Well, I guess it’s time… Florida sure had a beautiful “winter,” but as much as I’ve tried to deny it over the past few weeks, we’re back to the time of year when it’s not unusual to see the thermometer (otherwise known as my weather app) climb back up into the 90s.

One good thing about all that? It’s the perfect excuse to cool down with some cold beverages! And since we’re looking at hanging out in the heat until… oh, until the end of the 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival in, like, November, now is as good a time as any to check out some highly recommended sips!

So today we’re stopping at two Disney World Parks, one Resort, and Downtown Disney to check out some of the latest and greatest concoctions. We’re focusing primarily on some killer cocktails, but we’ll end with a little something for kids (and kids at heart!), too!

So grab a straw and a teeny-tiny umbrella, because we’re starting with a new vacation must-have…

Spikey Pineapple

We’ve just gotta dive in with this new gem at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort: the Spikey Pineapple.

While most of the drink menu at the Tiki Terrace is the same as that inside Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, you can ONLY enjoy the Spikey Pineapple outside on the Tiki Terrace… and it is well worth a special visit.

Why? Because this is Pineapple Soft-Serve (Dole Whip!) served in a sippable form and spiked with Barbancourt Pango Rhum.

If you’re a fan of Dole Whip (and especially the rum-spiked Pineapple Soft-serve at the Epcot Food & Wine and Flower and Garden Festivals and in Animal Kingdom), or just fantastic tropical vacation drinks in general, this one is a must-try!

Tamarind Margarita

What’s a post about drinks in Disney World without mentioning one of the greatest watering holes this side of the Mississippi (and, OK, the other side, too)? Over in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion, La Cava del Tequila sets the standard for incredible and creative margaritas served alongside high-end tequilas.

And while the debut last fall of the Maelstrom Margarita (created in tribute to the now-extinct Maelstrom attraction formerly housed in Mexico’s neighboring Norway Pavilion) receives a lot of well-deserved buzz, it’s the Tamarind Margarita, which debuted last summer, that really knocked our socks off in a recent visit: Ambhar Blanco Tequila, tamarind pulp, orange liquor and agave nectar with a chili powder rim.

The tamarind and agave make this one incredibly sweet — without being too sweet (I hate too sweet), thanks to the tamarind tang, and the chili powder rim provides some kick. This one well earns its place beside the beloved Avocado Margarita. And Horchata Margarita. Oh, and the Wild Passion Fruit… 😉

Dark & Tropical Stormy

Inside at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, though, we’re loving the Dark & Tropical Stormy: Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, fresh lime juice, Ginger Beer, and Falernum.

It’s the unique and bold taste of the ginger beer that makes this one stand out, giving it a sweet spice while the layered pour allows the rum to have its own moment as well.

Another fun feature with many drinks inside the Grotto are toppers themed to the beverage. The Dark & Tropical Stormy’s is understandably windblown 😉 …

Batten down the hatches and grab one!

Raspy Old Fashioned

We’re taking a trip over to Downtown Disney for our next one and stopping at Raglan Road.

Understandably, lots of folks stepping into Raglan Road fancy a pint, and the

beer selection doesn’t disappoint.

But on a recent visit we were able to sample a TON of new menu items, and it was the Raspy Old Fashioned that stole the show. This mix of Tennessee Whiskey, Raglan Road’s famous Guinness Glaze, Sour, and fresh raspberry puree tastes as good as it looks.

Who knew that raspberries and whiskey would work together so well? I didn’t…. but now I do! And now you do, too. You’re welcome 😉 .

Seasonal Milkshake at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner

Okay, so clearly we’ve been focusing on some terrific cocktails today. But we’d be remiss if we didn’t give a nod to a cold drink that makes everyone feel like a kid at heart, and that’s the good old-fashioned MILKSHAKE.

But we’re not just talking about any ol’ vanilla or strawberry here… Nope! Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner has been churning out some sensational seasonal shakes over the past years, to the point where this often overlooked stand has become a must-visit every time we set foot in Hollywood Studios!

Now remember, these are SEASONAL selections and therefore change with some frequency, so you really never know what you’re going to find… but here’s a glimpse at just a few that we’ve enjoyed!

Min and Bill’s really rose to the top last fall when they were serving up the Caramel Apple Shake.

Absolutely NO skimping on the caramel sauce (and that’s a SAUCE, not a syrup) for this shake with a hint of apple flavor!

But that wasn’t our first visit. We’d started to take a lot of notice when the Red Velvet Peppermint Shake hit the scene the previous holiday season.

Most recently, though, it’s the Cinnamon Sweet Churro Milkshake that’s rocking our entire world!

This is two great treats in one… A cinnamon milkshake and a Churro! Okay, three, really… ‘cuz we’re all in agreement that whipped cream should be classified as a dish in itself. Or maybe that’s just me?

No matter which you choose, here’s wishing you lots and lots of Happy Sipping! Oh, and Bottoms up!

Which of these beverages tempt you the most? Please let us know with a comment!