Update: This review originally ran January 14, 2015. In honor of National Margarita Day, I wanted to resurface this post. I’ve been back to La Cava del Tequila a few times since last year, and they still serve up the best margaritas I’ve ever had, period. The Jalapeño Margarita remains my favorite, but other margaritas such as the Maelstrom or the Avocado Margarita are also perfection in the form of lime juice and tequila. You really can’t go wrong grabbing a drink at this tequila bar in Epcot, on National Margarita Day or any other day of the year.

Whenever I’ve passed by La Cava del Tequila, the small tequila bar located inside Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion has typically been packed with happy revelers. I would stare through the windows, like a Dickensian street urchin looking upon a lush holiday meal. I was typically in too much of a rush to take the time to get a drink at La Cava del Tequila, but I always wanted to. “One day,” I would tell myself. One day
La Cava Del Tequila - Epcot Tequila Bar - Walt Disney World

Cava del Tequila - Epcot Dining

Turns out, one day took place this previous October. I was meeting up with my family at the Mexico Pavilion. They had just boarded The Grand Fiesta Tour starring the Three Caballeros when I arrived, so I had a few minutes to kill. Like previous trips, my gaze wandered toward La Cava del Tequila. To my surprise, there was absolutely no one at the bar. So, I did what any self-respecting person would do while their family was on a child-friendly Small World type boat ride. I hit up the bar for a margarita.

Review - Jalapeno Margarita at Epcot - The Best Margarita I've Ever Had

As soon as I entered La Cava Del Tequila, I realized why there was no one at the bar. They had converted the bar into an express line for to-go drinks only. I don’t know how long they’ve had this policy in place, or if it’s only for busy events like the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. But it definitely allows for speedy service. I do wish that I would have been able to enjoy my drink in the nice, dim atmosphere of the cantina, but considering I only had a few minutes to kill, the express line was perfect.

La Cava del Tequila - Margarita Menu - Disney World Dining

I was very impressed by the variety of specialty margaritas available. While I was tempted to order the Maelstrom to pay tribute to the memory of the ride, I ultimately landed on the Jalapeño Margarita. The combination of muddled jalapeños and cucumbers sounded intriguing.

In short, this was by far the best margarita I’ve ever had. I’m pretty sure that this was my first margarita that was made with real lime juice and agave instead of an ultra-sugary mix. The difference is night and day between the two, and I honestly can’t go back after having the real deal. While some margaritas can be far too sweet and a bit harsh going down, the Jalapeño Margarita was extremely smooth and flavorful. I was able to taste all of the ingredients: the tartness of the lime juice was balanced by the sweetness of the agave. The Himilayan salt rim was both sweet and salty, in a way that was kind of addicting. I did get a bit more of the refreshing, cool flavor of the cucumbers than the kick of the jalapeño. If I had one criticism, it’s that I would have preferred the jalapeño flavor to be a bit more prominent than it was. I do like things to be a little bit on the spicy side, so this is ultimately a minor quibble. But don’t let the name fool you. The Jalapeño Margarita is a surprisingly approachable drink.

Jalapeno Margarita - Epcot's La Cava del Tequila

At $13.00, the margarita is a little on the pricey side. However, the portion is generous, and I personally think the product is premium enough to justify the premium price. The other margaritas at La Cava Del Tequila are priced in a similar range. It’s definitely not the cheapest beverage at Disney World, but it is one of the best.

It’s a testament to this drink that it so quickly joined my list of my favorite drinks at Disney World and Disneyland. I tried this drink a couple of months ago, yet the flavors are still extremely vivid in my memory. I can’t wait to head back to La Cava del Tequila to try one of their other margaritas. My brother-in-law highly recommends the Avocado Margarita, which isn’t listed on the menu.

Next time you’re at Walt Disney World, I highly recommend checking out La Cava del Tequila. Whether you choose to have a leisurely drink inside the bar or get a quick margarita to go, this is one of Disney World’s best spots for getting a drink.