Oh happy day! For the first time Rickey traversed the hallowed halls of Magic Kingdom knowing he’d be further fortified against strollers and screaming children. But would the cocktails be up to Rickey’s snuff? Read on to find out!
Rickey was first in line for his 11AM reservation at Liberty Tree Tavern. Who doesn’t love stuffing their gullet full of meats and potatoes pre-noon? The cocktails certainly help motivate one to make poor food choices, a hallmark of Disney travel… So drink on!
Gold Rush: $16
He started with the Gold Rush, featuring Elijah Craig Bourbon, lemon juice and honey, with a crystallized ginger garnish. This uses the building blocks of a basic bourbon sour (minus egg white), but kicks it up a notch with the spicy ginger.
Rickey was over the dang moon when he tried this delightful concoction. The folks at Magic Kingdom got this totally right by not trying to do too much.
The bourbon is present, but perfectly balanced by the sweet and tangy supporting ingredients. The ginger doesn’t offer much unless you gnaw on it a bit, which Rickey recommends. Overall the Gold Rush is simple and easy to take down because, while strong, it’s neither too cloying nor too boozy.
Magical Beacon Cocktail: $17
Magic Kingdom kinda phoned it in with this one, considering it’s basically everywhere for the 50th. That said, Rickey finally gave it a shot and was pleasantly surprised. We’re not certain if they are just doing a better job with the Magical Beacon here, but it was embarrassingly delicious.
The Magical Beacon contains Empress 1908 Gin, Bols Blue Curacao, Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, orgeat (almond), lemon, hibiscus grenadine and a Souvenir Glow Cube.
Many moons ago, when he was just a wee mouse pup, Ginmonade was Rickey’s go-to party drink. That’s just gin and lemonade for those who don’t speak degenerate. Anyhoo, this tastes like an elevated version of that nostalgic concoction.
It starts out like a basic lemonade but evolves into a deeper, tangier flavor that’s softened by the orgeat and curacao. The gin is prominent on the finish, but doesn’t blast your palate with booze. Rickey expected this to be flat and overly sweet, but it wasn’t. ChEARS to a blue cocktail that also get the job done!
Oh, and while Rickey sampled these drinks at Liberty Tree Tavern, you can also get them at The Diamond Horseshoe, basically next door.
Overall these drinks challenged Rickey’s preconceived notions about boozing at Magic Kingdom. He expected them to suck, and they totally didn’t. In particular, he’d happily smash the Gold Rush at home, before noon, any day.
Have you gotten boozy at Magic Kingdom yet? Let us know in the comments!