8 Shades of Lemonade (and tea)

I can remember like it was just yesterday when I was at Trader Sam’s taste testing their seasonal holiday drinks. Now that we’re gradually moving into the warm, summery months (my favorite time of the year), it’s definitely the season to celebrate Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary with eight new refreshing drinks (non-alcoholic) at the Disney Parks! After two iced teas, six frozen lemonades, and one massive sugar crash later, I can say that these drinks have put me through an emotional roller coaster. Here’s a quick glimpse of what my thoughts and emotions were (as described by the cast of Inside Out!) as I taste tested my way through these Diamond Celebration drinks.

Disneyland Park

Here at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café, you can find the ‘Frozen Pomegranate Silver Sparkler’ which, to my surprise, had no sparkle (literally and figuratively). Imagine a blend of pomegranate and what seems to taste like raspberries and cranberries with citrus-tasting foam on top to get this tart concoction.  To ease the sourness, I recommend mixing the foam and frozen lemonade together.

Cost: $5.39

Emotion: Anger (where’s the glitter and sparkle?!)

Verdict: Skip and go onto Indiana Jones

Also at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café is the ‘Very Berry Diamond Tea.‘ Are you feeling under the weather? A cold perhaps? Then this thick-consistency (too much syrup perhaps?), cherry cough syrup, berry infused-tasting iced tea is just for you! It unfortunately gets worse with every sip.

Cost: $3.59 or $7.59 with diamond shaped glow cube

Emotion: Disgust (unless you like the taste of cherry syrup!)

Verdict: Skip. Unfortunately, this will not cure the common cold.

Up next is the ‘Blue Monstro Frozen Lemonade’ from Village Haus Restaurant, which is a perfectly sweet and sour blend of cotton candy and lemonade topped with vanilla custard-tasting whipped cream. The unique mix of flavors of this frozen lemonade is definitely a winner in my book!

Cost: $4.99 or $7.99 with glow cube

Emotion: Joy

Verdict: More please!

At the Troubadour Tavern, you can find the ‘Cherry Apple Lemonade’, garnished with a baked apple chip. Although sour, this frozen cherry limeade-tasting drink wasn’t as tart compared to the ‘Pomegranate Sparkler.’ I would say that this was one of the most “plain” of all eight drinks because the cherry and especially apple flavors were quite hidden within the lemonade.

Cost: $5.59

Emotion: Anger (I felt a little cheated!)

Verdict:  I’ll pass. I’m better off with a bag of baked apple chips.

If you’re looking for a pink lemonade with a hint of sweetness, then the ‘Honey Bee Lemonade’ topped with whipped cream at Hungry Bear Restaurant is just for you. It features a honey stick, which absolutely made this beverage worth the buy, giving it the perfect amount of sweetness, crunch, and an organic feel to it. I would suggest mixing the whipped cream and frozen lemonade together for a creamier consistency.

Cost: $5.99

Emotion: Joy

Verdict: I will definitely “bee” back for that honey stick!

Disney California Adventure Park

The ‘Lucky Fortune Tea’ at the Lucky Fortune Cookery was the drink I looked forward to trying the most, but it was literally bittersweet. It consisted of Gold Peak unsweetened iced tea, red passion fruit, and mango flavors along with passion fruit-mango fruit foam. The sweetness of the tea and strong combo of citrus and bitterness was noticeable from the fruit foam. When mixed together, it created a better balance of flavors, taking away some of the bitterness. Although the ‘Lucky Fortune Tea’ was good, it wasn’t the best I’ve had and therefore, not a must-try.

Cost: $4.39

Emotion: Sadness (a little disappointed)

Verdict:  Sorry, but I think I can find better luck with tea elsewhere.

Disneyland Resort Hotels

At White Water Snacks located within the Grand Californian Hotel, you can find the ‘Raspberry Rapids Frozen Lemonade.‘ The raspberry was very faint in flavor and could easily be mistaken for a typical icy pink lemonade. I also had their shredded beef nachos while I was there and because of its sourness, this drink does not pair well with food.

Cost: $4.59

Emotion: Sadness (dissatisfied!)

Verdict:  Not impressed.  Next!

For those who enjoy all sorts of fun surprises, you can find the ‘Party Wave Lemonade’ at Disney’s PCH Grill located inside the Paradise Pier Hotel. It’s made up of Odwalla lemonade, Sprite, and a mix of banana and coconut flavors, topped with whipped cream, garnished with chocolate shavings and a gold-dusted banana chip. It even comes with a crazy straw (not pictured) that kids will surely love. It’s a great bubbly refresher for a hot summer day, giving you that tropical island vibe.

Cost: $5.99

Emotion: Fearless (definitely try this one!)

Verdict: Definitely worth the walk to Paradise Pier Hotel. Unlike some of the other drinks, I actually finished this one!

That’s it folks!  I strongly recommend that you DO NOT drink all of these in one day…I should have known better not to, but it was fun!  Now that you’ve gotten a better glimpse of my emotional roller coaster through these Diamond Celebration drinks, be sure to check out the Disney soundtrack to our emotions as well!