Showing posts with label beverages. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beverages. Show all posts

Friday, May 1, 2026

Magic Kingdom Fireworks & Desserts


Hello Lovely Readers,
I decided to splurge and go to the Magic Kingdom Fireworks & Desserts Party, seated. What a treat! Fireworks were at 10, and I could check in at 8:30. I got a fantastic seat and was impressed by the all-you-can-eat desserts and beverages. Plus, they added some fruit, cheese, and crackers.

They had four dessert stations themed to each of the lands, plus an ice cream station, along with a cookies and brownies decorating station 

Cheers🥂

Frontierland Bayou Peach Cobbler
Tomorrowland Star Command Mousse Cup
Adventrueland Pirate Treasure Cheesecake 
{Okay, I realized as I was posting this that the cup is in the shape of a skull}

The Party Goers


It was well worth it!
Stay 🌞

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Festival of the Arts, 2026


Hello Lovely Readers,
Here's my recap of the 2026 Epcot International  Festival of the Arts. I went twice this year. The firstMonday that I wasn't blacked out, and the very last day of the festival. Thankfully, I didn't get rained on this year. I went with a friend during the first visit, so I sampled a lot more food and drinks.  I also did a couple of "interactive" activities.
It is an Art Festival...

This is the beginning of Edna from "The Incredibles".  I didn't finish her.

It was raining last year, so I didn't get to paint the mural↓
A portion of the completed Mural on the last day of the festival

They have many step into the painting photo ops.  

A non-festival drink, but a really tasty Strawberry Hard Cider!

The Food & Drinks
That I consumed

The American Adventure
Peppercorn-crusted Striploin
with Grilled Asparagus, Potatoes au Gratin & Au Poivré Butter

The Artisits Table
The American Adventure
Dark Chocolate Torte
Flourless Chocolate Cake, Whipped Cream & Raspberries

Pastoral Palate
Germany
Frozen Rose, Rose Blond Ale, Rose Hard Cider

Pop Eats!
Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
Croque Monsieur-Inspired Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup
with Black Forest Ham, Gruyere & Bechamel Sauce

El Artista Hambriento
Mexico
Pear-fect Maragrita
Calenda Mezcal Jove, Prickly Pear Puree, Passion Fruit Puree & LeJay Creme de Cassis with a Potpourri Salt Rim

Roasted Turkey Breast, Onion & Bacon Custard Tart, Cherry Gel, 
Brown Butter Toast Milk Foam, and Pineapple-Toffee Butter

Deco Delights
Vanilla Bean Mousse with a Golden Caramel Center and Apricot Jam on a Hazelnut Cookie

This was so good, I forgot to get a pic of the inside, which was pretty cool

Craftsman's Courtyard
Inspired by the Arts & Crafts Movement
Cold Brew Coffee, Simple Syrup, Orange Bitters & Jim Beam Straight Bourbon Whiskey

Craftsman's Courtyard
Inspired by the Arts & Crafts Movement
with Sauteed Tomatoes, Garlic & Fresh Herbs

France
Warm Cramy Brie in a House-made Bread Bowl

L'Art De La Cuisine Francaise
France
Frozen French Martini
Grey Goose Vodka, Chambord, Pineapple Juice, Orange Juice, and Grape Juice with a Lemon-Lime Foam

The Painted Panda
China
Sweet &Savory Cantonese-style BBQ Pork in a Steamed Bun

Goshiki
Japan
Tokyo Kawaii Roll
Chripsy Shrimp Tempura Wrapped in Multicolor Sushi Rice with Yellow Yuzu Sauce & Tangy Plum Sauce
with Plum Wine {not part of the festival} 

Gourmet Landscapes
Canada
Wild Mushroom Risotto
with Aged Parmesan, Traffle Savings & Zinfandel Reduction

How cool is this? 
It was on the marquee in New York's Amsterdam Theatre, where ALADDIN on Broadway is playing. It is 1200 pounds and 14 feet tall. And smoke comes out of it!!

Below are some of the Art Festival Magic Shots





It's their shortest festival, but it packs a punch. I really like the food & drinks at this one. Maybe better than Food & Wine. 

Have you been to this festival?

Until next time

Stay 🌞 

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Festival of the Holidays

Hello Lovely Readers,
Call me spirited. I love the parks at Christmas! This was my first time going to Walt Disney World during the holidays. First Park I visisited was Epcot.

Epcot's Christmas Tree

Chestnuts & Good Cheer Holiday Kitchen
Fire-roasted Chesnuts

Yukon Holiday Kitchen
Canada
Beer Flight
Maple Cookie Blond Ale, Brown Sugar Coffee Porter, Peanut Butter Banana Porter

Los Posadas Holiday Kitchen
Mexico
Tamal de Pollo con Mole
Shredded Chicken and Mole in Corn Massa topped with Mole Negro, Queso Fresco, 
Creama Mexicana, Slivered Almonds & Sesame Seeds

Bavaria Holiday Kitchen
Germany
Cheese Fondue
in a Bread Bowl with Steamed Baby Vegetables and Marble Potatoes

Tuscany Holiday Kitchen
Italy
Montanara
Fried House-made Pizza Dough with Pomodoro Sauce, Parmesan, and Fresh Basil
& Prosecco

Holiday Hearth Desserts
The Odyssey
 Frozen Caramel Hot Chocolate
with Twix & Whipped Cream

Until next time




Monday, November 24, 2025

Beverage Monday/Thanksgiving


Hello Lovely Readers,

The last time I did a Thanksgiving Beverage Monday was way back in 2009~ Link

Here are some newer Thanksgiving dinner-inspired cocktails 

PHOTO: JULIA GARTLAND; 
FOOD STYLING: ADRIENNE ANDERSON

Turkini

  • 1 1/2 oz. bourbon ~ make it Wild Turkey
  • 1 oz. cream de cacoa, light
  • 1/2 oz. Kahlua
  • 1/2 oz. milk 
  • chocolate syrup
  • 1 1 1/2 oz. Bailey's
Put ice in a shaker and then measure the first five ingredients into the shaker.  Shake and strain into a martini glass drizzled with the chocolate sauce. Garnish with a turkey cookie or candy.

Recipe from Delish, with a little bit of modification from me

Sweet Potato Casserole Old-Fashioned

  • 1/2 oz. El Gupao sweet potato syrup
  • 3 dashes El Guapo chicory pecan bitters
  • orange wheel
  • 3 oz. bourbon ~ again why not Wild Turkey or go with Maker's Mark
  • roasted mini marshmallows
  • Orange twist

Muddle the orange wheel, chickory pecan bitters, and sweet potato syrup at the bottom of a rocks glass, add a large ice cube, and the bourbon. Twist the orange peel over the drink, and garnish with roasted mini marshmallows

Recipe inspiration & photo from Comfort du Jour

Cranberry Mojito 

  • 8- 10 fresh cranberries
  • 6-7 mint leaves
  • 1 oz. simple syrup
  • 1 oz. lime juice
  • 2 oz. white rum
  • cranberry juice
  • club soda
  • lime, sugared cranberries, and mint to garnish
In a highball glass add the cranberries, mint simple syrup and lime juice; muddle them together gently. Add ice, the rum and cranberry juice lmost to the top of the glass, add a splash of club soda. Garnish with a lime wedge, sugared cranberries and mint. 

My recipe. Image from Canva.


Bonus, I have really been enjoying flavored whiskey/bourbon on the rocks. Try these pecan flavors~


Ole Smoky Pecan Whiskey



Select Club Pecan Praline



Blackland Prarie Texas Pecan Brown Sugar Bourbon


Cheers,