Applebee’s Shark Bowl Recipe: Fun, Refreshing, and Easy to Make at Home

Published: 16 Sep 2025

The Applebee’s Shark Bowl drink is a beautiful blue tropical cocktail made famous by Applebee’s. This fishbowl drink comes in a big bowl-style glass and offers fruity flavors, alcohol, and a tasty gummy shark on top. Often called an ocean-inspired drink, it became popular on social media for its bright colors and playful style.

Imagine having a “blue ocean in a glass.” The Applebee’s Shark Bowl isn’t just a drink; it’s a perfect summer treat. With its bright color, sweet taste, and lively flavor, this chilled drink is great for summer parties, BBQs, or a fun night at home. Ready to try this homemade Shark Bowl recipe?

Table of Content

What is Applebee’s Shark Bowl?
Ingredients Applebee’s Shark Bowl
Tools & Equipment
Step-by-Step Applebee’s Shark Bowl Recipe
Tips & Tricks
Variations Applebee’s Shark Bowl Recipe
Storage & Make-Ahead Advice
Nutrition Information
Conclusion
FAQs

What is Applebee’s Shark Bowl?

The Applebee’s Shark Bowl recipe is a blue alcoholic drink that has gained popularity in restaurants known for its fun, large cocktails. It tastes like a fruity drink recipe: sweet, sharp, and cool with pineapple and lemonade mixed into a creamy base.

Its bright blue color from the blue fruit drink like an ocean in a glass. The unique gummy shark design adds a playful change, and the big serving size makes it one of the most enjoyable fishbowl cocktails for parties.

Ingredients Applebee’s Shark Bowl

Some ingredients used in Applebee’s Shark Bowl recipe include:

1 cup light rum (or Captain Morgan Spiced Rum for a greater taste)
1/2 cup blue coconut drink (for the ocean-blue color)
1 cup pineapple juice (tropical sweetness)
1 cup lemonade (for extra flavor)
1 cup lemon-lime soda (similar to Sprite cocktail mix)
Crushed ice (to create a frozen blue alcohol drink recipe)
Gummy shark garnish (for an attractive display)

Tools & Equipment

For authentic homemade Applebee’s drink style, use a fish bowl glass or large goblets.
Blender: to make a frozen soft drink.
Measuring cups and mixers for rum and Curaçao accuracy

Ice crusher: for smooth slush consistency.
Garnish tools: to properly display the gummy shark garnish.

Step-by-Step Applebee’s Shark Bowl Recipe

Chill the glass. To make the famous Applebee’s cocktail presentation, use a fishbowl-style glass.
Blend the base. Combine alcohol, coconut milk, pineapple juice, and lemonade in a mixer with crushed ice.
Blend until slushy. Stop before it becomes watery.
Add some fizz. Gradually mix in the Sprite drink mix; do not combine after adding the soda.
Garnish. Include gummy sharks, pineapple pieces, or citrus wedges.
Freshness is key. This party punch recipe is best enjoyed immediately.

Tips & Tricks

Use Captain Morgan Spiced Rum for depth of flavor.
For homemade slushy cocktail ideas, blend fresh fruit like mango or berries.
Keep it cold by chilling all liquids.
Add grenadine drops for a dramatic “shark attack” effect.

Variations Applebee’s Shark Bowl Recipe

Non-alcoholic Shark Bowl recipe: Skip rum, add coconut water or more lemonade.
Low sugar option: Use diet soda and fresh juice.
Fruit twists: Swap pineapple for passionfruit or mango for a fruity rum drink with pineapple juice vibe.
Party style: Serve as a best tropical drink for parties in mini mason jars.

Storage & Make-Ahead Advice

Prep juices in advance but skip soda and ice until serving.
Store juice mix in a sealed jug for up to 24 hours.
Re-blend with fresh ice for the slushy effect.

Nutrition Information

The Applebee’s Shark Bowl drink is very high in sugar and calories, usually having 250-350 calories per serving. Blue sugar and soda provide all of the sweetness.

For a simpler version, use non-alcoholic Shark Bowl recipe variations or reduce the alcohol. Adding coconut water or fresh fruit makes it more refreshing but also decreases the calories.

Conclusion

The Applebee’s Shark Bowl recipe stands out for its vibrant blue color, slushy texture, and quirky garnish. If you are looking for an easy summer drink recipe or an Applebee’s Shark Bowl variant, this cocktail delivers.

Try making your own Applebee’s drink at home. Share it at parties, test with different ingredients, and enjoy the most popular colorful fishbowl cocktails for parties.

FAQs

What does Applebee’s Shark Bowl taste like?

It’s a sweet, tangy, and refreshing frozen cocktail with blue curaçao.

What if blue curaçao isn’t available?

Use triple sec with blue food coloring for the same ocean-inspired cocktail look.

Can I use different alcohol or skip alcohol?

Yes, swap with vodka, tequila, or make a mocktail Shark Bowl drink.

Best glass to serve in?

A fishbowl cocktail glass or large goblet works best.

How long will it last?

Best fresh, but juice mix can last 24 hours in the fridge.