Want to skip the crowds at the restaurant but still have a delicious Valentine’s Day drink? Then you’ll love my copycat version of the Tipsy Cupid from Applebee’s! This refreshing cocktail features a strawberry lemonade flavor just like the signature Mucho sip on Applebee’s Valentine’s drinks menu!
What is Applebee’s Tipsy Cupid?
The Tipsy Cupid is a seasonal cocktail offered by Applebee’s restaurants, one of the world’s largest casual dining brands, typically during February for Valentine’s Day (though some start as early as January).
This vodka lemonade is crafted with premium spirits, including vodka, triple sec, strawberry, premium lemon sour, and lemonade, garnished with gummy red lips, and served in Applebee’s signature Mucho glass.
Depending on the year, the vodka brand used has switched between Tito’s handmade vodka and Smirnoff (but honestly you can use your favorite)! The result is a sweet strawberry lemonade flavored cocktail with just a hint of tartness for a refreshing mixed drink.
This is one of the classic drinks that’s a part of Applebee’s “Smoocho Mucho Sips” promotion, featuring festive drinks for Valentine’s Day.
However, this copycat version allows you to make it at home anytime, so you can enjoy it from the comfort of a living room for date night, Valentine’s, or your Galentine’s Day celebration!
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What’s In a Tipsy Cupid?
- 1 ¼ oz Tito’s vodka
- ¾ oz triple sec
- 2 oz lemon sour mix
- 2 oz Tropicana lemonade
- 1 oz strawberry puree
- Red gummy lips for garnish
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
- Depending on the year, Applebee’s has used both Tito’s and Smirnoff brand vodka in the drink. Use whichever you prefer (or what you have on hand)!
- The triple sec can be swapped for another orange liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier, though this will alter the taste slightly
- Applebee’s uses Tropicana brand lemonade. You can use other brands as desired, but it will affect the flavor slightly (though this is a great way to customize it to your personal tastes)!
- Any strawberry puree works as well, though Finest Call is the brand usually used in the restaurant. You can also make your own strawberry puree at home – check out my Strawberry Lemon Drop for an easy recipe
- The drink comes with a pair of red gummy lips as garnish (though some years it’s been a lemon slice)! My store didn’t have them available, so I’m using red lip lollipops instead as a close substitute!
How to Make Applebee’s Tipsy Cupid
- Fill a goblet style glass (or similar) with ice (crushed or cubes are fine)
- Add the vodka, triple sec, sour mix, lemonade, and strawberry puree to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with a few ice cubes
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into ice-filled glasses
- Garnish with red gummy lips candy (or similar) and enjoy!
- Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop
- Applebee’s Tipsy Zombie Recipe
Pairing Suggestions
The Applebee’s Tipsy Cupid pairs well with a variety of appetizers, entrées, and desserts that highlight its sweet, fruity, and citrusy flavors, and are the perfect accompaniments for date night!
Appetizers
Crispy options like mozzarella sticks, boneless wings (especially honey BBQ or sweet Asian chili), spinach & artichoke dip, or other craveable American fare balance the cocktail’s tart and sweet notes.
The refreshing strawberry-lemonade flavors also go well with bruschetta or shrimp cocktail for a lighter start.
Entrées
For a main course, grilled chicken, seafood, or pasta dishes make excellent choices. Applebee’s Bourbon Street chicken & shrimp, blackened Cajun salmon, or three-cheese chicken penne are a great complement to the drink’s citrus and berry elements.
If you prefer red meat, a classic burger or sirloin steak adds a savory contrast to the sweet cocktail!
Desserts
To finish on a sweet note, strawberry cheesecake, lemon bars, or chocolate lava cake pair beautifully with the Tipsy Cupid’s fruity flavors. Try my recipe for Trader Joe’s Lava Cake in the Air Fryer for an easy at-home option!
For takeout, Applebee’s triple chocolate meltdown or strawberry cheesecake dessert shooter are also great options!
Recipe FAQs
What Does “Served Mucho” Mean at Applebee’s?
At Applebee’s, “served mucho” refers to their signature oversized cocktail glasses, which hold larger-than-average portions of drinks. These cocktails are typically 18-20 ounces, giving guests a more generous serving of their favorite mixed beverages.
The Tipsy Cupid, like other seasonal cocktails, is often served in this signature glass. You can use an iced tea glass or anything similar at home, though!
Does Applebee’s Do To-Go Cocktails?
Applebee’s offers carry-out alcohol in select locations where local laws permit it. Availability varies by state and restaurant, so it’s best to check with your local Applebee’s to see if you can order the Tipsy Cupid or other cocktails for takeout.
Some locations may require food purchases or sealed containers for transport. If you don’t want to dine-in, this copycat recipe allows you to order takeout or delivery of the great food, and prepare the drink at home while you wait!
Can You Make a Non-Alcoholic Version?
Yes! To make a non-alcoholic Tipsy Cupid, replace the vodka with lemon-lime soda, club soda, or a splash of non-alcoholic spirit. Use a non-alcoholic triple sec syrup, or swap in some orange juice instead.
Mix with strawberry lemonade and a squeeze of fresh lemon, sour mix, or lime juice for a refreshing mocktail version.
Pro Tips For the Best Tipsy Cupid
- This drink is on the sweeter side. If you want a less sweet drink, you can use fresh lemon juice instead of half the lemonade (or use an unsweetened version). You can also cut sweetness by adding unsweetened lemon or strawberry sparkling water, which adds a fizzy finish!
- Customize the strength of the drink by adding more vodka if desired – that’s the beauty of making it at home, so you can add what you want instead of sticking to the restaurant recipe!
- Since this recipe uses strawberry puree, there will naturally be a little foam/fruit sediment on the drink. If you don’t like it, you can skim it off with a spoon, or pour the cocktail through cheesecloth to strain it!
Serving and Presentation Tips
- If you want to skip the red candy lips, you can use a slice of lemon instead for garnish. A fresh strawberry is another nice choice, though not traditional to the restaurant recipe!
- Applebee’s serves the Tipsy Cupid in their signature Mucho glass. You can use anything similar, like a water goblet or iced tea glass, or a red wine glass, martini glass, or hurricane works well if you don’t have those
- Feel free to scale up a large batch for parties. Mix everything together in a pitcher or punch bowl and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Pour into individual glasses with ice to serve!
More Valentine’s Day Cocktails
- Pink Lady French 75
- Red Velvet Martini
Final Thoughts
Skip the dining room and enjoy a Tipsy Cupid from Applebee’s neighborhood grill right at home! Whether you’re enjoying this perfect premium cocktail for date night, Valentine’s, or a Galentine’s celebration, the sweet strawberry lemonade flavored mixed drink is sure to be a crowd pleaser right from the first sip.
You can even order delivery from your local restaurant and make the cocktail just the way you like while you wait! It allows for greater customization, plus you don’t have to leave home to enjoy a delicious drink. Who knew the ultimate date night destination could be your kitchen?
Applebee’s mucho cocktails are fun, affordable seasonal offerings, and this Tipsy Cupid is what the bar serves during the most romantic time of the year! Of course, you can enjoy one of these tasty strawberry cocktails anytime for an ultimate night in thanks to this copycat version.
Tipsy Cupid (Applebee’s Copycat Drink Recipe)
Equipment
- Goblet glass (or similar)
- Shaker (or similar)
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ ounces Tito's vodka
- ¾ ounce triple sec
- 2 ounces lemon sour mix
- 2 ounces Tropicana lemonade
- 1 ounce strawberry puree
- 1 piece red gummy lips (for garnish)
Instructions
- Fill your glass with ice (crushed or cubes)
- Add all drink ingredients to a cocktail shaker (or similar) along with a few ice cubes1 ¼ ounces Tito's vodka, ¾ ounce triple sec, 2 ounces lemon sour mix, 2 ounces Tropicana lemonade, 1 ounce strawberry puree
- Shake until well chilled and lightly frothy, about 15-20 seconds, then strain into prepared glasses
- Garnish if desired and enjoy!1 piece red gummy lips
Notes
- Depending on the year, Applebee’s has used both Tito’s and Smirnoff brand vodka in the drink. Use whichever you prefer (or what you have on hand)!
- The triple sec can be swapped for another orange liqueur like Cointreau or Grand Marnier, though this will alter the taste slightly
- Applebee’s uses Tropicana brand lemonade. You can use other brands, but it will change the flavor slightly
- Any strawberry puree is fine – Finest Call is the brand usually used in the restaurant. You can also make your own strawberry puree at home if preferred
- You can also use a lemon slice or a different lip-shaped candy for garnish
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any garnishes added, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
Nutrition
