Finding the Best Old Fashioned at Walt Disney World

Who knew that the most magical place on earth could also be a great place for some bourbon and bourbon-based cocktails!

Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is home to almost 150 bars in the theme parks, resort hotels, and Disney Springs, and we’re here to tell you that it’s not all super sweet tropical drinks with pineapple, guava, and umbrellas (though they have a lot of those too if you’re into that).

We all know that the festivals in the World Showcase a EPCOT can create some outstanding cocktails, but we focused solely on Old Fashioneds you can get any time of the year.

We worked our way through Walt Disney World to find you the top 10 best places to get a quality Old Fashion –

10. Ale & Compass Restaurant

Maple Old Fashioned – $14.50
Old Forester Bourbon, maple syrup, orange juice, and angostura bitters

Take in the New England vibes at the Ale & Compass at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort to start our list. The maple twist on this Old Fashioned adds the perfect amount of sweetness to warm the soul, and the orange juice is a new take to replace the orange peel. Does this mean it’s not appropriate to enjoy at breakfast time, too?

9. Space 220 Restaurant

Orion Old Fashion – $17
Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Grand Marnier, Chocolate Bitters

Go up into space but stay grounded with a classic bourbon-based cocktail. The Grand Marnier creates a sweet element that really elevates the drink to the cosmos. We’re not sure how chocolate bitters come into play, but we’re here for it.

8. City Works Eatery & Pour House

Burnt Orange Old Fashioned – $15
Devil’s River Rye, Cointreau, charred syrup, orange bitters
You can enjoy this great classic Old Fashioned without a park ticket right in Disney Springs! City Works Eatery & Pour House is most known for their expansive beer menu, but bourbon lovers shouldn’t just walk by! This restaurant likes to feature bourbon flights intermittently through the year.

7. Nomad Lounge

Tempting Tigress – $16.50
Russell’s Reserve 10yr Bourbon, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, tamarind syrup, lime juice

Nomad Lounge is our place to escape at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and grab a drink. You will completely forget that you are in a theme park while you sip high-end cocktails on the veranda watching the flotillas. You can even feel good about ordering at the Nomad Lounge because they donate a portion of their profits to conservation funds.

6. Enchanted Rose Lounge

Seasonal Old Fashioned – $26
Widow Jane 10 yr straight bourbon whiskey, house-made seasonal syrup and bitters (Fall)

The Enchanted Rose is a beautiful themed lounge to Beauty and the Beast. The cocktails are some of the most refined in all of Walt Disney World, with high price tags to match. What we love about the Old Fashioneds here is that they can be different every time. We have seen classic versions with high quality ingredients, and also versions with blood orange syrups or rosemary cranberry syrups. Enjoy and opulent cocktail in an elegant atmosphere with this drink.

5. California Grill

Sonoma Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned – $18.50
Sonoma Distilling Co. Bourbon, vanilla maple syrup, angostura bitters and luxardo gourmet maraschino cherries with with an orange twist

Bourbon lovers rejoice! Don’t stop at this delicious elevated classic, be sure to enjoy the single pours of their extensive bourbon lists. Did you know that Knob Creek makes a custom bourbon just for Disney? Be sure to check it out and these other high quality bourbons:

• Basil Hayden Kentucky Straight Bourbon
• Labrot & Graham “Woodford Reserve” Distillers Select
• Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch
• Knob Creek Disney Select Small Batch
• Booker Noe Barrel-Strength
• Widow Jane 10 Yr Straight Bourbon
• Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon
• Eagle Rare 10  Yr Bourbon

4. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

Jock’s Old Fashioned – $16.50
Knob Creek Disney Select Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon, Cointreau Liqueur, simple syrup, angostura bitters, orange bitters, splash of soda water

There are no dainty cocktail umbrellas on any of these Indiana Jones themed cocktails! Every libation features either bourbon, vodka, or gin and is guaranteed to put hair on your chest and a smile on your face. Don’t forget to pair your cocktail with one of the best charcuterie boards on property!

3. The Polite Pig

Sweet Tea Old Fashioned – $12
Four Roses Bourbon, sweet tea syrup, bitters

The Polite Pig in Disney Springs is a fantastic barbeque joint that also features a full bourbon bar. Yes, please. After enjoying a sweet southern twist on an old fashioned, invite a few friends to enjoy one of the Polite Pigs whiskey flights. Each flight contains a 1 oz. pour of 3 different whiskeys to match a theme.

• Polite Flight (Four Roses Small Batch, Basil Hayden, Eagle Rare) – $21
• Florida Flight (Timber Creek Florida Single Malt Whiskey, St.Augustine Florida Straight Bourbon, Palm Ridge Reserve) – $24
• Rye Flight (Bulleit 95 Rye, Michter’s Straight Rye Single Barrel, Whistlepig 10yr Private Barrel) – $25
• Refined Flight (Woodford Reserve, Calumet Farm, Horse Soldier Small Batch) – $26

2. Sebastian’s Bistro

Create Your Own Rum Old Fashioned – $15
This menu features a fun choose-your-own adventure scenario! This is an Old Fashioned with a Caribbean twist using rum instead of bourbon, and is the most customizable Old Fashioned we have ever seen. You choose your rum, syrup, and even your bitters.

Choose from 6 different Caribbean rums, 4 different syrups including agave, orange tangerine, pure cane sugar, and maple, and 9 different bitters including, angostura, angostura orange, black walnut, cardamom, chocolate, grapefruit, peychaud’s, pimento, and rhubarb.

1.   The Edison

The Edison – $17
Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Belle de Brillet Pear Brandy, Lemon Juice, Honey Cordial

When you peruse the Fashionably Old Corner of the menu you will find a tried and true Old Fashioned, but we had to check out The Edison’s signature cocktail with the same name, and the high quality ingredients just put this one on top. The Edison cocktail is like the Old Fashioned’s rich uncle – classy, strong, smooth, and rich.

Plus, after 9:00 PM you can sip and enjoy a live Burlesque show. Now, that’s how you do Disney.

Over to You!

Do you have a favorite Old Fashioned at Walt Disney World? Share your favorite in the comments section below!

Thanks for stopping by the Disney Drink Blog,

Cheers!

 

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Are You Planning a Walt Disney World Vacation?

The Disney Drink Blog Highly Recommends the following providers:

Need help with your Disney Resort Reservations? Have Ears of Experience make your Disney Resort Reservations at the lowest price possible with no additional cost to you above what you'd pay Disney yourself.