Slushie Recipe
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Beat the heat with this easy Homemade Slushie recipe! Made with just a few ingredients you probably already have, this frozen treat is icy, refreshing, and totally customizable. Whether you’re cooling off after a hot day or just want something fun for the kids (or, let’s be honest, yourself), this is one of those recipes you’ll come back to again and again.
Looking for more fun ways to cool down? Try my Slow Melting Jell-O Popsicles!
Why You’ll Love These Kool-Aid Slushies
- Easy summer drink: This slushie is the ultimate no-fuss refreshment for hot days.
- Kid-friendly recipes: A fun and simple treat kids can help make (and devour).
- Budget-friendly desserts: Made with pantry staples, this frozen drink won’t break the bank.
- How to make a slushie at home: Skip the gas station—this DIY version is just as good, if not better.
If you’ve ever craved a gas station slushie but didn’t want to leave the house, this recipe is your answer. With just a few simple ingredients, you can make slushies at home that are cold, colorful, and packed with flavor. It’s a five-minute fix for hot days, afternoon snacks, or just something fun to whip up with the kids.
The best part? You can mix and match flavors to create your own combos—think cherry lime, grape ginger ale, or a tropical twist with orange soda. Once you try this easy method to make slushies at home, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This slushie recipe calls for fairly basic ingredients. Carbonated soda gives it that lighter slushie texture an powdered drink mix, like Kool-Aid, give it bold flavor! Truly a great way to beat the heat on a hot summer day. Here is what you need to get started:
- Soda: Specifically, Sprite, club soda, seltzer, tonic water or ginger ale. The carbonation helps to give the drink that classic light fluffy texture.
- Sugar: Just a touch of sugar to cut back on the tang of straight drink powder.
- Powdered Drink Mix: Drink mixes will give you a more bold flavor in place of fruit juice. Kool-Aid powder is always a good cheap option, but you can use any powdered drink mix. Your flavor options are nearly endless and you can use your favorite flavors! If you opt for a mix that doesn’t need added sugar, skip the sugar called for in this recipe.
- Ice Cubes: More ice = more slush. Less ice = drink consistency that is still delicious.
Jesseca’s Recipe Review
This homemade slushy takes me straight back to childhood summers, except now I get to customize the flavors and skip the gas station run. It’s icy, refreshing, and ridiculously easy. My family’s favorite is cherry with a splash of lemon-lime soda, but we’ve tried just about every combo under the sun.
Tip from Jesseca:
For the best texture, freeze your soda in an ice cube tray ahead of time. It gives you that thick, frosty consistency without watering down the flavor. Total game-changer!
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best parts about this at home slushie is how flexible it is. Don’t have one of the ingredients? No problem—here are some easy swaps and fun ways to mix things up:
- Soda: Any bubbly drink will do! Try Sprite for a citrusy twist, ginger ale for a little spice, or club soda/seltzer to cut down on sugar. Want something fruity? Flavored sparkling waters work great too.
- Sugar: You can skip the sugar entirely if your drink mix or soda is sweet enough. Prefer natural sweeteners? Try honey, agave, or a sugar-free substitute like stevia, just adjust to taste.
- Powdered drink mix: Kool-Aid is a classic, but you can use any powdered mix you love. Think lemonade, cherry, or blue raspberry. You can also use juice concentrate (about 2 tablespoons) for a stronger fruit flavor.
Want to level up? Blend in frozen fruit, swirl in a bit of sherbet, or top with whipped cream for a treat that feels way more impressive than it should.
How To Make Kool Aid Slushies
Once you’ve tried this diy slushie you’ll be obsessed with trying all of the different flavors. It’s a summer drink that everyone will be begging for- and you don’t even need a slushie machine! Your only worry? The occasional brain freeze.
- Add ingredients to the blender: Add soda, sugar, powdered drink mix, and 1 cup of ice to a blender.
- Blend the base: Blend for about 30 seconds, just until everything is well combined.
- Add more ice: Add 2 to 3 more cups of ice and blend again until you reach that perfect slushie texture.
- Check consistency: Pour into two glasses and serve immediately.
- Enjoy: That’s it! Customize it with different flavors, add fun toppings, or freeze a batch for later. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
That’s it! Customize it with different flavors, add fun toppings, or freeze a batch for later. Once you try it, you’ll never go back to store-bought again.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
Homemade slushies are best enjoyed right after blending, but you can make them ahead with a little trick.
To prep in advance, blend the slushie as directed and pour it into a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready to enjoy, let it sit at room temperature for 10–15 minutes, then give it a good stir or re-blend for that perfect icy texture.
If you have leftovers (rare, but it happens!), store them in the freezer in an airtight container for up to 1 week. Just know the texture may get a little icy the longer it sits, so a quick re-blend or a fork fluff will help bring it back to life.
Recipe FAQs
It’s tricky, but possible! Try crushing the ice in a food processor or by placing it in a zip-top bag and smashing it with a rolling pin. Then stir in the soda, drink mix, and sugar until well combined.
Yes! You can swap the soda for fruit juice or a mix of juice and sparkling water for a different flavor profile and less fizz.
You may have added too much liquid or over-blended. Toss in a handful more ice and pulse briefly to thicken it up.
If your soda and drink mix are sweetened already, skip the extra sugar. Or use a sugar substitute like stevia, monk fruit, or erythritol.
Absolutely. Just double or triple the ingredients and blend in batches. Serve right away, or store in the freezer and re-blend before serving.
Yes! Add a shot of rum, vodka, or tequila to the blender for an adult twist. Just don’t overdo it—alcohol lowers the freezing point, which can affect the texture.
Homemade Slushie Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups lemon lime soda
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon powdered drink mix (like Kool-Aid)
- 3-4 cups of ice
Instructions
- Pour your soda of choice into the blender. Add in the sugar and powdered drink mix. Toss in 1 cup of ice to help it start blending smoothly.
- Secure the lid and pulse the mixture for about 30 seconds, or until the sugar dissolves and everything is well combined.
- Add 2 to 3 additional cups of ice (depending on how thick you want it) and blend again. This may take another 30–60 seconds. Stop and scrape down the sides if needed to help everything blend evenly.
- The mixture should look thick and icy—similar to a gas station slushie. If it’s too thin, toss in another handful of ice and blend again.
- Pour the slushie into two glasses and serve right away. Enjoy it as-is or dress it up with straws, fresh fruit, or even a splash of extra soda on top.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
More Frozen Treats to Try
- Copycat Wendy’s Frosty
- Starbucks Strawberry Frappuccino Recipe
- Frozen Butterbeer Recipe
- Copycat Chick-fil-A Frosted Lemonade Recipe
- Strawberry and Cream Milkshake
