The Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival has already begun and we got to preview many of the food booths at a Cast Member soft-opening yesterday.

The Citrus Blossom

And while some food booths are still serving EPCOT’s Flower and Garden offerings on their menus such as France, The Citrus Blossom has also brought back lots of Flower and Garden favs.

You might refer to this returning Flower and Garden marketplace as The Citrus Blossom, but we like to call it the Home of the Orange Bird Sipper! That’s right — he’s flown back into town for the Food and Wine festivities as well! But first, let’s take a look at the menu.

Menu

For the Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival, The Citrus Blossom has trimmed down its offerings a little.

We noticed they’ve taken away the Tuna Tataki Bowl and Citrus Shortcake along with a few of their tasty citrus brewskis, but the rest of the 2020 Flower and Garden menus remains intact!

Food

First up, the Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon for $8.25 has made its way back! The smoky notes from the grilled lemon drizzled over the perfectly cooked lobster tail really sold us on this item back in March and it was just as good the second time around.

Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion

The other returning food option is the Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens for $5.75. Even though it’s gluten-free, the breading is nice and crunchy.

Crispy Citrus Chicken

The citrus in the aïoli really brightens up the fried chicken and the salad greens add some nice texture and freshness. And now onto the drinks!

Beverages

Annnnd look who’s here! The Orange Bird Sipper who originally debuted at the 2019 EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival is BACK! He’s a highly-coveted collectible that has sold out at many festivals in the past. Plus he comes filled with a delicious non-alcoholic Orange Cream Shake! You can pick this cute little birdie cup up for $15.00 — while supplies last!

Orange Bird Sipper

We’re also thrilled to see the Orange Sunshine Wine Slushy for $6.75 has also arrived at the Taste of Epcot International Food and Wine Festival! It’s the perfect cooldown we needed after walking around in the blazing hot sun! Wine slushies are also one of our favorite treats to enjoy at the parks.

Orange Blossom Wine Slushy

Sadly, The Citrus Blossom is no longer offering their citrus beer flights, but they do still have their Islamorada Beer Company Coconut Key Lime Ale from Fort Pierce, FL  available in a 6oz. glass for $4.50 or a  12 oz. glass for $8.50.

Citrus Blossom

We gotta say, even though our time at this year’s Flower and Garden Festival was brief, it’s really great to see so many reminders of it at the Taste of Epcot International Food and Wine Festival. So far, we’ve spotted some Flower and Garden topiaries and even some merch we were hoping to see.

Not sure about you guys, but we could really get used to these EPCOT hybrid festivals — they’re kinda the best of both worlds. Stay tuned for food booth reviews coming shortly.

Spike the Bee Sippers and Sporks have also returned! Find out which festival locations are selling them here!

Ready to Plan for Your 2020 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Trip?

Order the DFB Guide to the 2020 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book today! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. Your purchase includes several bonus items as well -- including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!

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Do you own an Orange Bird Sipper? Let us know if you’ll be picking one up at A Taste of EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival this year!