Tipsy Reindeer Drink: Craft the Perfect Applebee’s Copycat Holiday Cocktail at Home
If you’re a fan of Applebee’s festive offerings, you’re likely familiar with their fantastic drink specials, often served in those iconic Mucho glasses! While a trip to your local Applebee’s is always a good time, there’s something truly special about recreating your favorite sips right in your own kitchen. This allows you to customize every aspect to your exact preference, from sweetness to strength. That’s precisely why I adore this Tipsy Reindeer drink copycat recipe for the holiday season!
What is Applebee’s Tipsy Reindeer and Why Make it at Home?
The Applebee’s Tipsy Reindeer is a beloved, vibrant, and incredibly festive holiday cocktail that regularly graces the chain’s Sleigh Bell Sips menu. It’s one of their standout limited-time offers, known for bringing a touch of holiday magic to your dining experience.
This delightful punch-style drink typically features a harmonious blend of premium spirits and fruity mixers. The current recipe often includes Smirnoff vodka, crisp Ocean Spray cranberry juice, sweet grenadine, and a tangy kick from premium lemon sour. However, the Tipsy Reindeer has seen some delightful transformations over the years; in past seasons, instead of grenadine, this concoction was crafted with passionfruit syrup or a luscious strawberry puree, offering varied fruity notes that kept fans eagerly awaiting its return each year.
Beyond its delicious taste, the Tipsy Reindeer is instantly recognizable by its whimsical presentation. It’s traditionally crowned with a fun, festive Santa gummy, adding a playful touch of holiday cheer that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of the season. And, of course, it’s served in Applebee’s signature Mucho glass, making it feel extra special, though any large goblet or hurricane glass will do perfectly fine at home.
While this enchanting cocktail is only available for a limited time during the holiday season at Applebee’s, you can keep the festive spirit alive all year long with my easy copycat recipe! One of the biggest advantages of making it yourself is the freedom to adjust the strength and sweetness. If you’ve ever felt that the restaurant version was a little too “watered down” or not quite to your liking, this homemade rendition puts you in complete control, ensuring your Tipsy Reindeer is absolutely perfect every time.
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Tipsy Reindeer Ingredients: The Heart of Your Holiday Cocktail
Crafting your own Tipsy Reindeer is surprisingly straightforward, requiring just a few key ingredients to achieve that signature Applebee’s flavor profile. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
- 2 ounces Smirnoff vodka: The foundation of our spirited holiday drink.
- 1 ½ ounces Ocean Spray cranberry juice: Providing the iconic tart and vibrant red hue.
- ½ ounce grenadine: A touch of sweet, fruity depth and a boost to the festive color.
- 3 ounces lemon sour rocks mix: For that essential tangy balance that cuts through the sweetness.
- Santa gummy for garnish: The whimsical, official Applebee’s touch!
Ingredient Tips and Smart Substitutions
- While Applebee’s traditionally uses Smirnoff vodka for its neutral profile, don’t hesitate to use your preferred brand. I often opt for smooth options like Pinnacle or Tito’s, which both work wonderfully without overpowering the other flavors. The key is a good quality, unflavored vodka.
- The choice of cranberry juice significantly impacts the drink’s sweetness. Ocean Spray is the classic, but feel free to use any brand. I personally prefer 100% unsweetened cranberry juice as it gives you greater control over the overall sweetness level of your cocktail. If you prefer a sweeter base from the start, a cranberry cocktail blend (which already contains added sugar) is an excellent alternative.
- Grenadine adds a lovely red color and a sweet, slightly tart, berry-like flavor. If you find yourself without grenadine, a readily available and surprisingly effective substitute is maraschino cherry juice. While not identical, it offers a similar color and a sweet, fruity note that works well in a pinch.
Tipsy Reindeer: Historical Variations to Explore
As mentioned, the Tipsy Reindeer recipe has evolved over time, offering different flavor experiences to holiday enthusiasts. If you’re looking to replicate older versions of this festive cocktail, you can easily swap out the grenadine for other fruity syrups or purees. These variations offer a delightful twist on the classic:
Instead of the grenadine, which represents a more recent iteration of the recipe, consider using ½ ounce of Monin red passion fruit syrup. This will introduce a tropical, tangy, and slightly floral dimension to your drink, creating a more exotic “Tipsy Reindeer.” Alternatively, for a lush, sweet, and intensely fruity profile, try ½ ounce of Finest Call strawberry puree. Both Monin and Finest Call are frequently used by Applebee’s and other bars, so they will give you an authentic flavor closest to their previous recipes. Of course, any good quality brand of passion fruit syrup or strawberry puree will work if those specific brands aren’t available.
Kid-Friendly Fun: The Mocktail Variation
Looking for a festive drink that everyone in the family can enjoy, including the little ones or those avoiding alcohol? My Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzer offers all the holiday cheer without the spirits! It’s specifically designed to mimic the delightful flavor profile of the Tipsy Reindeer but with a family-friendly twist. This refreshing mocktail is typically crafted using a base of bright orange juice and topped with a sparkling soda like ginger ale or a lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite). The combination delivers a sweet, tangy, and fizzy experience that’s incredibly similar to its alcoholic counterpart, making it a perfect addition to any holiday gathering where diverse palates are present.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Mix Your Way to Holiday Cheer
Creating your Tipsy Reindeer at home is a quick and simple process, ensuring you spend less time mixing and more time enjoying the festivities. Follow these easy steps:
- Prepare Your Glassware: Begin by filling your chosen goblet (or a similar large glass like a hurricane glass) generously with ice. Whether you prefer crushed ice for a faster chill or cubes for slower dilution, make sure your glass is frosty cold.
- Combine Ingredients in a Shaker: Into a cocktail shaker, add your Smirnoff vodka, Ocean Spray cranberry juice, grenadine, and lemon sour mix. Toss in a few additional ice cubes to ensure everything gets thoroughly chilled.
- Shake and Strain: Secure the lid on your shaker and vigorously shake for about 20-30 seconds. You want the mixture to be well chilled and slightly frothy. Then, strain the colorful concoction directly into your ice-filled goblet.
- Garnish and Serve: Complete your festive drink by carefully placing a gummy Santa on the rim or directly into the drink. Serve immediately and enjoy your homemade Applebee’s Tipsy Reindeer!
Explore More Applebee’s Copycat Recipes
Tipsy Cupid: Applebee’s Copycat Valentines Cocktail!
Tipsy Leprechaun Drink: Applebee’s Copycat Cocktail!
- Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop: A zesty and sweet blue cocktail, perfect for a refreshing treat.
- Dracula Juice Applebee’s Recipe: A mysterious and flavorful concoction, ideal for Halloween festivities.
- Applebee’s Tipsy Zombie Recipe: A spooky and potent drink that’s a hit for any ghoulish gathering.
Tipsy Reindeer Recipe FAQs
How Much Does The Tipsy Reindeer Cost at Applebee’s?
Applebee’s typically offers this seasonal cocktail for around $6, positioning it as an accessible and festive indulgence during the holidays. However, it’s worth noting that enjoying this delicious drink at home using a copycat recipe like ours is significantly more cost-effective, especially if you plan to make multiple servings or enjoy it frequently throughout the season. Keep in mind that prices can vary slightly depending on your specific location and any ongoing promotions.
Is The Tipsy Reindeer Available for To-Go Orders?
The availability of the Tipsy Reindeer for to-go orders is largely dependent on local liquor laws and the specific policies of individual Applebee’s locations. Alcohol regulations vary widely by state and municipality, so it’s always best to contact your nearest restaurant directly to inquire about their specific details regarding alcoholic beverages for takeout. If it turns out that this delightful drink isn’t available for to-go orders in your area, don’t despair! You can easily whip up this copycat version at home and enjoy the same great taste and festive spirit.
What Does The Tipsy Reindeer Taste Like?
This enchanting cocktail boasts a refreshingly tart and vibrant flavor profile, primarily thanks to its generous base of cranberry juice perfectly balanced with a tangy lemon sour mix. The addition of vodka provides a smooth, subtle warming kick without being overly aggressive, making it an approachable drink for many. Depending on the specific variation (grenadine, passion fruit, or strawberry puree), you’ll also experience a delightful fruity twist that adds just the right amount of sweetness and complexity, making each sip a burst of festive flavor.
Is This Drink Part Of A Holiday Promotion at Applebee’s?
Yes, absolutely! The Tipsy Reindeer is a cornerstone of Applebee’s seasonal holiday promotion, famously known as “Sleigh Bell Sips.” This popular annual event typically features a curated selection of two festive alcoholic beverages available for a limited time exclusively during the holiday season. In recent years, the Tipsy Reindeer has often been paired with another delightful creation, such as the Merry Berry Colada, offering guests a choice of celebratory drinks to enjoy.
Does Applebee’s Offer Any Other Holiday Drinks?
Applebee’s is well-known for its creative and seasonal drink offerings beyond just the Tipsy Reindeer. Historically, they’ve also featured a “Tipsy Snowman” as part of their winter lineup, though this has sometimes been replaced or updated, as seen with the introduction of the Merry Berry Colada in recent promotions. Furthermore, Applebee’s extends its themed drink specials to other major holidays throughout the year, celebrating occasions like Valentine’s Day with the “Tipsy Cupid,” St. Patrick’s Day with the “Tipsy Leprechaun,” and Halloween with the “Tipsy Zombie,” ensuring there’s always a fun, themed drink to look forward to.
Pro Tips for Crafting the Best Tipsy Reindeer Drink
Elevate your homemade Tipsy Reindeer from good to truly exceptional with these expert tips:
- Mastering the Strength: The beauty of making this “drunken Rudolph” drink at home is your complete control over its potency. Feel free to adjust the strength by adding more or less vodka to suit your preference. As written in the recipe, it delivers a pleasant low to medium strength sip, where the alcohol is present but not overwhelmingly forward, allowing the fruity flavors to shine.
- Perfecting the Sweetness: Tailoring the sweetness level is simple. If you desire a sweeter cocktail, you can opt for a cranberry cocktail instead of 100% unsweetened cranberry juice as your base. Alternatively, you can simply tweak the amount of grenadine (or the strawberry puree or passion fruit syrup, depending on which variation you’re using) to achieve your ideal balance. Always taste and adjust!
- Chill Your Ingredients: For the most refreshing drink, try to chill all your liquid ingredients (vodka, cranberry juice, sour mix) in the refrigerator before mixing. This will result in a colder drink that dilutes slower, preserving its vibrant flavor.
- Fresh is Best: While not strictly necessary, using freshly squeezed lemon juice in place of some or all of the lemon sour mix can add a brighter, more natural acidity to your cocktail.
Serving Suggestions and Festive Garnishes
Make your homemade Tipsy Reindeer truly shine with these presentation and serving ideas:
- Garnish Galore: The traditional garnish for Applebee’s version of this drink is, of course, a charming gummy Santa. However, don’t limit your creativity! You could also use fresh or frozen cranberries for a pop of color and an extra tart bite, bright red maraschino cherries, a fragrant sprig of rosemary for an aromatic touch, or a simple slice of lemon to highlight the citrus notes. Each option adds its own unique flair to your “drunk reindeer” cocktail!
- Choosing the Right Glassware: Applebee’s famously serves the Tipsy Reindeer in their distinctive Mucho glasses, known for their generous size and festive appearance. For your home bar, I find that water goblets are an excellent substitute, offering a similar elegant shape and capacity. Other fantastic options include a classic hurricane glass, which mimics the Mucho glass’s tall, curvaceous design, or even a large red wine glass for a touch of sophisticated holiday charm.
- Batching for Parties: Planning a holiday gathering? This Tipsy Reindeer recipe scales up beautifully for larger crowds. To make a batch for parties, simply multiply the ingredients by the number of servings you need and mix everything together in a large pitcher or a festive punch bowl. When it’s time to serve, add ice to individual glasses, give the mixture a quick stir, and pour to delight your guests! This makes entertaining stress-free and ensures everyone gets to enjoy this fabulous holiday drink.
More Festive Holiday Drinks to Try
Sugar Cookie Martini: Holiday Cocktail With Rumchata!
Grinch Milkshake: Holiday Drink Recipe With Ice Cream!
White Christmas Mimosa: Easy Cranberry Holiday Cocktail!
Frosted Mistletoe Margarita: Christmas Cocktail Recipe!
Final Thoughts: Your Perfect Holiday Sip Awaits!
The Tipsy Reindeer drink is undeniably a spectacular Christmas cocktail, expertly mimicking the beloved signature holiday drink from Applebee’s. With its delightful blend of sweet, tart, and predominantly cranberry-forward flavors, it captures the essence of the season in every sip. It’s not just delicious; it’s a vibrant, festive showstopper that is guaranteed to be a hit at all your holiday gatherings, spreading cheer and good spirits among your guests.
While Applebee’s offers several tempting Christmas drinks, the Tipsy Reindeer truly stands out as a personal favorite. Its perfect balance of flavors, combined with its iconic red hue—a playful nod to everyone’s favorite red-nosed reindeer—makes it uniquely charming. Moreover, because it’s served on the rocks, it’s remarkably easy to prepare, making it an ideal choice for low-stress entertaining during a busy time of year.
So, this holiday season, if you’re searching for a fruity, fun, and irresistibly festive mixed drink to serve the adults, look no further than this fantastic reindeer cocktail. Skip the lines and the trip to Applebee’s, and instead, enjoy the satisfaction of crafting this delightful beverage in the comfort of your own home. The best part? You have the freedom to customize it precisely to your liking, tweaking its strength, adjusting its sweetness, and even experimenting with different fruity variations to create your ultimate holiday sip.
Tipsy Reindeer Drink (Applebee’s Copycat Recipe)
Equipment
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Liquid measuring cup
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Goblet glass (or similar, like a Mucho glass or hurricane glass)
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Cocktail Shaker (or similar for mixing)
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Smirnoff vodka
- 1 ½ ounces Ocean Spray cranberry juice
- ½ ounce grenadine
- 3 ounces lemon sour rocks mix
- 1 Santa gummy (for garnish)
Instructions
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Fill a goblet (or similar) glass with ice (crushed or cubes)
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Add vodka, cranberry juice, grenadine, and sour mix to a cocktail shaker along with a few ice cubes2 ounces Smirnoff vodka, 1 ½ ounces Ocean Spray cranberry juice, ½ ounce grenadine, 3 ounces lemon sour rocks mix
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Shake until well chilled and slightly frothy, about 20-30 seconds, then strain into ice-filled glass
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Garnish with a gummy Santa and enjoy!1 Santa gummy
Notes
- Even though Applebee’s uses Smirnoff vodka, you can use any brand of vodka you like; I use Pinnacle or Tito’s often.
- Same for the cranberry juice – feel free to use another brand besides Ocean Spray. I use 100% unsweetened juice, which gives you more control over the sweetness level of the drink, but you can use cranberry cocktail for a sweeter base.
- Instead of the grenadine (which is a change to previous years’ recipes), you can use ½ ounce of Monin red passion fruit syrup or ½ ounce of Finest Call strawberry puree to emulate older versions of this cocktail recipe (or other brands as desired, but this is what Applebee’s uses).
- Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, any substitutions, adjustments, or additional garnishes added, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only.
Nutrition
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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