Slush

This frozen vodka slush is the kind of batch cocktail that shows up at every Midwestern backyard party and disappears fast. Orange juice, lemonade, cold tea, and a sugar syrup get mixed with a generous pour of vodka, then the whole thing goes into the freezer overnight.

The alcohol keeps it from freezing solid, so you end up with a scoopable, icy slush that’s sweet, tart, and dangerously easy to drink. The tea adds a subtle tannin backbone that keeps it from tasting like straight-up juice and sugar.

Stir it once before freezing and again the next morning to break up any ice crystals. From there, just scoop into glasses whenever someone needs a cold drink.

Pro Tips

• Make sure the sugar syrup is fully dissolved and cooled before mixing with the juice and vodka. Hot syrup will change the flavor of the orange juice.
• Use a wide, shallow container for freezing. More surface area means faster, more even freezing and easier scooping.
• The slush keeps in the freezer for weeks. It’s always ready for an unexpected gathering.
• Stir or rake with a fork before serving if it’s been sitting untouched for a while. This restores the slushy texture.

Variations

• Rum version: Swap vodka for white rum for a more tropical, sugarcane-forward flavor.
• Gin botanical: Use gin instead of vodka. The juniper and botanicals add herbal complexity to the citrus.
• Berry slush: Blend in a cup of frozen strawberries or raspberries before freezing for a fruity pink slush.