Slushies have become one of the hottest—or coolest—beverages this summer, but these are not your everyday cherry Slurpees. Whether made at a
trendy New York City restaurant or in one’s own kitchen, these icy drinks—upgraded with gourmet ingredients, all-natural flavors, and artisanal spirits—are ideal for cooling off during these seemingly relentless dog days.
Boozy Slushies: Across the country, grown-up takes on the kiddie refresher are providing cool relief, in more ways than one. Indeed, adding a splash of booze brings the average slushy to new levels. New York City’s Momofuku serves
soju-soaked slush cocktails; Baltimore’s The Stalking Horse sells the
Mountain Dude, an icy mix of citrus soda and vodka; and DC’s The Reef peddles
frozen picklebacks, a fusion of Jameson and pickle juice. Some frozen cocktails are decidedly less fancy, however. Pok Pok Ny, the first East Coast outpost of chef Andy Ricker’s Thai empire, simply
freezes Singha beer bottles until the contents are slushy, a clever DIY take on the trend.
Healthy Slushies: Food trucks are abundant in most cities these days, but New York's
Kelvin Natural Slush Co. continues to draw crowds wherever it parks. Their unique product is every bit as refreshing as a
Mister Softee cone, but far less indulgent. Available in flavors like spicy ginger and black tea with fresh fruit mix-ins, a Kelvin slushy is more grown-up than its
7-Eleven cousin. Its organic all-natural ingredients make it healthier and tastier too. Recently, Kelvin
expanded its reach beyond the truck to hotels and restaurants by offering exclusive alcohol-infused “Prohibition-style” frozen cocktails at rooftop bars and pools around the city.
Homemade Slushies: A no-frills blender works in a pinch, but niche gadgets that can transform ordinary beverages into a frozen treats should have a place in the kitchen as well.
Slushy Magic is a mug that uses “snowflake science” to turn a cold drink frosty in under a minute.
The Original Slush Mug, an “As Seen On TV”-style miracle appliance, is an old-school alternative that’s been churning out kitchen slushies since the 1970s. Finally,
hand-cranked slushie makers that function like retro ice cream makers may require a bit of arm work, but the workout they provide should offset the calories one is bound to consume when finished.
