Applebee’s Halloween 2024 Cocktails Ranked: From Dracula’s Juice to the $1 Dollar Zombie

Applebee’s has unveiled its 2024 Halloween cocktail menu, featuring spooky, affordable drinks like the $1 Dollar Zombie and Boo-zy Buckets. With festive presentations and a mix of flavors, these seasonal cocktails deliver fun and value, perfect for celebrating Halloween at the bar this year.

Applebee’s Brings Back $1 Halloween Cocktails, Featuring Spooky Favorites Like Dracula’s Juice and Dollar Zombie

The bar at Applebee's has long been known for its affordable and fun cocktails, and the return of the annual Halloween drink menu proves the chain continues to live up to its reputation. As of October 1, 2024, Applebee's has brought back a fan-favorite feature: the $1 cocktail, alongside a spooky array of other themed drinks, including the Boo Lagoon, Franken Mama Boo-zy Bucket, and Dracula's Juice Boo-zy Bucket. These drinks are affordable but also festive and creative, perfect for celebrating the season.

Here’s a breakdown and ranking of Applebee's 2024 Halloween cocktails based on taste, presentation, and price:

4. Franken-Mama Boo-zy Bucket

The Franken-Mama is one of Applebee's Boo-zy Buckets, a massive 32-ounce cocktail served in a literal bucket. Priced at $10, it’s on the higher end of the menu but doesn't deliver the best experience. Made with Bacardi Rum, melon liqueur, and flavors like passion fruit, pineapple, cherry, and lime, the drink has a visually appealing green and blue gradient, topped with a gummy brain for extra flair.

Despite its beautiful presentation, the Franken-Mama needs to improve in taste. It comes off as overly sweet, almost like drinking melted gummies with no complexity or nuance. The cloying sweetness, while expected from Halloween cocktails, goes a step too far, making this one difficult to enjoy for the price.

3. Boo Lagoon

The Boo Lagoon offers a tropical escape from the Halloween theme, with Bacardi rum, Malibu Coconut rum, and blue curaçao mixed with pineapple juice. The flavors are reminiscent of a piña colada, minus the creamy texture. For $5, this cocktail is packed with alcohol and comes at a very reasonable price for its size.

However, it doesn't quite fit the Halloween theme. Its tropical flavors and oceanic blue-green color make it look and taste more like a summer cocktail. While delicious and refreshing, it lacks the spooky flair of some other menu options.

2. Dracula's Juice Boo-zy Bucket

The Dracula's Juice Boo-zy Bucket is where things get a little more exciting. Priced at $10, like the Franken-Mama, this Boo-zy Bucket brings a punch with Patron tequila, Ole Smoky Blackberry Moonshine, and triple sec, alongside strawberry and lemon flavors. The result is a fruity, vibrant drink that tastes like an adult fruit punch.

With its blood-red color and gummy brain garnish, Dracula's Juice feels the most "Halloween" of the bunch. It’s delicious and potent, making it a strong contender for the top spot. However, the sweetness is more balanced and doesn’t overwhelm the palate like the Franken-Mama. It’s easy to drink, so caution is advised — it’s a bucket!

1. Dollar Zombie

Taking the top spot is the Dollar Zombie, a full-sized cocktail at an unbeatable price of $1. Given its budget-friendly cost, this blue cocktail is fruity, fun, and surprisingly flavorful. It is made with rum and features a mix of passion fruit, pineapple, cherry, and lime. The pineapple dominates the flavor profile, but hints of blue raspberry complement it, and the drink is topped with a gummy brain to keep things festive.

What makes the Dollar Zombie stand out is its incredible value. For just $1, it delivers a full-sized drink that’s easy to sip and enjoy without breaking the bank. While it doesn’t have the spookiest presentation, it checks all the boxes for a sweet, affordable, and enjoyable Halloween cocktail.

Overall, Applebee's 2024 Halloween drink lineup offers a range of fun and affordable options, perfect for getting into the spooky spirit without spending a fortune. From the massive Boo-zy Buckets to the unbeatable Dollar Zombie, there’s something for everyone, and the mix of flavors and themes ensures a festive time at the bar this Halloween season.