My favorite thing to do at EPCOT!! Here's how the husband and I Drink (Multiple Times) Around the World:
Background: We go to a lot of beer festivals and things of the sort, so we have a lot of experience with sampling drinks all day without acting a fool or feeling too terrible the next day!
1. Start with getting a good "base" - a really nice breakfast or an early lunch. This is one challenge you should not attempt on an empty stomach.
2. I always buy one of those EPCOT Passports for kids, but in each country I write down what drink I had! Then, I go to the KidCot (or whatever they're called) station and get my country stamp. It makes a silly souvenir and is pretty much the only thing I buy on our trips, other than Alex & Ani bracelets.
3. Pick and choose which liquor-based drinks you want to do and target those first. For us, that means we start in Mexico with either Margaritas (the good kind - inside at Cava) or Palomas.
4. We generally go in order, but will skip a couple countries because of Rule No. 3 with plans to return in the evening. France is the only exception to rule No. 3 for me - I will usually have a day-ending Grey Goose Slushie or something while we watch Illuminations.
5. It's important to remember the "rules" for mixing drinks - go liquor, then wine, then beer. ALSO! If you're new to drinking foreign/craft beers - be sure to check the ABV on beers before you order! Most domestics are like 4% ABV, while mexican beers or Blue Moon can get to 6-7% ABV. Just make sure you're not drinking anything too high in alcohol volume early into your challenge.
6. The husband and I start by sharing drinks that are full pours. Once we get a drink, we always sit down to consume the beverage. We people watch, read for a little bit, chat about silly things we see on Twitter, etc. DRINKS CAN ONLY BE CONSUMED WHEN SITTING DOWN!
7. If you're walking or waiting in line for a ride, drink water! Hydration is key! We'll generally drink an entire bottle of water between cocktails.
8. Your best "deals" are package deals - my favorite is the Wine Walk, including Italy, Germany and France. You pay a flat fee up front (I think it was $20 the last time we went?) and they give you a card with a selection of wine in each of the three countries. So, for $20 you get a 2-ounce pour of one red and one white in EACH of the three countries. You have all day to get those pours - plus, the 2-ounce size is perfect for sampling. You'll knock out three countries with only drinking 12 ounces of wine!
9. Plan a nice late lunch or late dinner. Biergarten is great - you can knock off another country by having a couple of low ABV beers while feasting on a carb-filled buffet for a decent price. Personally, I LOVE Chefs de France for dinner. But, I love France.
10. If you're a beer person, plan on your big time-waste drinking to be spent at the Rose & Crown. The bartenders are wonderful and knowledgable if you're trying certain beers for the first time. There's also a seat-yourself section in the back by the water. Husband will usually get some fish and chips and we'll sit by the water and have a couple of beers.
11. Don't be afraid of Guiness!! I know people think dark beer = heavy, high-booze beer, but that's not true! Guiness is one of the lowest ABV AND lowest calorie beers you can drink! For comparison - Guiness' has an ABV of 4%, while Miller Lite checks in at 4.17%!
12. Try drinks you've never had before. Like - Sake, for instance. At worst, if you hate it, you can always tell friends next time "Yeah, I had sake while I was Drinking Around the World and it was gross!" How is that for a humble brag?
13. I believe Africa counts, while my husband does not. Mostly because he won't drink domestic beer and occasionally I don't mind a Bud Light or Mich Ultra. So, Africa deserves extra points in my opinion - for those keeping score.
14. Coconut Water and Emergen-C are also helpful, post challenge.
Enjoy!! It's a fun way to spend an afternoon at EPCOT!
