Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe

Some drinks just have a way of lifting your mood, and the Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe is one of those. It’s bright, colorful, and just the right mix of sweet and tangy.

A while back, I was feeling run-down from being stuck at home with the flu, and the only silver lining was binge-watching my favorite shows on TV.

Around that same time, Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop popped into my head. This cocktail reminded me of the time a friend introduced me to flavored vodka drinks during a small get-together.

I wasn’t a huge vodka fan before, but adding fruity flavors changed everything. It’s the same reason I love this recipe – it feels special but is simple to put together at home.

Oh, and when I’m not in the mood for something citrusy, I switch it up with another favorite: the Spicy Rigatoni Vodka Recipe.

And just like a good plate of pasta with a Spicy Rigatoni Vodka, this cocktail adds a little joy to the night without trying too hard.

What Is the Difference Between Raspberry and Blue Raspberry

1. The Flavor Source: Regular raspberry flavor comes from the actual red raspberry fruit. Blue raspberry flavor does not come from a blue berry. Its flavor is actually based on the rubus leucodermis, or “whitebark” raspberry. This fruit is a dark purplish-blue color.
2. The Bright Blue Color: The most obvious difference is the color. Food scientists needed a bright, fun color for candies and drinks. They paired the raspberry flavor with a vibrant blue dye. This made it stand out from other red flavors like cherry or strawberry.
3. The Taste Profile: The taste is similar to red raspberry but often a bit sweeter and more tart. It has that classic berry punch but with a unique, electric blue look. In this Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe, that sweet and tart taste mixes perfectly with the lemon.

Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop Ingredients

• Raspberry Vodka (1 oz/30ml): This vodka brings authentic raspberry flavor to the drink. The natural berry notes create the foundation for the cocktail. Raspberry vodka adds sweetness without being too heavy. Plain vodka with muddled fresh raspberries gives a similar flavor.
• Blueberry Vodka (1 oz/30ml): Blueberry vodka adds depth and rounds out the berry profile. The subtle blueberry taste balances the sharper raspberry, creating complexity in each sip. Regular vodka mixed with blueberry juice or muddled blueberries works well.
• Blue Curacao (Splash): Blue curacao gives the cocktail its signature bright blue color and adds a light citrus note that complements the lemon. Triple sec with a few drops of blue food coloring can be used as a replacement.
• Lemon Juice (1 oz/30ml): Fresh lemon juice provides essential tartness and cuts through the sweetness, making the drink taste bright and fresh. Bottled lemon juice works if fresh lemons aren’t available.
• Simple Syrup (¾ oz/22.5ml): Simple syrup balances the sour lemon with sweetness, helping all the flavors blend smoothly. Agave nectar or honey syrup works just as well.
• Sugar (for rim): Coating the rim with sugar adds texture and extra sweetness with each sip. White granulated sugar works perfectly, or colored or coarse sanding sugar can be used for a fun twist.
• Lemon Wheel (garnish): A fresh lemon wheel makes the presentation pop and hints at the citrus flavor inside. A lemon twist or wedge works if preferred.

Recommended Kitchen Equipment

1. Cocktail Shaker – Essential for mixing thoroughly
2. Jigger – Measures ingredients accurately
3. Martini Glass – Classic presentation vessel
4. Small Plate – For rimming sugar setup
5. Citrus Juicer – Extracts fresh lemon juice
6. Strainer – Keeps ice out
7. Knife – Cuts lemon wheels cleanly

How To Make Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop

Step 1 | Prepare the Glass

Take your martini glass and rub a lemon wedge around the rim. Dip the moistened rim onto a small plate of sugar. Set the glass aside so it’s ready.

Step 2 | Combine the Ingredients

Fill your cocktail shaker about halfway with ice. Pour in the raspberry vodka, blueberry vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and the splash of blue curaçao.

Step 3 | Shake Vigorously

Secure the lid on your shaker tightly. Shake it hard for about 15–20 seconds. The shaker should feel very cold, perfectly chilling and diluting the drink.

Step 4 | Strain and Serve

Use your strainer to pour the liquid from the shaker into your prepared sugar-rimmed glass. The strainer will catch all the ice.

Step 5 | Garnish and Enjoy

Place a fresh lemon wheel on the edge of the glass. Your refreshing Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe is ready to drink!

Chef’s Special Notes

• Chill Your Glass: Put your martini glass in the freezer for ten minutes before making the drink. A cold glass keeps your cocktail icy longer.
• Shake Until Frosty: Shake the cocktail until the outside of the shaker gets very cold and starts to frost. This ensures the drink is perfectly chilled.
• Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Taste your mix before shaking. Add more simple syrup or lemon juice if you prefer it sweeter or more tart.
• Use Quality Vodka: Good berry vodka makes a smoother, better-tasting cocktail. Avoid cheap vodka that can taste harsh.
• Fresh Juice Matters: Always use fresh lemon juice. It gives bright, zingy flavor that bottled juice can’t match.
• Batch for Parties: Double the recipe in a pitcher without ice and refrigerate. Shake individual servings with ice when ready to serve.

How to Serve This Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop

The best way to enjoy this cocktail is fresh from the shaker. Pour it into a chilled glass with the sugar rim so each sip starts with a little sparkle. A lemon wheel adds a nice visual touch and balances the sweetness.

At Applebee’s restaurant, this drink is usually served bright and icy cold, often paired with casual appetizers like mozzarella sticks, wings, or chips and salsa.

At home, it works just as well as a happy hour starter, a weekend treat, or even a fun party drink. Keep the servings small so it feels light and refreshing instead of too heavy.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Make-Ahead: You can prepare a large batch of the cocktail mix (without ice) ahead of time. Combine the vodkas, lemon juice, simple syrup, and blue curaçao in a pitcher. Cover it and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

When you’re ready to serve, give it a stir, shake individual portions with ice, and pour.

How to Store: Cocktails are always best enjoyed fresh. This drink does not store well once it has been shaken with ice and diluted.

If you have leftover mix that hasn’t been shaken (the pre-mixed pitcher), it can be stored in the fridge, covered, for about one day. The lemon juice may start to lose its brightness after that.

Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe FAQs

1. Is Blue Curacao only for color?

No. It adds a light orange flavor along with the bright blue color. Triple sec or Cointreau can replace it, though you’ll lose the iconic look.

2. What type of glass works best?

A chilled martini or coupe glass works best for presentation. The wide rim also holds the sugar coating better.

3. How do you prevent the sugar rim from getting soggy?

Keep the sugar rim dry by following a few simple techniques. Only dip the very edge of the glass into the lemon juice, not the whole rim. Use just enough moisture to make the sugar stick.

Let any excess lemon juice drip off before touching the sugar. Press the rim into the sugar gently but firmly so it adheres well. After creating the sugar rim, let the glass sit upright for a minute so the sugar can set slightly.

When pouring the drink, strain it carefully down the center of the glass so liquid does not splash up onto the sugar. Hold the glass at a slight angle if needed. The sugar stays crispy and pretty throughout drinking when you follow these steps.

4. What is simple syrup and how do I make it?

Simple syrup is just sugar dissolved in water. It’s easy to mix into cold drinks. To make it, combine equal parts white sugar and water in a pot.

Heat on the stove while stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Let it cool before you use it in your cocktail.

5. Is this a strong cocktail?

It has a standard amount of alcohol for a martini-style drink, with 2 ounces of vodka total. The sweet and sour flavors can make it easy to drink, so it’s important to enjoy it responsibly.

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Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe

Yield: 1 cocktail

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Make Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop in 10 minutes! Sweet raspberry and tart lemon create a perfect single cocktail.

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Ingredients

• Raspberry Vodka – 1 oz (30 ml)
• Blueberry Vodka – 1 oz (30 ml)
• Blue Curacao – Splash (about 0.25 oz / 7.5 ml)
• Fresh Lemon Juice – 1 oz (30 ml)
• Simple Syrup – ¾ oz (22.5 ml)
• Sugar – For rim, about 1 tsp
• Lemon Wheel – 1 slice for garnish

Instructions

1. Take your martini glass and rub a lemon wedge around the rim. Dip the moistened rim onto a small plate of sugar. Set the glass aside so it's ready.
2. Fill your cocktail shaker about halfway with ice. Pour in the raspberry vodka, blueberry vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and the splash of blue curaçao.
3. Secure the lid on your shaker tightly. Shake it hard for about 15–20 seconds. The shaker should feel very cold, perfectly chilling and diluting the drink.
4. Use your strainer to pour the liquid from the shaker into your prepared sugar-rimmed glass. The strainer will catch all the ice.
5. Place a fresh lemon wheel on the edge of the glass. Your refreshing Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe is ready to drink!

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1 cocktail
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 165Carbohydrates: 13gSugar: 12gSugar Alcohols: 14g

The Applebee’s Blue Raspberry Lemon Drop Recipe delivers a perfect balance of sweet berry and tart lemon flavors in one stunning glass. That bright blue color makes any occasion feel more fun and special.

This easy cocktail comes together in just minutes but tastes like something from a professional bar. Mix one up tonight and enjoy every sip of this delicious creation.