Is the Applebee's Dollarita Back? The $1 Margarita in 2026
What the Dollarita Is
A house margarita for $1. Applebee's describes it as tequila, triple sec and lime. It's a promotion, not a menu item, so it only exists when Applebee's is running it.
It first ran in October 2017 as the drink of the month and got so much attention that Applebee's has used it again since, including in October 2023 and July 2026. The July 2026 run was timed to America's 250th birthday.
The July 2026 Rules
- $1 each, plus tax and tip.
- Dine-in only. No To Go, no delivery.
- 21 and over, with ID.
- Participating restaurants. Franchisees could opt out, and supplies could run out.
Expect the same rules next time. Individual restaurants can also limit how many you order, which is a local decision and one worth asking about before you plan a night around it.
How Strong Is a Dollarita?
Applebee's doesn't publish the pour, so nobody outside the company can tell you the alcohol content. You'll find confident numbers online. They're guesses. What we can say is that it's a house margarita, not a premium one, and it's priced to get you in the door and ordering food.
Will the Dollarita Come Back?
Probably. Applebee's has brought it back several times since 2017, usually as a limited drink of the month. It hasn't said when. When it returns, Applebee's announces it through a press release and its social accounts, usually a week or two ahead. We update our specials and deals page when it does.
The Cheapest Applebee's Cocktails Right Now
| Drink | Price | Until |
|---|---|---|
| Tipsy Zombie (Bacardí rum, passion fruit, pineapple, cherry, lime) | $6 | Nov 15, 2026 |
| Dracula's Juice (Bacardí rum, Cuervo tequila, prickly pear, lemon sour) | $6 | Nov 15, 2026 |
| Tropical Spell Mocktail (no alcohol) | $4 | Nov 15, 2026 |
| $10 Don Julio Mucho Margarita | $10 | Regular menu |
The Dracula's Juice is the closest thing to a margarita on the Halloween list, since it has tequila in it. For a real margarita at a fair price, the Don Julio Mucho Margarita at $10 is the step up. Every drink with calories is on the cocktails page.
Margarita Calories
A House Margarita on the rocks is 310 calories. Frozen, the Mucho Margarita is 650 with 75g of sugar. If you're counting, order it on the rocks. That one change saves more calories than most food swaps on the menu.
Happy Hour Isn't the Same as the Dollarita
The Dollarita was a national price. Happy hour drink prices are set by each restaurant, and six states ban time-limited drink discounts outright. Half price appetizers, 3:00 to 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM to close, are the reliable part of happy hour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Applebee's Dollarita back in 2026?
It ran from July 1 to July 31, 2026, and has ended. No new date has been announced.
What is in an Applebee's Dollarita?
Tequila, triple sec and lime, according to Applebee's.
Can you get a Dollarita To Go?
No. The July 2026 Dollarita was dine-in only, for guests 21 and over.
When did the Dollarita start?
October 2017.
What's the cheapest cocktail at Applebee's right now?
The $6 Spooky Sips, the Tipsy Zombie and Dracula's Juice, through November 15, 2026.
