Destination:Drink ~ Orlando

~ Because adult muggles go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, too ~ 

There comes a time in every grown muggle's life where you just have to gather your books, your brains and your pet owl and head for Hogwarts. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios called and I (obviously) answered, wand and best friend in tow. 

First order of business after stepping off a plane from Denver into the muggy warmth of Florida in December? Margaritas. And nachos. Lots of nachos. Agave Azul fit the bill with a Mexican Margarita - Don Julio Anejo, organic agave nectar, fresh pressed lime, shaken, on the rocks - and obviously....nachos. 
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Riding the Hogwarts express works up quite the appetite...chocolate frogs aside, Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour, lunch at the Leaky Cauldron or a brave first encounter with (frozen) Butterbeer are all excellent options. (Full disclosure - hot Butterbeer is better....keep scrolling.) 
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After a long day casting spells and escaping from Gringotts with our robes intact, dinner and a Funky Buddha Floridian Hefe at Bloodhound Brew Pub & Eatery were just the thing. 
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Another day of wizarding exploration paused for draughts at The Hogshead Inn in Hogsmeade. Dragon's Scale (which actually is a magical potion, but in the muggle world would be considered a Vienna lager brewed by the Florida Beer Company) was thoroughly enjoyed with Fawkes as company. 
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You can't spend the day wizarding without imbibing ALL the relevant libations. We swigged pumpkin juice alongside our dinner and finished the evening with a round of hot Butterbeer (much better!) alongside pumpkin pasties, and shots of Ogden's Old Firewhiskey with cheers to a J.K. Rowling's magical mind. 

A fantastic journey, all round - if you get the chance, catch the Knight Bus to Orlando and sip your way through Diagon Alley. Cheers! 

~ Sadie, The Harry Potter Fanatic 
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