Becoming a Master Mixologist at Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival

in Disneyland Paris, Events, Food, Theme Parks

food and wine fest

Credit: Disney

Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, which started March 1, is still going strong with lots of great food to try as well as seminars, culinary demonstrations (which also includes family-friendly seminars presented by Chef Daniella Malfitan) and live music entertainment with special activities each day of the festival. The festival ends April 23, 2019, so you still have time to savor a delicious array of new items, as well as some returning favorites.

Here is a quick overview of the Marketplace booths and specialty merchandise so you can quickly determine places to hit and places to skip.

In addition to 14 Festival Marketplaces, you can sign up for a variety of seminars covering Mixology, Wine, Beer and more. A great feature of all of these seminars which take place in The Vineyard Room (upstairs at the Golden Vine Winery) in Disney California Adventure Park is the tasting portion.

A table at a restaurant in Disney California Adventure
Credit: Robbie Bulus/ITM

In the interest of research, I took the Mixology Education & Tasting Seminar to find out if I could become a Master Mixologist.

These special 45-min seminars will focus on a specialty drink in various Disneyland Resort locations, like Carthay Circle, Lamplight Lounge and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar. We tried out the Carthay Circle and Lamplight seminars, which were both unique. The great thing about these seminars is that you get to actually create the style of drink yourself. And of course, you drink your creation.

Disney provides all the things needed to create the drink being featured. For the Carthay Circle seminar, we learned how to make an Old Fashioned which is available at Carthay Circle lounge.

A table at a restaurant at Disney California Adventure
Credit: Robbie Bulus/ITM

The best part of this drink was the spherical ice cube that gets created at the bar. These specialty ice cubes are made from a special block of ice using a Cirrus Press (you can get one here).

A glass with a round ice cub
Credit: Robbie Bulus/ITM

The old fashioned is made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon with Angostura and Orange Bitters, and a Luxardo Gourmet Maraschino Cherry served with an Ice Sphere. Here is the full recipe:

3 Dashes Angostura Bitters
2 Dashes Orange Bitter
2 oz Woodford Reserve Kentucky Bourbon
1 bar spoon pure cane syrup
Scoop of Ice

Garnish with Orange peel and Maraschino Cherry.

A glass cup with a drink
Credit: Robbie Bulus/ITM

A trip to this lounge isn’t complete without indulging in some of the flavorful and exclusive food menu offerings. The Fire Cracker Duck Wings are coated in Sriracha, lime, and cilantro for those craving a spicy and savory dish. Or try the Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits stuffed with white cheddar, bacon, and jalapeño.

The next Mixology Seminar we attended was for Lamplight Lounge which is located at Pixar Pier. We made the “Final with a Fix” cocktail which consists of Greenbar IXÁ Reposado Tequila, St. George Raspberry Liqueur, Cointreau, fresh Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, and a dash of Del Maguey Vida Mezcal.

A table with the elements to make a cocktail at Disney California Adventure Food and Wine festival
Credit: Robbie Bulus/ITM

 

A glass of drink on a table with the instructions.
Credit: Robbie Bulus/ITM

 

Food and wine menu
Ingredients and instructions on how to make this specialty cocktail. Credit: Robbie Bulus/ITM

Renovated from an old warehouse factory, this eatery boasts amazing architectural elements like concrete and exposed brick walls that reveal its storied past, all while creating an airy, bright and sophisticated ambiance. There is a trove of Pixar treasures sprinkled into the California casual décor, including concept art, napkin sketches, knick-knacks, collectible toys and other mementos “left behind” by the filmmakers.

In addition to the drinks, an incredible menu, outdoor seating and picturesque views of Pixar Pier make this newly reimagined waterfront lounge ideal for hanging out with family and friends.

Here is a list of the remaining Mixology Seminars available. The cost is $20 per person. Sign up quick as they tend to sell out. In addition, there are Beer and Wine Education tasting seminars for those who are interested. Sign up here.

Friday, March 22, 2019
4:15 PM Blinking Owl Distillery
5:45 PM Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Saturday, March 23, 2019
4:15 PM Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
5:45 PM Blinking Owl Distillery

Sunday, March 24, 2019
4:15 PM Blinking Owl Distillery
5:45 PM Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Friday, March 29, 2019
4:15 PM Henebery Whiskey
5:45 PM Pernod Ricard

Saturday, March 30, 2019
4:15 PM Pernod Ricard
5:45 PM Henebery Whiskey

Sunday, March 31, 2019
4:15 PM Henebery Whiskey
5:45 PM Pernod Ricard

Friday, April 5, 2019
4:15 PM Alma de Agave Tequila
5:45 PM Lemba Rum

Saturday, April 6, 2019
4:15 PM Lemba Rum
5:45 PM Alma de Agave Tequila

Sunday, April 7, 2019
4:15 PM Alma de Agave Tequila
5:45 PM Lemba Rum

Friday, April 12, 2019
4:15 PM The Mixing Glass
5:45 PM Carthay Circle Lounge

Saturday, April 13, 2019
4:15 PM Carthay Circle Lounge
5:45 PM The Mixing Glass

Sunday, April 14, 2019
4:15 PM The Mixing Glass
5:45 PM Carthay Circle Lounge

Friday, April 19, 2019
4:15 PM The Blind Rabbit
5:45 PM Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Saturday, April 20, 2019
4:15 PM Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar
5:45 PM The Blind Rabbit

Sunday, April 21, 2019
4:15 PM The Blind Rabbit
5:45 PM Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Have you attended the 2019 Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival? What are your favorite foods? Let us know if the comments below.

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