Burger chain unveils beer-spiked milkshake

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers has unveiled a special beer milkshake made with Samuel Adams Octoberfest, soft serve vanilla ice cream, vanilla syrup and caramel.

"Nothing says Oktoberfest better than a beer, so I incorporated the fun spirit of Red Robin into this innovative milkshake," said Donna Ruch, master mixologist with Red Robin. "Now, our guests don't have to choose between a beer or a shake to go with their burger. They can have the very best of both in our new Octoberfest Milkshake."

Along with the milkshake, other Oktoberfest offering at Red Robin will feature warm pretzel bites served with beer cheese and beer mustard and return of the Oktoberfest burger made with a toasted pretzel bun, beer mustard, melted Swiss cheese, sauteed onions, ham and lettuce.

Red Robin isn't the only burger chain to offer booze-spiked milkshakes.

Bobby's Burger Palace (as in Bobby Flay) sells bourbon, rum and vodka-spiked milkshakes, TGI Friday's sells milkshakes made with Guinness stout in honor of St. Patrick's Day and the Counter, a Los Angeles-based burger chain, offers a variety of alcoholic shakes, including versions made with red or white wine.

Reuters reports that the number of frozen cocktails on restaurant menus is up 52 percent since 2009, despite the flagging popularity of classics like piña coladas, daiquiris and mudslides, according to Mintel Menu Insights, which tracks trends across all types of restaurants.