The largest franchisee in the Applebee’s restaurant system, held its first mixology contest for employees with a $1,000 prize and menu spot.
Apple American Group, part of Flynn Restaurant Group that owns and operates over 435 Applebee’s restaurants, has added a new cocktail to the menu called the Vina-Rita.
But this isn’t just any cocktail; the Vina-Rita is the winning concoction from Applebee’s recent Mixology Contest, which challenged team members to create summer-themed drinks that have the potential to generate high consumer interest.
The Vina-Rita, a spin on the traditional margarita, was created by Michelle Sykora, a 23-year bartender at an Applebee’s restaurant in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. The cocktail, which earned Sykora a $1,000 grand prize, includes Teremana Blanco tequila and is finished with a floater of Sutter Home Cabernet Sauvignon. It is available at for a suggested price of $9 at participating AAG locations during July and August. Prices may vary. There are currently no plans to add the Vina-Rita to Applebee’s national menu, according to a spokesperson.
For the competition, held for the first time this year, over 400 Apple American Group employees in 23 states submitted cocktail recipes, which were then reviewed by a panel of mixology judges. Each cocktail was judged according to presentation, creative twist and flavor profile, as well as its ability to complement Applebee’s existing menu.
“When deciding on the cocktail I wanted to create, I borrowed a little inspiration from one of Applebee’s existing drinks – the Perfect Margarita – which is a personal favorite,” Sykora said in a statement. “As a fan of red wine and a solid margarita, I decided to blend those two flavor profiles and the result was delicious. And the Vina-Rita was born.”
Many Yin, a Lowell, Massachusetts, resident and 22-year bartender at Applebee’s of Tewksbury, took second place, winning a $500 prize for his Tropical Kiss cocktail made with Tito’s vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple juice and passion fruit syrup.
Apple American Group LLC operates in 23 states and owns about 30% of the entire Applebee’s system. It generates over $1.1 billion in annual sales and employs over 21,000 people. The company first added Applebee’s to its portfolio in 2011 and expanded its ownership in 2012.
Contact Alicia Kelso at [email protected]
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