Red Lobster Drinks Menu: Cocktails, Beer, Wine and Prices
Quick answer: Most Red Lobster locations serve alcohol and have a bar, with a drinks list built around the signature Lobsterita, tropical cocktails such as the Bahama Mama and Sunset Passion Colada, margaritas and margarita flights, sangria flights, beer and wine. Cocktails typically run $7 to $12. During weekday happy hour, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, seven selected drinks drop to $5. Alcohol service depends on local licensing, so a minority of locations do not serve it at all.
Does Red Lobster Serve Alcohol and Have a Bar?
Yes, at the great majority of locations. Red Lobster restaurants generally include a bar and lounge area with its own seating, which is also where weekday happy hour pricing applies.
The exceptions come down to licensing rather than company policy. Alcohol service in the United States is regulated at state, county and sometimes municipal level, and a small number of Red Lobster restaurants sit in jurisdictions where a full liquor licence is not held or not permitted. Those locations serve the non-alcoholic list only. If it matters for your visit, call ahead — it is not something you can determine from the national menu.
To plan food alongside your drinks, see the full Red Lobster menu with prices and calories.
Signature Cocktails
These are the drinks Red Lobster is actually known for, several of which have been on the menu for years and have a following of their own.
| Cocktail | What It Is | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Lobsterita | The signature oversized margarita, served in the branded fishbowl-style glass | $8 – $12 |
| Bahama Mama | Tropical rum cocktail with pineapple and citrus; the crowd-pleaser of the list | $7 – $10 |
| Sunset Passion Colada | Piña colada style, layered with passion fruit | $7 – $10 |
| Mango Mai Tai | Rum-based, bright and citrus-forward | $8 – $10 |
| Tito’s Twisted Strawberry Lemonade | Vodka and strawberry lemonade; one of the $5 happy hour picks | $7 – $10 |
| Lobster Punch | Fruity rum punch | $9 – $11 |
| Malibu Hurricane | Coconut rum, tropical fruit juices | $8 – $11 |
Prices vary by location and are typical ranges rather than fixed figures.
The Lobsterita Explained
The Lobsterita deserves its own note, because it is the drink most people mean when they ask what to order at Red Lobster. It is an oversized margarita — substantially larger than a standard serve — presented in a distinctive branded glass, which is the reason it shows up so often in photographs of the restaurant.
Two practical points. First, the size is the point: it is designed to be a share-worthy centrepiece, and at $8 to $12 it is priced closer to two standard drinks than one. Second, it is a margarita, which means it is sweet; if you prefer a drier drink, the Classic Margarita in a normal glass is a better fit.
Margaritas and Margarita Flights
| Drink | Notes | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Margarita | The standard serve; $5 during happy hour | $7 – $8 |
| Top-Shelf Margarita | Premium tequila and triple sec | $9 – $11 |
| Strawberry / Mango / Raspberry Margarita | Fruit variants, frozen or on the rocks | $7 – $9 |
| Guava Chili Margarita | Sweet-and-heat seasonal variant | $8 – $11 |
| Main Deck Margarita Flight | Tasting set of several margaritas in small serves | $15 – $17 |
The flight is the interesting option if you are undecided or sharing — several small pours rather than one large drink, at roughly the price of two cocktails.
Sangria and Sangria Flights
| Drink | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Seaside Sangria Flight | $14 – $16 |
| Triple Berry Sangria | $9 – $12 |
| Strawberry Peach Sangria | $9 – $12 |
Sangria is the natural pairing for a seafood-heavy table, particularly the white and rosé-based versions, and the flight format works well for a group ordering a boil or a platter to share.
Classic Cocktails
| Drink | Typical Price |
|---|---|
| Long Island Iced Tea | $7 – $9 |
| Top-Shelf / Ultimate Long Island | $8 – $11 (happy hour $5) |
| Moscow Mule | $7 – $9 |
| Tropical Mojito | $7 – $9 |
| Strawberry Daiquiri | $8 – $10 |
The Top-Shelf Long Island at $5 is the single best-value drink in the building during happy hour, since it carries the highest regular price of anything on the discounted list.
Beer
| Type | Examples | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic draft | Bud Light (14 oz draft is $5 at happy hour) | $5 – $7 |
| Craft / specialty draft | Blue Moon (14 oz draft is $5 at happy hour) | $6 – $8 |
| Bottled domestic | Standard domestic lagers | $4.49 – $6 |
| Bottled imported | Imported lagers and pilsners | $5.49 – $7 |
Draft selection varies by location, and some restaurants carry regional craft beers that do not appear on any national list. Beer is a sensible pairing for fried seafood and for the boils, where a crisp lager cuts through seasoned butter better than a sweet cocktail does.
Wine
| Style | Named Pours | Glass | Bottle |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio (6 oz is $5 at happy hour) | $6.49 – $10 | $22 – $34 |
| Red | Mark West Pinot Noir (6 oz is $5 at happy hour) | $6.49 – $10.49 | $22 – $36 |
| Rosé | Varies by location | $6.49 – $9 | $20 – $30 |
| Sparkling | Prosecco and similar | $6.99 – $11 | $24 – $40 |
The wine list is short and functional rather than ambitious, which is appropriate for the setting. Pinot Grigio is the default white for a reason — it is dry, crisp and works with almost everything on the menu. The Pinot Noir is the light-bodied red that manages not to overwhelm fish, which is why it is the red on the list rather than a Cabernet.
Non-Alcoholic Drinks
| Drink | Price | Refills |
|---|---|---|
| Fountain soft drinks | $3.49 | Free at most locations |
| Fresh smoothies and lemonades | $4.49 | Varies |
| Iced tea | $3.29 – $3.79 | Free at most locations |
| Coffee and hot tea | $2.79 – $3.29 | Varies |
| Juices | $2.99 – $3.79 | No |
The fresh lemonades and smoothies are the interesting part of this list — they are made to order rather than poured from a gun, which is why they carry a dollar premium over the fountain drinks. If you are not drinking alcohol, they are a more satisfying option than a soft drink alongside a seafood dinner.
Seasonal and Limited-Time Drinks
Red Lobster rotates seasonal cocktails alongside its promotional calendar. Drinks tied to Crabfest and Lobsterfest come and go with those events, and autumn and winter bring warmer options such as spiced and whiskey-based sippers. Names change year to year, so rather than list drinks that may already have gone, the reliable move is to ask what is current when you sit down.
Our Crabfest and Lobsterfest guides track those events as they run.
$5 Happy Hour Drinks
Seven drinks drop to a flat $5 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM on weekdays, dine-in only, at participating locations:
- Classic Margarita
- Top-Shelf Long Island Iced Tea
- Tito’s Twisted Strawberry Lemonade
- Blue Moon Draft, 14 oz
- Bud Light Draft, 14 oz
- Mark West Pinot Noir, 6 oz
- Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio, 6 oz
Full details, including which locations are excluded, are in our happy hour guide.
What to Drink With Your Meal
| If You Are Ordering | Try | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Steamed lobster or snow crab | Pinot Grigio or a crisp lager | Dry and clean; will not fight delicate shellfish |
| A seafood boil | Draft beer or a margarita | Cuts through seasoned butter and spice |
| Fried platters | Draft beer or Long Island Iced Tea | Carbonation and acidity reset the palate between bites |
| Linguini Alfredo | Pinot Noir or sparkling | Light red or bubbles against a heavy cream sauce |
| Grilled salmon | Pinot Noir | The classic pairing; light enough not to overwhelm the fish |
| Steak or surf and turf | Pinot Noir or a top-shelf margarita | Enough structure for red meat without dominating the seafood side |
| Dessert | Sangria or coffee | Fruit and acidity against sugar |
Drink Calories
Cocktails are the least-tracked calories in a restaurant meal, and the frozen and cream-based drinks are the heaviest. A large frozen margarita or a colada-style cocktail can carry several hundred calories, sitting somewhere between a dessert and a side dish. Beer and dry wine are more moderate. Unsweetened iced tea, coffee and water are effectively free.
Worth remembering too: fountain drinks and iced tea are refillable at most locations, which makes sweetened soft drinks a quiet contributor across a long meal. Our nutrition guide covers this alongside the food.
Can You Get Drinks to Go?
Non-alcoholic drinks are generally available with takeout orders. Alcohol to-go is governed by state law and varies considerably — some states permit it, many do not, and the rules have shifted in recent years. Happy hour pricing never applies to takeout in any case. Assume no unless your restaurant confirms otherwise.
Related Guides
- Happy hour: $5 drinks, $2 off appetizers and times
- Nutrition, calories and allergens
- Hours: opening, closing and holiday schedule
- Coupons and rewards
- All Red Lobster guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Red Lobster serve alcohol?
Most locations do, and most have a bar and lounge area. A minority do not serve alcohol because of local licensing rules, so confirm with your restaurant if it matters.
What is Red Lobster’s most famous drink?
The Lobsterita — an oversized margarita served in the branded fishbowl-style glass. It is the drink most associated with the restaurant.
How much is a Lobsterita?
Typically $8 to $12 depending on location. Because it is substantially larger than a standard cocktail, it is priced closer to two drinks than one.
What are the best cocktails at Red Lobster?
The Bahama Mama and Sunset Passion Colada are the tropical favourites, the Lobsterita is the signature, and the Top-Shelf Long Island Iced Tea is the best value during happy hour at $5.
How much are drinks at Red Lobster?
Cocktails typically run $7 to $12, beer $5 to $8, wine by the glass $6.49 to $11, and non-alcoholic drinks $2.79 to $4.49. Prices vary by location.
What drinks are $5 at happy hour?
Classic Margarita, Top-Shelf Long Island Iced Tea, Tito’s Twisted Strawberry Lemonade, 14 oz Blue Moon and Bud Light drafts, and 6 oz pours of Mark West Pinot Noir and Ecco Domani Pinot Grigio.
Does Red Lobster have mocktails?
The fresh lemonades and smoothies serve that role and are made to order. Specific mocktail offerings vary by location.
Are soft drinks refillable?
Fountain drinks, iced tea and coffee are refillable at most locations.
Does Red Lobster have margarita flights?
Yes, the Main Deck Margarita Flight, typically $15 to $17, plus a Seaside Sangria Flight at $14 to $16.
What wine goes best with lobster?
A dry white such as the Pinot Grigio on the list. For a red, the Pinot Noir is light enough not to overwhelm shellfish.
Can I get alcohol to go from Red Lobster?
That depends entirely on state and local law. Non-alcoholic drinks are generally fine for takeout; alcohol usually is not.
Are Red Lobster drinks gluten-free?
Wine, most spirits and cider are generally gluten-free; beer is not. Cocktail mixers vary, so check with your server if you are avoiding gluten strictly.
Which drinks are highest in calories?
Frozen and cream-based cocktails such as coladas and frozen margaritas. Dry wine and light beer are the lower-calorie choices.
Does the kids’ menu include drinks?
Yes, kids’ meals typically include a drink choice such as juice, milk or a soft drink.
Do drink prices change by location?
Yes, considerably. Alcohol pricing reflects local taxes, licensing costs and market rates, which is why we publish ranges rather than single national figures.
Red Lobster Menu Deals is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to Red Lobster. Drink availability, names and pricing vary by location and are subject to state and local alcohol regulations and to change without notice. You must be of legal drinking age to purchase alcohol. Please drink responsibly.