Applebee’s drink menu in 2026 features signature cocktails like the Perfect Margarita and Long Island Iced Tea, rotating $6 Mucho specials, $10 Don Julio Poolio margaritas, the $1 DOLLARITA® in July, and non-alcoholic options ranging from $1.99 fountain drinks to $6.49 specialty mocktails. Prices and availability vary by location.
Applebee’s has built its bar menu around two things: variety and value. Whether you’re after a handcrafted margarita, a tropical rum cocktail, or an alcohol-free mocktail, the Neighborhood Grill + Bar keeps a mix of permanent classics and limited-time seasonal drinks in rotation. Below is a complete breakdown of what’s currently on the menu, what it costs, and how to get the most out of it.
What Is on Applebee’s Drink Menu With Prices?
Applebee’s drink menu includes signature cocktails ($8–$15 typically, per secondary pricing sources), $6 seasonal Mucho specials, $10 premium Don Julio margaritas, and non-alcoholic drinks from $1.99–$6.49. Applebee’s does not publish a single national price list, so exact costs depend on your location.
| Drink Category | Examples | Typical Price Range |
| Non-alcoholic (fountain, tea, lemonade) | Fountain Drinks, Brewed Iced Tea | $1.99 |
| Specialty non-alcoholic | Dirty Fountain Sodas, Triple Cherry Shirley | $4.49–$6.49 |
| Smoothies | Fruit Smoothies | $3.29–$3.99 |
| Seasonal Mucho cocktails | Bacardí Blushing Dragon, Adiós | $6.00 |
| Premium tequila cocktails | Backflippin’ Blue, Prickly Plunge, Poolios | $10.00 |
| Limited-time promo | DOLLARITA® (July only) | $1.00 |
| Signature/classic cocktails | Perfect Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea, Shark Bowl | Varies by location |
Because Applebee’s is largely franchise-operated, menu prices, drink availability, and even which cocktails appear on a given menu can shift from one restaurant to the next. Use the “Find My Applebee’s” tool on applebees.com to check pricing at your specific location.
What’s New on Applebee’s Drink Menu in 2026?
In 2026, Applebee’s introduced the Poolio margaritas (Sunny Sipper and Belly Floppin’ Melon Margarita) made with Don Julio and served in a reusable cup, plus the $6 Bacardí Blushing Dragon Mucho, the Lemon Berry Sunshine charity cocktail, and Red Bull-based mocktails like the Prickly Melon Rush.
Recent additions and seasonal rotations include:
- Poolio with Don Julio: Two new $10 margaritas the Sunny Sipper Margarita (Don Julio Reposado, Malibu Coconut Rum, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, lime) and the Belly Floppin’ Melon Margarita (Don Julio Reposado, Smirnoff Vodka, triple sec, watermelon, lime) both served in a keepsake Poolio cup you keep after finishing your drink.
- Bacardí Blushing Dragon Mucho ($6, 310 calories): Bacardí Superior Rum, dragon fruit, premium lemon sour, and lemonade.
- Backflippin’ Blue Margarita ($10, 470 calories) and Prickly Plunge Margarita ($10, 380 calories): Both made with Don Julio Reposado Tequila.
- Lemon Berry Sunshine: A cocktail tied to a fundraising campaign Applebee’s donates 50 cents per sale to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for childhood cancer research.
- Mucho Adiós and Watermelon Mana Margarita ($6 each): Spring/beach-season cocktails, the latter featuring Dwayne Johnson’s Teremana Tequila Blanco.
- Prickly Melon Rush and Watermelon Lime Rush: New non-alcoholic Red Bull-based mocktails.
What Is Applebee’s $5 (or $6) Drink of the Month?
Applebee’s runs a rotating discounted cocktail promotion, often called “Mucho” specials, typically priced at $6 rather than a fixed $5. These change seasonally recent examples include the Bacardí Blushing Dragon Mucho and the Adiós and are available nationwide “while supplies last,” subject to local participation.
Unlike a single fixed “$5 drink of the month,” Applebee’s national promotions have generally landed at the $6 price point in 2026. These Mucho specials rotate roughly every one to two months and are tied to seasonal themes (spring break, summer, holidays). Check Applebee’s official specials page for the current featured drink, since older or discontinued promotions (like past $5 offers) are not guaranteed to return at the same price.
What Alcoholic Drink Specials Does Applebee’s Currently Offer?
Applebee’s alcohol specials include the $1 DOLLARITA® (July only), $6 seasonal Mucho cocktails, $10 Don Julio-based margaritas (Poolios, Backflippin’ Blue, Prickly Plunge), and permanent menu staples like the Perfect Margarita, Shark Bowl, and Long Island Iced Tea variations.
- DOLLARITA®: $1 margarita made with tequila, triple sec, and lime available all day, every day throughout July, dine-in only.
- Poolios: $10 Don Julio-based margaritas served in a reusable cup.
- Mucho specials: $6 rotating cocktails featuring Bacardí, Smirnoff, or Teremana spirits.
- Permanent cocktails: Perfect Margarita (a menu fixture since 1993, made with 1800 Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, and lime), Top Shelf and Blue Hawaiian Long Island Iced Teas, Captain Bahama Mama, and the Shark Bowl.
All alcohol specials require guests to be 21+, are dine-in only in most cases (except where local law permits carry-out alcohol), and participation varies by franchise location.
What Non-Alcoholic Drinks Does Applebee’s Offer?
Applebee’s non-alcoholic menu includes fountain drinks and brewed iced tea ($1.99), flavored lemonades and iced teas ($2.49), Red Bull ($2.49), fruit smoothies ($3.29–$3.99), Dirty Fountain Sodas ($4.49), and the Triple Cherry Shirley ($6.49, 180 calories).
| Drink | Price | Calories |
| Fountain Drinks | $1.99 | |
| Brewed Iced Tea | $1.99 | 5 |
| Bottled Water | $1.99 | 0 |
| Flavored Lemonade / Iced Tea | $2.49 | |
| Red Bull | $2.49 | |
| Fruit Smoothies | $3.29–$3.99 | |
| Dirty Fountain Sodas | $4.49 | |
| Triple Cherry Shirley | $6.49 | 180 |
Seasonal mocktails like the Prickly Melon Rush and Watermelon Lime Rush (both Red Bull-based) also rotate onto the menu, giving non-drinkers festive options alongside the alcoholic specials.
Which Applebee’s Cocktails Are Ranked Highest by Reviewers?
According to Tasting Table’s 2026 ranking of Applebee’s cocktails, the Passion Fruit Mezcal Rita took the top spot, followed by the Golden Goose and the Blue Hawaiian Long Island Iced Tea. The Top Shelf Long Island Iced Tea ranked lowest among the seven cocktails tested.
- 1. Passion Fruit Mezcal Rita Dos Hombres Mezcal, Teremana Blanco Tequila, triple sec, passion fruit, lime (limited-time)
- 2. Golden Goose Grey Goose vodka, triple sec, mango, lemon sour, golden sugar rim
- 3. Blue Hawaiian Long Island Iced Tea Smirnoff, Malibu Coconut, Tanqueray, pineapple juice, blue curaçao
- 4. Shark Bowl Captain Morgan, tropical blue blend, garnished with a gummy shark
- 5. Captain Bahama Mama Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Malibu Coconut, crème de banana, pineapple and orange juice
- 6. Perfect Margarita 1800 Reposado Tequila, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, lime
- 7. Top Shelf Long Island Iced Tea Smirnoff, Bacardi, Tanqueray, triple sec, Pepsi
Best Drinks by Need
- On a budget: DOLLARITA® in July ($1), or fountain drinks and iced tea ($1.99)
- Lowest calorie: Bottled Water (0 cal) and Brewed Iced Tea (5 cal)
- Groups/sharing: Shark Bowl or the 1-gallon beverage option (serves 6–8)
- Non-drinkers wanting something festive: Prickly Melon Rush or Watermelon Lime Rush mocktails
- Premium/celebratory: Poolio margaritas with Don Julio, served in a keepsake cup
How to Pair Applebee’s Drinks With Food
Fruity, rum-based cocktails like the Captain Bahama Mama or Bacardí Blushing Dragon Mucho pair well with lighter fare, such as the Fiesta Lime Chicken or seafood options. Bolder cocktails like the Long Island Iced Tea variations stand up well against shareable appetizers, including boneless wings or the Brew Pub Pretzels. Margaritas are a natural match with Applebee’s Mexican-inspired dishes.
A Few Practical Notes Before You Order
- Age requirement: All alcoholic drinks require guests to be 21 or older.
- Availability: Seasonal specials are offered “while supplies last” and participation varies by location.
- Dine-in only: Most alcohol specials, including the DOLLARITA® and Mucho drinks, are limited to dine-in, except where local law allows carry-out alcohol.
- Happy hour: Many locations offer discounted drinks ($3–$6) on weekdays from roughly 3–6 PM and again during late-night hours, though this is set at the franchise level and isn’t guaranteed everywhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DOLLARITA® available year-round?
No. The $1 DOLLARITA® is a limited-time promotion that has historically run during July, tied to Independence Day. It’s available all day, every day during that month, but only at participating locations.
How many calories are in Applebee’s Backflippin’ Blue Margarita?
The Backflippin’ Blue Margarita contains 470 calories, making it one of the higher-calorie specialty cocktails currently listed on Applebee’s official specials page.
Does Applebee’s charge extra for the Poolio cup?
Applebee’s markets the Poolio margaritas as $10 drinks that include a reusable cup guests keep afterward; no separate cup upcharge is listed on the official promotional page.
What’s the lowest-calorie alcoholic drink at Applebee’s?
Applebee’s does not publish a full calorie list for all cocktails, but among specials with confirmed data, the Prickly Plunge Margarita (380 calories) is lower than the Backflippin’ Blue Margarita (470 calories).
Are Applebee’s fountain drinks refillable?
According to third-party menu trackers, most Applebee’s locations offer free refills on fountain sodas and brewed iced tea, though this can vary by franchise.
What percentage of Lemon Berry Sunshine sales go to charity?
Applebee’s donates 50 cents from every Lemon Berry Sunshine sold to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, which supports childhood cancer research.
Which Applebee’s cocktail has been on the menu the longest?
The Perfect Margarita has been part of Applebee’s cocktail lineup since 1993, according to Tasting Table’s reporting, making it one of the chain’s longest-running drink offerings.
Can I get Applebee’s drink specials through delivery or carry-out?
Most alcohol-based specials, including the DOLLARITA® and Mucho drinks, are limited to dine-in only, except in areas where local law permits carry-out alcohol sales.
What spirits are used in Applebee’s Watermelon Mana Margarita?
The Watermelon Mana Margarita is made with Teremana Tequila Blanco (Dwayne Johnson’s tequila brand), triple sec, watermelon, and lime.
Does Applebee’s have a kids’ drink menu?
Yes. Applebee’s kids’ menu includes non-alcoholic beverages alongside food items, though specific kids’ drink pricing (such as the $4 Kids Chicken Quesadilla combo) is bundled with meal options rather than sold as standalone drinks.
