Brian Nagele
Chain restaurants are a favorite among many due to their consistency and friendly atmosphere. They are the perfect place to get together with friends and family, as they usually have something for everyone’s taste.
Along with tasty menus, many popular chain restaurants have delicious drink menus available, so you can unwind and relax while enjoying your meal.
Sometimes it’s a little challenging when trying to pick a drink at a restaurant, as you never know if you’ll like it.
Use this list to decide where your next meal will be, and here are some of the best chain restaurant cocktails you can enjoy with it.
Olive Garden
Olive Garden likes to do some intriguing twists on Italian-inspired cocktails.
They have a long list of wines and beers available if you’re not into mixed drinks.
The best drink at this chain restaurant is the Italian margarita. A margarita from an Italian restaurant might sound strange, but trust me, it’s delicious.
They use the following ingredients to make their margaritas:
- Tequila
- Triple sec
- Amaretto
Check out our favorite Olive Garden cocktails to try!
Outback Steakhouse
Outback Steakhouse is a fantastic place if you like surf and turf. They have a range of signature steaks and other dishes.
While beer always goes great with a steak, the chain restaurant’s cocktail menu is worth a look.
They also offer their cocktails for $7 each every single day!
The best one from their menu is the Wallaby Darned. It’s a delicious blend of peaches, prosecco, vodka, and peach schnapps. It’s like a boozy peach slush, and I love how refreshing it is.
TGI Fridays
TGI Fridays has a nice selection of beers and wines, but they also have a substantial cocktail menu.
A favorite among myself, and many others, is their Friday’s Long Island iced tea. They use a blend of the following ingredients:
- Vodka
- Rum
- Gin
- Triple sec
- Coke
I highly recommend getting some lemon wedges and squeezing some lemon juice in them.
Chili’s
Chili’s serves a lot of Tex-Mex food inspired by Mexican dishes, and one of the best drinks to go with this type of food is a margarita.
They have a sizable list of margaritas, but their house Presidente Margarita is the best.
They combine tequila, orange liqueur, and brandy, and you can choose from classic, strawberry, or mango. I highly recommend the mango.
Chili’s also offers great happy hour specials!
Red Lobster
Red Lobster offers a long menu of beers, wines, cocktails, and frozen cocktails.
Their Mango Mai Tai cocktail is one of the best to have with your favorite Red Lobster seafood meal.
They use all the traditional ingredients like fruit juices, triple sec, and grenadine, but they use Malibu’s mango rum to make it extra fruity. I love this drink, as it is like a little tropical oasis in a cup.
Ruby Tuesday
Ruby Tuesday has similar dishes to TGI Fridays, but their drink menu is chock full of mixed drinks, beer, and wines.
The best drink they have to offer is their signature Ruby Relaxer, which has the following ingredients:
- Vodka
- Coconut rum
- Peach schnapps
- Pineapple and cranberry juice
You can ask for no garnishes, but I love the orange slices as they give a slight sourness.
The Cheesecake Factory
If you’ve ever been to the Cheesecake Factory, then you know their menu is massive, making it very difficult to order anything.
After multiple visits, I assure you that you’ll be happy ordering the Georgia Peach cocktail.
It contains vodka, peach liqueur, blended peaches, and a delicious raspberry swirl. The fresh blended peaches add a nice freshness to it.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s has a large selection of cocktails available, and they often add new ones when new seasons roll in and when holidays come around.
They have good appetizers, but you’ll need something to wash them down with, such as my favorite, their Perfect Margarita.
Tequila, triple sec, Grand Marnier, and lime juice make the perfect citrusy drink.
Don’t miss out on Applebee’s happy hour to try the margarita and more!
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has quite a few cocktails to choose from, along with some great beers and assorted alcohols.
Bubba Gump takes an interesting twist on a margarita, and they call it the Coronarita.
It’s a mix of a traditional margarita, lime juice, and a Corona beer. You can also get it in a watermelon or passion fruit flavor. I love the watermelon one.
P.F. Chang’s
If you’re looking for new and interesting cocktails, P.F. Chang’s offers a long cocktail menu with an Asian flair.
The Kyoto Bloom is one of the best drinks they have, as it combines refreshing elements like elderflower liqueur, Japanese gin, saké, club soda, lime, and strawberry.
It’s a lovely earthy, fruity drink to enjoy with your meal.
Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse has much more to offer besides those famous buttery rolls and steaks, with their extensive cocktail menu.
The Armadillo Punch is the perfect fruity explosion with coconut rum, orange juice, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and orange slices. It’s like you’re sipping on a tropical island!
