Would it be the kick-off of the holiday events without more news of holiday food? Of course not! Here we will take a deep dive into the food for the holiday season that will be served at EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays Presented by AdventHealth 2023! Are you ready for all of the sweet treats and savory bites that can be found beginning November 24, 2023 and running through December 30, 2023?
With such a variety of events happening throughout the park, guests will likely have to spend a few days exploring to experience everything. Not only will the holiday kitchens be open, but the Candlelight Processional, a holiday themed scavenger hunt, and the holiday storytellers will all be going on during this time.
This year there will be over 15 holiday food locations, or kitchens as called at the event, throughout the World Showcase. For those needing a little extra jolt for their day, guests can enjoy a Horchata Cold Brew from Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company. This beverage is crafted of Joffrey’s Shakin’ Jamaican Cold Brew and horchata (a creamy mixture), and topped with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. This can also be served as a spirited option for those adults 21 years of age and older.
Connections Cafe will have the Holiday Sugar Cookie that is part of the Cookie Stroll. While right around the corner there is the So Many Wishes beverage crafted of pomegranate-green tea, hibiscus, and lemon then finally given stardust as described by Disney. They will also have Coquito Milk Shake in both a non-alcoholic and alcoholic version available.
Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen will be offering quite a few new and returning menu items this year! A tostada with a black bean spread topped with ground chorizo, queso cotija, a delicious salsa verde, and crema Mexicana will have you dancing in your seat, this menu item is called Giant Tostada de Chorizo. For the sweeter side of the menu there will be a Dulce de Leche Churro! All of these delicious options will pair perfectly with their new Apple Margarita that is crafted of tequila, an apple puree, and a black tea-cinnamon cordial. It will also be topped with whipped cream and holiday themed sprinkles to help get into the holiday spirit!
While we are talking about holiday spirit themed food and drinks, head over to Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen and grab a Sushi Tree. Yes, a sushi roll placed into the shape of a christmas tree, and even topped with a cute little star! The roll itself is Krab meat, cream cheese, and Aonori seaweed with Ikura salmon roe, and a drizzle of spicy mayo. For the 2023 season the Shi Wasu Holiday Kitchen will also be offering a Sweet Potato Mochi Cake. Four pieces of a sweet potato mochi cake served with a dollop of purple sweet potato cream and strawberry. The mochi cake itself will have a black sugary syrup and a dash of sesame seeds. Of course they will have a boba made of cranberry and yuzu cream plus a new Choya Sparkling Plum Wine. These all sound so delicious!
Continuing your way around the World Showcase you will stumble across the Tuscany Holiday Kitchen. It is probably one of my favorite locations. Italian food is just *chef’s kiss*. Grab a glass of Prosecco, Moscato, Chianti, or an Italian Sangria to go with the delightful items on this year's menu and you will not be disappointed. I cannot wait to try Montanara. It is made of fried pizza dough and topped with a red sauce, grated parmesan cheese, and basil. The Farfalle Salmone Affumicato also sounds amazing! The pasta is cooked to perfection and smothered in a cream sauce with smoked salmon pieces. There are also two sweet notes on the menu which include a Torta Caprese, which is a chocolate torta, covered in a chocolate sauce and served with a vanilla cream. Then you have a Dolce pizza which is similar to the Montanara but the dough is tossed in a cinnamon sugar mix instead of served with sauce and cheese. You cannot go wrong with any of these options.
The next country that I never can pronounce anything on the menus (in which I should take some classes because I order from them too much to not know) is over in the France Pavilion. Le Marche de Noel Holiday Kitchen is dishing up some delicious looking plates this year, with quite a few of them being new. The first is a homemade dill brioche bread with a cream of smoked salmon and slices of cucumber. It is called Crème de Saumon Fume en Brioche à l'Aneth, Concombre. The next new released item is Buche de Noel au Pain D'Épices, Ganache Chocolat au Lait et Noisettes. The beautiful bakery item is a gingerbread Christmas log topped with a few dollops of hazelnut and milk chocolate mixed ganache and colorful candy pieces. Pairing these with the following beverages is the perfect little snack to enjoy. A Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini made with Grey Goose la Vanille Vodka, or a Le Joyeux de Noel which is crafted with Grey Goose Vodka and cold brew coffee, and finally a Blood Orange Mimosa that is a mix of orange juice, blood orange and Pol Remy Sparkling Wine.
If you’re looking only for the sweet stuff, head in the direction of Holiday Hearth Desserts where the entire menu is sweet. The return of the Salted Caramel Spaceship Earth Cookie is exciting news while there is also a Cookie Stroll item on the menu which is the Peppermint Pinwheel Cookie. A pop and go option of Mouse Crunch is also available, which is a mix of a variety of popcorn, chocolate covered pretzels and M&M’s. Also on the menu are three new featured products. A Mint Chocolate Mousse Wreath, Apple Caramel Crumb Cake, and Chocolate-covered Toffee Brittle will make its appearance once the festival begins.
While there are so many more and different options available throughout the World Showcase and the entire EPCOT park, you will have to take a magical vacation to experience all of it. Reach out to Marvelous Mouse Travels today for your holiday Disney vacation, there is still time to visit for 2023!
