Slushies are the quintessential frozen summertime treat. With their icy, slushy texture andsweet, fruity flavors, slushies are a perfect way to cool down on a hot day. Best of all, you can easily make restaurant-quality slushies at home using just a few simple ingredients and a powerful Ninja blender.
With a Ninja blender’s strong motor and sharp blades, it can easily crush ice into a perfectly smooth frozen drink texture. Follow this guide to learn how to make colorful, flavorful slushies with your Ninja blender. You’ll also find tips for achieving the ideal frozen slushy consistency, recommended Ninja models to use, and plenty of tasty fruity and indulgent slushy recipes to try. Beat the summer heat with homemade slushies made simple!
Why Make Slushies At Home?
Slushies from convenience stores and movie theaters are certainly tasty, but they often come with high prices, artificial colors and flavors, and unwanted additives. Making slushies at home allows you to:
- Save money – Homemade slushies cost just a fraction of store-bought versions.
- Control the ingredients – Use real fruit, natural sweeteners, and avoid unwanted preservatives and chemicals.
- Customize flavors – Mix and match your favorite fruits and flavors.
- Change the consistency – Make it as thick or thin as you like.
- Add mix-ins – Toss in fresh fruit chunks, chocolate chips, candy pieces, or anything else you like!
- Make healthier options – Substitute things like Greek yogurt or avocado for heavy cream.
- Avoid the lines – No waiting at the store on a hot day!
Making slushies at home is fun for kids and adults alike. Keep reading to learn how to whip up these colorful frozen drinks using just a Ninja blender.
How a Ninja Blender Makes Perfect Slushies
Ninja blenders are ideal for making smooth, frozen slushy drinks at home. Here’s why they work so well:
- Powerful motor – Ninja blenders have motors ranging from 900 to 1500 watts or more. This provides the brute power needed to crush ice into tiny pieces.
- Sharp blades – The stacked blade assembly on Ninja blenders pulverizes ice effortlessly.
- Large capacity – Most Ninja pitchers hold 64 ounces (1.9 L) or more, perfect for big batches of slushies.
- Frozen drink function – Some models have a dedicated frozen drink or ice crush setting. This runs the blades at the ideal speed for perfect frozen consistency.
- Convenient cups – Ninja blenders like the Auto IQ and Foodi models come with single-serve cups. Blend right in the to-go cups!
- Dishwasher-safe parts – Easy cleanup!
With a sturdy Ninja blender, you don’t have to go out for frozen drinks anymore. You can enjoy restaurant-style slushies conveniently at home all summer long.
Tips for Making Smooth Slushies
Creating the perfect slushy texture is key. Here are some tips:
- Use plenty of ice – For each 16 oz (475 ml) of slushy, use approximately 2 cups (300 grams) of ice. Crushing more ice results in a thicker, more frozen consistency.
- Blend in batches – Don’t overfill the blender. For most models, blend 1 quart (1 L) or less at a time to allow room for ingredients to move freely.
- Crush ice first – Before adding liquid and other ingredients, pulse the ice by itself first to break it down into fine pieces. This prevents it from getting jammed under the blades.
- Scrape down the sides – Stop blending periodically to scrape down the sides of the pitcher with a spatula, ensuring even blending.
- Don’t over-blend – Pulse and blend in short intervals. Overprocessing will cause ice to melt and result in a thin, watery drink.
- Work quickly – Have all ingredients chilled and ready before blending. Transfer finished slushies to chilled glasses right away to preserve the frozen texture.
Follow these tips and your homemade slushies will rival any you can buy from a store!
Recommended Ninja Blender Models
While you can make slushies in just about any powerful blender, these Ninja models are especially well-suited:
- Ninja Professional Blender (1100 watts) – With a high-powered 1100 watt motor, Total Crushing blades, and large 72oz pitcher, this is perfect for smooth slushies.
- Ninja Mega Kitchen System (1500 watts) – Step up to an even more robust 1500 watt motor and 64oz food processor bowl. Excellent for big batches.
- Ninja Foodi Power Blender (1400 watts) – This has a huge 108oz pitcher, 1400 watt motor, and smart settings including Frozen Drinks & Smoothies.
- Ninja Auto IQ (1000 watts) – Convenient single-serve blending with durable Pro Extractor blades and on-the-go cups with lids.
- Ninja personal blender (700 watts) – Compact and affordable, good for individual servings. Models like the Nutri Ninja have powerful 700 watt motors.
Ninja’s lineup offers options at every price point. Pick one that fits your needs and soon you’ll be whipping up picture-perfect slushies!
Fruity Slushy Recipes
Fruity slushies are a classic. They make fantastic coolers on hot summer days. Here are some refreshing fruit flavor combinations to try:
Strawberry Lemonade Slushy
- 2 cups (300g) ice
- 1 cup (240ml) lemonade
- 1 cup (240ml) strawberry juice or puree
- Sliced strawberries, for garnish
Blend ice, lemonade and strawberry juice until smooth. Pour into glasses and garnish with fresh strawberry slices.
Pina Colada Slushy
- 2 cups (300g) ice
- 1 cup (240ml) pineapple juice
- 1/2 cup (120ml) coconut cream
- 1/4 cup (60ml) sweetened cream of coconut
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- Pineapple wedges, maraschino cherries, for garnish
Blend all ingredients until slushy consistency is reached. Garnish with pineapple and cherries.
Mixed Berry Slushy
- 2 cups (300g) ice
- 1 cup (150g) mixed berries
- 1/4 cup (60ml) lime juice
- 2 tbsp sugar or honey (or to taste)
- Lime slices, for garnish
Blend ice, berries, lime juice and sweetener until smooth. Add water if needed for consistency. Garnish with lime slices.
Creamy And Indulgent Slushy Recipes
For a richer, creamier slushy, try these indulgent recipes. Just as cool and refreshing, but more milkshake-like.
cookies & Cream Slushy
- 2 cups (300g) ice
- 1 cup (240ml) milk
- 1/4 cup (25g) Oreo cookies, crushed
- 2 tbsp chocolate syrup
- Whipped cream, crushed Oreos, for garnish
Blend ice, milk, crushed cookies and chocolate syrup until smooth and creamy. Garnish with whipped cream and Oreo chunks.
Orange Cream Slushy
- 2 cups (300g) ice
- 1 cup (240ml) orange juice
- 1/3 cup (75ml) sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tbsp vanilla yogurt
Process all ingredients in blender until smooth and creamy. For orange swirl effect, pulse yogurt and orange juice separately before blending everything together.
Root Beer Float Slushy
- 2 cups (300g) ice
- 1 can (12oz) root beer
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
- Whipped cream, maraschino cherry, for garnish
Blend ice, root beer and ice cream until creamy and smooth. Top with whipped cream and a cherry.
Key Takeaways
- Making slushies at home with a Ninja blender is easy, affordable and fun for the whole family.
- Ninja blenders crush ice effortlessly into the perfect slushy frozen consistency thanks to their powerful motors and sharp blades.
- Use plenty of ice and blend in small batches for smooth results. Don’t overfill or overblend.
- Models like the Ninja Professional, Foodi, and Auto IQ are ideal for slushy making.
