Four great slushie cocktail maker recipes for summer
Summer is now in full swing, and with the thermometer rising to record temperatures, we’re all looking for ways to cool off while still enjoying these long, hot days. At Sensio Home we have a selection of handy gadgets to make your summer effortless – from our Sensio Home Ice Cream Maker Machine to our Sensio Home Personal Blender Smoothie Maker. But the product we are all making the most use of at the moment has to be our Sensio Home Snow Cone, Crushed Ice, Slushie Cocktail Maker – and not just to make slushies for the kids.
Admittedly, there’s nothing the kids fancy more than a cold slushie when they take a break from the paddling pool – and it’s the perfect way to encourage them to stay hydrated. Just add ice cubes to the machine, and it will crush them up and dispense cool, icy slush into the reusable cups, ready for them to add flavoured syrup. But our slushie maker comes in very handy for us grown-ups too!
Whether you’re enjoying a post-work sundowner or an al-fresco party with friends, you can use our slushie maker to transform normal ice cubes into slush, over which you can pour something stronger, resulting in a chilled-to-perfection cocktail. If you’re catering for a crowd, simply remove the cup holder and place a bowl underneath so you can crush as much ice as you need. Not only will the crushed ice ensure your cocktails offer maximum refreshment, it also adds texture and dilutes the spirits so they aren’t too strong – ideal when you’re lazing in the sun (or shade).
The only limit is your imagination when it comes to cocktails or mocktails - we’ve rounded up some of our favourite frozen cocktail recipes below for inspiration.
Go retro
If you fancy a taste of those memorable beach holidays without the airport queues, why not mix up a classic piña colada (paper umbrella optional).
1) Piña colada (serves one)
Ingredients:
- 120ml pineapple juice
- 60ml white rum
- 60ml coconut cream
- Wedge of pineapple, to garnish (optional)
Method:
Mix the juice, rum and cream together, pour into a tall glass over crushed ice and garnish with the pineapple wedge.
Worth more than a shot
The drinks world may have been dominated by gin in recent years, but it’s predicted that tequila is about to take its place in the spotlight. So put the shot glasses down and take your time with a zesty tequila-based Paloma.
2) Paloma (serves one)
Ingredients:
- 50ml tequila
- 10ml fresh lime juice, plus an (optional) wedge to wet the glass rim
- 10ml agave syrup
- 200ml pink grapefruit soda (or a mixture of 60ml fresh grapefruit juice and 140ml regular soda water)
- Pink grapefruit slice, to serve
- Salt (optional)
Method:
Rim a tumbler with salt (optional) by wetting the rim with a lime wedge and dipping it in a saucer of salt. Fill the tumbler with ice, add the tequila, lime juice and agave syrup, then stir well. Top up with pink grapefruit soda (or the mixture of juice and soda), garnish with the grapefruit slice and serve.
Crowd pleaser
A chilled glass of prosecco is always popular on a summer’s evening, so why not impress your guests with a Hugo cocktail instead, perfect as a refreshing spritzer or pre-dinner aperitif.
3) Hugo Prosecco Cocktail (serves six)
Ingredients:
- 360ml elderflower cordial
- 750ml prosecco, chilled
- 300ml tonic water, chilled
- 1 lime
- Handful of mint sprigs
Method:
Fill six large wine glasses with crushed ice. Pour 60ml of cordial and 125ml of prosecco into each glass, then top up with 50ml of tonic water. Add a slice of lime and sprig of mint to each glass and serve.
All the flavour, none of the hangover
There’s no reason to serve up bland soda waters if people are driving, have an early start the next day or just want to make healthier choices – mocktails such as this Virgin Mojito are just as flavoursome as any alcohol-based option.
4) Virgin Mojito (serves one)
Ingredients:
- 1 lime, sliced into wedges
- 1 tsp caster sugar
- 6 mint leaves, plus extra to garnish
- 3-4 tbsp apple juice
- Dash of almond extract
- Sparkling water
Method:
Using the end of a rolling pin, muddle the lime wedges with the sugar in a highball glass. Add the mint leaves and lightly muddle again. Fill the glass with ice and pour over the fruit juice and almond extract. Stir, then top up with sparkling water and garnish with more mint leaves.
Order your Sensio Home Snow Cone, Crushed Ice, Slushie Cocktail Maker today – and don’t forget to share your frozen cocktail creations with us on Facebook or Instagram, we’d love to see what you’re serving up!