25 Drinks of Christmas – Day Twenty One: HippopotoMai-tai at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

We’re back with everyone’s favorite theme park advent calendar: a daily countdown of our favorite drinks at Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld building anticipation to the Big Day. 

Criteria: Drinks can be alcoholic or nonalcoholic. Drinks can come from any venue on property. Bonus points awarded for atmosphere where the drink is served. Any drink with glow cubes is immediately disqualified. Ready? Let’s go!

DAY TWENTY ONE: HippopotoMai-tai at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

–

It’s coming down to the final stretch and we’re heading back into Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, which has been decorated for the holidays. We’ve been to the Grotto previously on our countdown looking at the Polynesian Pearl and the Dark & Tropical Stormy, but this E-Ticket bar is loaded with incredible drinks. Today’s entrant has both a great name and an even better souvenir mug. Allow us to introduce the HippopotoMai-Tai. Now we’ve all had mai tais (including one of our absolute favorites over at Emeril’s Tchoup Chop), but Grog Grotto’s version not only hits the Drink Trifecta (strong drinks, great flavor, wonderful souvenir mug) but the ultra rare Drink Quadruple with an awesome name. The HippopotoMai-Tai is served in a glass tiki with the Grog Grotto’s name emblazoned on the back, a perfect souvenir (or stocking stuffer!)

–

Ingredients: Coruba Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Orange Curacao, Orgeat ( Almond), Organic Agave Nectar, and fresh Lime Juice. 

–

Previous Drinks of Christmas:

DAY ONE: Polynesian Pearl at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

DAY TWO: Dufftoberfest at Duff Brewery

DAY THREE: Godiva Chocolate Martini at Mizner’s Lounge

DAY FOUR: Blood Orange Side Car at Swizzle Lounge

DAY FIVE: Imperial Pilsner at Morimoto Asia

DAY SIX: Smoking Gun at Emeril’s Orlando

DAY SEVEN: Mint Julep at BOATHOUSE

DAY EIGHT: Bees Knees at The Cowfish

DAY NINE: Cool-headed Monkey at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

DAY TEN: 5 O’Clock Somewhere at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville

DAY ELEVEN: Key West Kiss at Shark’s Underwater Grill

DAY TWELVE: LeFou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern

DAY THIRTEEN: Himalayan Ghost at Thirsty River Bar

DAY FOURTEEN: Schweitzer Slush at Skipper Canteen

DAY FIFTEEN: Dark & Tropical Stormy at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

DAY SIXTEEN: Pear Cider with Firewhisky at Leaky Cauldron

DAY SEVENTEEN: Under the Florida Moon at The Wave… of American Flavors

DAY EIGHTEEN: Hog’s Tea at the Hog’s Head Pub

DAY NINETEEN: Swedish Fish at Todd English’s bluezoo

DAY TWENTY:  Potion of the God’s at Mythos

Interested in theme park drinks? Then do we have a eBook for you! The Walt Disney World Bars and Lounges eGuide by Brian McNichols. Over 250 pages and containing well over 400 photos, this eGuide takes you through EVERY bar and lounge on WDW property (trust me, Brian has the kidneys problems to prove it!) Also included? Recipes for some of your favorite WDW drinks. Ratings, descriptions, and photos for each of the 70+ bars and lounges. Talk about the perfect Christmas present!

Special thanks to crack staff photographer Brandon Glover, the always charming Dani of This Florida Life, and Fred Weasley’s widow Megan Stump for their invaluable assistance with this article. Be sure to also check out Brandon on The Park Blogger podcast with co-hosts Aengus Mackenzie and Brian Carey.

You can always find Your Humble Author each week on the SATURDAY SIX, each month with the Disney Outlet Store Photo Report, and on Twitter (@derekburgan) producing original pieces of Burgan Fine Art™