Casual restaurant chain Applebee’s is known for the fun seasonal alcoholic drinks, and Halloween is no exception! This copycat version of Applebee’s Dracula Juice is a delicious frozen rum-based cocktail that you can sink your teeth into at home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Dracula Juice is the perfect mix of fun in a boozy sip, blending frozen lemonade with deep red swirl from a mix of cranberry and raspberry. It’s ideal for Halloween parties, spooky movie nights, or just a themed night in!
It’s also sweet, fruity, and easy to sip, so even people who don’t love strong cocktails can enjoy it. While it’s inspired by the popular Applebee’s restaurants drink, you can recreate it at home here, so that it’s easy to customize – you don’t get that in a restaurant!
I also love that you can enjoy this seasonal sip anytime, no waiting for October required. If this is one of your cocktail menu favorites, you can make it year round!
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Ingredients List
- 2 ounces Bacardí Superior rum
- ½ ounce DeKuyper Razzmatazz
- ½ ounce Ocean Spray cranberry cocktail
- 1 ounce frozen lemonade concentrate
- 5 fresh blackberries
- Ice
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Applebee’s uses Bacardi rum specifically, but you can use any white rum you like (the flavor may differ slightly though). Same for the Razzmatazz – any raspberry liqueur works (Chambord is another popular option)
- The restaurant uses cranberry cocktail which is sweetened. For a less sweet drink, you could substitute 100% cranberry juice instead
Variations
Applebee’s has had a couple different versions of the Dracula Juice cocktail over the years. While my favorite is the one I’m making here (the original from around 2018-ish), you can certainly try the other fruity drinks too!
One version available in 2021 featured a layered mix of 1 ounce tequila blended with 1 ounce frozen margarita mix, and then 1 ounce white rum blended with 1 ounce of wildberry syrup (and a cup or so of ice).
The newest offering is one of Applebee’s boo-zy buckets called the Dracula’s Juice bucket, featuring Patron silver tequila (1 ounce), triple sec (½ ounce), Ole Smoky blackberry moonshine (½ ounce), and strawberry lemonade (3-4 ounces, or to taste).
All the versions generally have a lemon/citrus component and a fruity red berry component, with varying liquors. You can experiment to find your favorite!
Step By Step Instructions
- In a large Mucho glass (or similar) combine the Razzmatazz and cranberry juice
- To a blender, add the frozen lemonade concentrate, rum, and ice. Blend until a slushie consistency forms
- Slowly pour into the glass with the red juice mixture, layering in 4 of the blackberries as you go
- Add the last blackberry on top to garnish (and anything else you like – gummy fangs are a fun touch) and enjoy!
Pairing Suggestions
Savory Pairings
- Buffalo wings or boneless bites – Applebee’s classic vibe with a spicy kick!
- Chicken quesadillas – Cheesy, melty, and great with fruity cocktails
- Loaded nachos or taco cups – Salt and spice balance the drink’s sweetness. For a seasonal option, try my Halloween Nachos recipe!
- Garlic parmesan fries – A rich, savory contrast to the cool slush.
- Shrimp tacos – Tropical flavors tie in perfectly with the piña colada base.
Sweet Options
- Red velvet cupcakes – Lean into the “vampire” aesthetic
- Chocolate-dipped strawberries – Dramatic and decadent. Try some Strawberry Ghosts for a Halloween theme!
- Gummy fangs or “blood” gummies – Playful for parties
- Vampire Fudge – A no bake sweet treat that fits with the theme!
Halloween-Themed Pairings
- Mummy jalapeño poppers
- Spiderweb taco dip
- Charcuterie board with “vampire bites” cheese (drizzled with jam)
- Black tortilla chips with salsa or queso
- Mini meatballs with “bloody” marinara sauce
Recipe FAQs
What Are the Halloween Drinks at Applebee’s?
Applebee’s releases a limited-time “Spooky Sips” lineup of Halloween cocktails each season, usually featuring two themed cocktails. Past offerings have included Dracula’s Juice, the Tipsy Zombie, Witches Brew, Vampiriña, and the Vampire.
Each year the lineup changes, but they tend to be colorful, fun, and rum or tequila-based.
What Is the Vampire Drink at Applebee’s?
Applebee’s has featured a few vampire-themed cocktails over the years. The original Vampire was a purple rum-based drink with strawberry, dragonfruit, and passion fruit flavor and plastic teeth.
Dracula’s Juice became a fan favorite, combining a frozen margarita and piña colada with a red “blood” swirl, or lemonade with cranberry and raspberry. Some years, variations like Vampiriña or berry-rum mixes replaced them, but they all keep the same spooky, sweet aesthetic.
Can I Make This Drink a Mocktail?
Yes! You can create a non-alcoholic version by blending frozen lemonade with ice or some fresh lemonade, then swirling in a berry or cherry syrup for the “blood” effect. Serve it in the same layered style and garnish it the same way for a festive, kid-friendly version.
Tips For the Best Dracula Juice Cocktail
- For a larger batch, use the whole can of frozen lemonade concentrate, add 4-6 ounces rum (depending on strength preferences), and anywhere from 2-4 cups of ice, depending how thick you like it
- You can definitely adjust the strength by using more rum as desired. To reduce sweetness, use some lemon juice instead of some of the lemonade concentrate (or add extra ice to dilute). You can also use unsweetened cranberry juice – that’s the beauty of making it at home compared to the restaurant!
Serving and Presentation
- This drink is typically served in Applebee’s signature Mucho glass. If you don’t have one, try a similar option such as a large juice or iced tea glass, or a hurricane instead
- Garnish with vampire teeth or gummy fangs for an optional playful touch
- Add black or red straws to match the Halloween theme!
- For extra drama, rim the glass with red sugar, black sanding sugar, or “bloody” red syrup
- Serve on a dark tray or with dry ice nearby to create a foggy, vampire-lair vibe!
- If batching, offer it in a pitcher with the swirl separately and let guests scoop or pour into spooky cups
- Tipsy Zombie
Final Thoughts
This Applebee’s Dracula Juice recipe is copycat is a dupe of the Halloween beverage, made easily at home! You can customize it just to your liking, or even enjoy it out of season – that’s the beauty of a copycat!
It’s all treats and no tricks here, with lemon and berry flavors in a fun frozen drink perfect for your adult Halloween party (or omit the alcohol and make a fun kid-friendly version too).
You could even replicate the entire spooky sips menu, serving it alongside a Boo Lagoon, Franken-Mama bucket, or a Tipsy Zombie complete with gummi brain garnish.
For more great cocktails to make this season, check out all of my Rum Halloween Cocktails for all the spooky sips. Happy Halloween!
Applebee’s Dracula Juice Copycat Recipe
Equipment
- Goblet glass (or similar)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Bacardi Superior rum
- ½ ounce DeKuyper Razzmatazz
- ½ ounce Ocean Spray cranberry cocktail
- 1 ounce frozen lemonade concentrate
- 1-2 cups ice cubes
- 5 fresh blackberries
Instructions
- In a large Mucho glass (or similar) combine the Razzmatazz and cranberry juice½ ounce DeKuyper Razzmatazz, ½ ounce Ocean Spray cranberry cocktail
- To your blender basin, add the frozen lemonade concentrate, rum, and ice (about a cup, or to your preference). Blend until a slushie consistency forms – you can add more ice or thin with water/lemonade as needed to adjust consistency2 ounces Bacardi Superior rum, 1 ounce frozen lemonade concentrate, 1-2 cups ice cubes
- Slowly pour into the glass with the red juice mixture, layering in 4 of the blackberries along the outside edge of the glass as you go5 fresh blackberries
- Add the last blackberry on top to garnish (and anything else you like – gummy fangs are a fun touch) and enjoy!
Notes
- Applebee’s uses Bacardi rum specifically, but you can use any white rum you like (the flavor may differ slightly though). Same for the Razzmatazz – any raspberry liqueur works (Chambord is another popular option). Feel free to adjust amounts to taste if you like a stronger drink!
- The restaurant uses cranberry cocktail which is sweetened. For a less sweet drink, you could substitute 100% cranberry juice instead, or add some fresh lemon juice in place of some of the concentrate
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any sauces or garnishes added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
