another; it's similar to shaking but doesn't cause the bubbles you'd get by shaking this creamy drink.
Review: You should know by now that we are no fans of glow cubes or flashy cups in general. We don't need to pay an extra $2-3 bucks for a worthless blinky cube. Here's the insider's tip, you can ask for the drinks without the glow cube. In fact, these "holiday" drinks are simply (and unfortunately) rebadged regular drinks with a holiday name. I asked if I could order the Sleigh Ride without a cube and the bartender asked if I meant I'd like a "Long Beach" hint-hint - same drink sans glow cube profit. The "Sleigh Ride" was delicious with a great juniper bite from the gin and the tart, tang of cranberry and sour mix. Simply put, crisp and refreshing but maybe better suited to the gin lover in the party.
Ever wonder what a Snowball tastes like? I'm happy to report it's completely different than the white-washes I remember as a kid (northerner joke - Whoo!!!) Disney's Snowball is like a rich, creamy vanilla shake on ice. The amaretto provides a sweet almond backdrop and is beautifully complimented by Kahlua and Bailey's adding that Je ne sai quoi of depth and intricacy to the always perfect cream. Top this with whipped cream and plenty of nutmeg and you've got Christmas in a glass. So, is this one good for you? Well, it's the perfect cocktail to get you feeling a little like ol' Saint Nick himself. Two or three and you may end up looking like him as well. As with all good things, moderation is key!
The Merry Margarita did not stand up to its name. The worst drink we tried. It tasted like we were drinking a cup of sweet and sour mix with blue curacao. No discernable tequila taste at all whatsoever. Maybe we just got a bad pour, but for $7.50 (or $11!!) I'd better be able to tell that I'm getting my top shelf tequila. What's that you say? They don't even claim it's got the good stuff in it? Obviously, steer clear on this one.;)
Osborne Lights Area
Beverages
Spiced Eggnog - $7.25
Bottled Beer - $6
Sutter Home Wine (Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Grigio) - $7.50
Sparkling Wine - $7.50
If you would like a beer or wine and don't want to leave the lights, there's a stand selling beverages, along with some popcorn, cookies and other treats.
Big River Grille
Winter's Nip, a special holiday brew, is available November 13 - December 23, 2012 at Big River Grille on Disney's Boardwalk. This dark colored Bock comes served in a special holiday mug. While very dark in color, the flavor is not like your typical dark beer. Winter's Nip has a surprising sweet finish with hints of caramel and toffee. This is definitely for someone who enjoys a sweet beer, and it's on the verge of a bit much for those that do. A glass half the size would be much more enjoyable.;)
Crew's Cup Lounge at Yacht & Beach Club Resort
You'll find a special Holiday Themed Drink at the Crew's Cup this year.
Santa's Little Helper
Gold schnapps, Butterscotch, Baileys, half & half, grenadine and topped with whipped cream.
Downtown Disney
Portobello Restaurant
While at Downtown Disney, don't miss their specialty cocktail this season, Cranberry Bog. "A mix of vodka, amaretto and freshly squeezed orange juice."
View their full Holiday Menu here.
Fulton's Crab House
Make at stop at Fulton's for their 2 specialty holiday cocktails:
Chocolate Raspberry Martini - A blend of Harlem, Godiva Chocolate liqueur, Chambord and cream.
Hazelnut Mocha Fusion - Bailey's Hazelnut, Chocolate, Malibu and Milk topped with whipped cream and cinnamon.
View their full Holiday Menu here.
Any holiday favorites that we left out? Let us know in the comments.
It's beginning to taste a lot like Christmas...
PartyThroughTheParks
Reader Comments (5)
Getting some Glow wine is a tradition for us too! I never thought of buying a bottle, will have to do that next time.
Ahh...the best part of the holidays! Thanks for pointing all these out!
Well said Mr. Pandy, well said.
I am looking forward to making a few of these this holiday season! Thanks for sharing!
Beth - You're welcome! Nothing like a little Christmas cheer in a cup to kick-start the holidays!