20 Ice-Cold Slushie Recipes To Beat the Summer Heat

There's nothing like an ice-cold drink on a hot summer day to cool you down enough for endless outdoor fun. Think of a slushie as a granita’s more laid-back cousin — less scraping, more sipping and always welcome when the temperatures climb.Whether you’re in the mood for a fruity slushie, frozen cocktail or anything in between, these chilly sippers deliver serious refreshment with a side of flair.

All the fruity flavor of classic sangria, now with a brain freeze. Red wine ice cubes get blitzed with brandy, orange liqueur and frozen berries for a vibrant, grown-up slush that’s big on flavor and perfect for sharing. It’s bold, boozy and ready to upstage your go-to summer cocktails.

Rosé all day — now in frozen form. This upgraded frosé blends chilled wine with strawberries and lemon for a balanced tart-sweet base, then churns it to frosty perfection in an ice cream maker. It’s just right for sipping all afternoon on the patio.

Dark, summer-ripe blackberries are a wonderful pairing to the herbaceous notes in gin. Combine both flavors in an icy slushie that becomes a chilly cocktail worth lingering over. It’s vibrant, easy to make and dangerously good on a sweltering afternoon.

A blend of frozen lemonade and orange juice concentrates make for quick prep on this boozy slushie that can serve a crowd. Combine them with cherry juice and bourbon and chill so the flavors can meld. When ready to serve, blend with ice and serve in large margarita glasses.

This frosty, neon-pink slushie is like summer in a glass. Made with frozen watermelon chunks and tangy pink lemonade, it’s equal parts refreshing and eye-catching. Add a splash of vodka for grown-up vibes, or skip it to keep it kid-friendly.

This frozen take on the Cuban cocktail blends fresh mint, lime juice and a splash of rum into a refreshingly slushy sip that’s basically air-conditioning in a glass. Once the simple syrup is made, this recipe comes together in a flash. Serve it with a mint sprig and a lime wedge to finish this frozen beverage.

A quick basil simple syrup gives this simple watermelon lemonade a summery twist. Blend frozen watermelon with lemon juice to give it a citrusy edge that wakes up the flavor and tempers the fruit’s natural sweetness. Make it as-is for a family-friendly concoction, or add a splash of vodka to turn it into a breezy backyard cocktail.

Sweet meets spicy in this chilly michelada slushie that tastes like a party in your mouth. Frozen strawberries and pickled jalapeños combine with beer and a touch of strawberry liqueur in the blender until a smooth, ice-cold drink appears. A chili-lime rimmed glass brings bold flavor to every sip of this refreshing cocktail.

Take a trip to the tropics with this sweet, creamy island classic. Blended with pineapple, mango and a splash of rum, it pours like soft-serve and tastes like a vacation in your mouth. Umbrella optional… but encouraged.

Fresh and frozen fruit are plenty sweet enough to make this cherry slushie that’s made with no added sugar. Seek out frozen pitted sweet cherries to give the drink an intense stone fruit flavor, then add them to a blender with a small scoop of frozen pineapple to add a touch of acidity and sweetness. A bit of sparkling (or flat) water ensures everything blends totally smooth and sippable.

Stop spending your pennies at fancy coffee shops and whip up this refreshing frappe at home. Blended with sweetened condensed milk and a hint of almond, this slushie uses cold brewed coffee to temper sweetness and add a jolt of caffeine. Freeze the base until almost firm, then scrape with a fork and scoop into glasses, topped with more cold coffee, of course.

Part carnival, part citrusy elixir, this playful pink drink is like childhood you can drink. The base is blended frozen pink lemonade and a pinch of cotton candy with enough water and ice to chill it and keep it from tasting overly sweet. A piece of cotton candy on the rim of the glass adds the final touch of whimsy to this fun treat.

A little sweet, a little boozy and totally indulgent, this deep ruby slushie blends frozen berries with sweet red wine for a dessert-worthy drink. A drizzle of creamy coconut condensed milk and a few frozen berries crowns the glass in a gorgeous, velvety swirl. It’s equal parts rich and cooling with just the right amount of fruity fun.

No prep time? No problem. Chuck a few chunks of watermelon into the blender, then freeze in a shallow container. Bring the whole container with you to your picnic and mash the frozen puree with a fork to create a simple, DIY slushie that needs no special tools or fancy ingredients.

Instead of plain ice cubes, this slushie uses peach nectar frozen in an ice cube tray as a base. Add those to a blender with frozen sliced peaches, a few cups of dry rose and a nice pour of brandy and peach schnapps. Blend and serve on a warm summer day.

Frozen grapes, fizzy juice and mint syrup blend together to create a cool, candy-colored swirl that’s anything but boring. Pour over scoops of vanilla ice cream in sprinkle-rimmed glasses to create a drink that’s sure to bring a smile to your face. Make the syrup ahead of time and store in the refrigerator to make quick work at serving time.

Making homemade slushies can’t get much easier than this two ingredient recipe. A few cups of ice give this tart pomegranate slushie all the chill it needs. Honey adds a natural sweetness to counteract the tartness without overpowering the fruit flavor.

Fans of more serious cocktails will enjoy this frosty twist on a Manhattan that layers beer slush and bourbon. Sweet vermouth and bitters balance the bold ingredients while boozy cherries soaked in orange liqueur seal the deal.

Sweet, frothy and just the right amount of nostalgic, this citrusy classic tastes like childhood summers in a cup. Blended with orange juice concentrate, vanilla, milk and ice, it’s the kind of creamy frozen treat that blurs the line between beverage and dessert.