Cook Out Drinks Menu With Prices For 2026
Southern hospitality shows up in a lot of small ways, and at Cook Out, one of the clearest examples is the drink menu. Sweet tea and fresh lemonade sit right alongside the standard fountain soda lineup, giving the whole ordering experience a distinctly regional feel that sets Cook Out apart from the generic beverage stations you’ll find at most national fast-food chains.
Drinks might not get the same attention as the burgers or the massive milkshake lineup, but they’re a genuine part of what makes a Cook Out visit feel different, especially for anyone who grew up drinking sweet tea with every meal and finds it strange when a restaurant doesn’t offer it as a default option. The Cheerwine float, in particular, has become something of a regional cult favorite in its own right.
This guide breaks down the current Cook Out Drinks Menu With Prices, covering fountain drinks, Southern specialties like sweet tea and lemonade, and the signature Cheerwine floats that round out the beverage lineup. Whether you’re pairing a drink with a tray or grabbing something cold on its own, this breakdown should help.
Cook Out Drinks Menu With Prices
The Cook Out Drinks Menu With Prices covers a solid range of fountain sodas, Southern specialty drinks, and floats, with most standalone drinks priced under $2.50 depending on size. Because drinks come included with every Cook Out Tray, many guests never order one separately, but the a la carte pricing remains affordable regardless.
Fountain Drinks & Sodas
The fountain drink lineup at Cook Out covers the standard range of sodas you’d expect at most fast-food chains, including classic Coca-Cola products alongside regional favorites that reflect the chain’s Southern roots. Because Cook Out operates primarily across the Southeast, the fountain lineup often includes drinks that aren’t as commonly found at national chains outside the region, giving the beverage menu a bit of local flavor even in this most standard of categories.
Drinks are available in small, medium, and large sizes, with pricing scaling modestly as size increases. Because fountain drinks are included automatically with every Cook Out Tray, most regulars only order a standalone fountain drink when they’re grabbing a quick beverage without a full meal, such as a hot afternoon drink run rather than a full lunch or dinner order.
Refills are generally available for dine-in guests, though this can vary by location, and it’s worth confirming with staff if unlimited refills matter to your visit, since not every Cook Out location follows an identical refill policy given the chain’s franchise structure.
| Item | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Small Fountain Drink | $1.59 | 0–150 |
| Medium Fountain Drink | $1.89 | 0–200 |
| Large Fountain Drink | $2.19 | 0–260 |
Sweet Tea & Lemonade
Sweet tea is practically a birthright at Cook Out, and the chain’s version has developed a loyal following among regulars who consider it noticeably better than what’s available at most competing fast-food chains. Brewed fresh rather than made from a powdered mix, the sweet tea carries a genuine, well-balanced sweetness that’s become a signature part of the overall Cook Out experience for a lot of longtime customers, particularly those who grew up in the Southeast where sweet tea is practically its own food group.
Fresh lemonade rounds out the Southern specialty drink category, offering a tart, refreshing alternative to the sweet tea for guests who want something a little different. Like the tea, the lemonade tends to earn praise for tasting genuinely fresh rather than like a standard fountain mix, which is a detail regulars frequently point to when comparing Cook Out favorably against other regional and national chains.
Both the sweet tea and lemonade are available in the same small, medium, and large sizing as the standard fountain drinks, and either can be swapped in as the included drink with any Cook Out Tray at no additional charge, making them an easy upgrade from a standard soda.
| Item | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet Tea (Small) | $1.59 | 140 |
| Sweet Tea (Large) | $2.19 | 280 |
| Fresh Lemonade (Small) | $1.79 | 160 |
| Fresh Lemonade (Large) | $2.39 | 300 |
Cheerwine Floats
Few items on the Cook Out menu generate as much regional pride as the Cheerwine float, which pairs the beloved North Carolina-born cherry soda with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a drink that’s become genuinely iconic among Southern fast-food fans. Cheerwine itself has a devoted following independent of Cook Out, and the chain’s decision to build a float around it has turned into one of the more distinctive, hard-to-find-elsewhere items on the entire menu.
The float format gives the drink a thicker, more dessert-like texture than a standard fountain soda, striking a balance between a drink and a treat that’s earned it a spot as one of the more frequently recommended items for first-time visitors specifically because it’s something they genuinely can’t get at most other chains, especially outside the Carolinas where Cheerwine originated.
Because the Cheerwine float sits at a slightly higher price point than the standard fountain drinks, it’s generally treated as more of a dessert-drink hybrid than an everyday beverage choice, with many regulars ordering it as an occasional treat rather than their standard go-to drink.
| Item | Price | Calories |
|---|---|---|
| Cheerwine Float (Regular) | $3.29 | 380 |
| Cheerwine Float (Large) | $3.79 | 460 |
Drinks As Part Of A Tray
Every Cook Out Tray comes bundled with a drink included in the base price, which means most regulars never think about drink pricing as a separate line item at all. Choosing between a fountain soda, sweet tea, or lemonade as the tray’s included drink doesn’t change the total price, giving guests full flexibility to pick whichever beverage fits their meal without worrying about an upcharge. Upgrading that included drink to a milkshake instead costs a modest additional amount, which is one of the most popular upgrades across the entire tray-ordering system.
Because the drink is essentially “free” within the context of a tray order, it’s one of the areas where Cook Out’s value proposition becomes most obvious — guests get a full meal, two sides, and their choice of beverage for a price that would only cover the entrée alone at many competing chains.
| Item | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Included Tray Drink | Included | Any fountain drink, tea, or lemonade |
| Milkshake Upgrade | $1.00–$1.60 | Replaces included drink |
Tips For Ordering From The Cook Out Drinks Menu
If you’ve never tried Cook Out’s sweet tea or fresh lemonade, it’s worth swapping out your usual soda order at least once. Both are made fresh rather than from a standard fountain mix and consistently earn praise from regulars comparing them to other chains.
The Cheerwine float is worth trying specifically if you’re visiting from outside the Carolinas, since Cheerwine itself can be hard to find in other parts of the country. The float format showcases the soda in a genuinely distinctive, dessert-like way.
Because drinks come included with every tray at no extra cost, it rarely makes sense to order a beverage separately unless you’re grabbing a quick drink without a full meal. Building your drink choice into a tray order is almost always the better value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Drinks Does Cook Out Offer?
Cook Out offers a range of fountain sodas, fresh-brewed sweet tea, fresh lemonade, and signature Cheerwine floats, alongside milkshakes as a dessert-drink upgrade option.
How Much Does A Cook Out Drink Cost?
Standalone fountain drinks, sweet tea, and lemonade generally range from about $1.59 to $2.39 depending on size, while Cheerwine floats cost slightly more at around $3.29 to $3.79.
Is The Drink Included With A Cook Out Tray?
Yes, every Cook Out Tray comes with a drink included in the base price, and guests can choose any fountain drink, sweet tea, or lemonade at no additional charge.
What Is A Cheerwine Float?
A Cheerwine float combines the North Carolina-born cherry soda Cheerwine with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, creating a thicker, more dessert-like drink that’s become a regional favorite.
Can You Upgrade Your Tray Drink To A Milkshake?
Yes, most Cook Out Trays allow you to upgrade the included drink to one of more than 40 milkshake flavors for a modest additional cost.
Final Word
The Cook Out Drinks Menu With Prices rounds out one of the best overall value meals in fast food with genuinely distinctive Southern specialties. From fresh-brewed sweet tea and lemonade to the beloved Cheerwine float, the beverage lineup adds a regional character that’s hard to find at most national competitors.
Because drinks come included with every tray order, most regulars get to enjoy their beverage of choice without ever thinking about it as a separate cost, which is a big part of what makes the Cook Out Tray such a strong deal overall. Since pricing and availability can vary slightly by location, checking your local menu board is always worth doing.
Whether you stick with a classic fountain soda or branch out and try a Cheerwine float for the first time, the Cook Out Drinks Menu offers a lot more character than the average fast-food beverage lineup.
