It’s hot, it’s sunny, and you’re looking for a cool, refreshing, alcoholic drink. How about a few frozen cocktails?
From the fruity delights of a Frozen Margarita or Frojito (a Frozen Mojito) to the simple pleasures of a Vodka Lemonade Slushie, there’s nothing quite like frozen alcoholic drinks on a day.
In this article, our expert drink mixers look at the simple process behind creating frozen cocktails at home. We’ve even added a list of our favorite frozen drinks recipes. Let’s get to mixing and freezing!
What are frozen cocktails?
Frozen cocktails come in a variety of shapes and flavors. At their most basic, these are alcoholic beverages mixed with ice and turned into a slushy, or mixed with ice and water and then frozen!
The simplest example is a Frozen Margarita. The flawless blend of tequila, triple sec, and lime juice create a deliciously classic cocktail and frozen drinks mix. These ingredients are mixed with crushed ice and thrown into the blender to create a smooth slushie.
The slushie can then be frozen again, or if it’s already cold enough, partygoers can enjoy it straight out of the blender (we recommend you freeze first, though!)
How to freeze cocktails
Frozen Margaritas is the most basic example of frozen alcoholic drink recipes, but you can apply the same concept to many more cocktails. Remember, you do need a lot of ice for this to work - especially if you’re having a summer party!
Given that these drinks need time to freeze properly, you need to prepare frozen drink recipes in advance!
We suggest employing an ice ball maker to make perfectly sized ice cubes for a smoother slushie. Once you have lots of ice, simply blend your chosen cocktail with the ice and stick it in a freezable container.
Break the process of freezing cocktails into the following steps:
- Prepare plenty of ice
- Select your freezer-friendly cocktail
- Mix your soon-to-be frozen mixed drinks
- Blend your cocktail with ice
- Transfer to the freezer and allow to set
- Enjoy your poolside cocktail with friends!
You can prepare frozen cocktails in bulk to make the process more efficient. Just check your freezer to make sure you have enough space for all those pitchers!
How long do frozen cocktails last?
Alcohol doesn’t actually freeze, so your frozen cocktails are always in a sort of semi-slushy state. This means they are always ready to enjoy as is with just a quick stir!
However, you can keep them in the freezer for up to one month before things start to get a little iffy. Don’t worry about freezing strong alcohol for this length of time; it’s actually a common way to keep spirits cool (frozen, chilled vodka is excellent!)
Our top 5 favorite frozen cocktails
While you can technically take any cocktails and turn them into frozen drinks blenders, some cocktails are just better frozen than others.
These include many of our classic summer favorites, like the Frozen Daiquiri and the Frozen Mojito, amongst many more. If it’s light and fruity, it’s going to freeze well. We don’t recommend freezing creamier drinks(except perhaps, the Pina colada!)
Let’s take a look at the best frozen cocktail recipes that you can easily make at home just before your friends arrive for an evening by the pool.
#1 Frozen Margarita
We’ve already mentioned the Frozen Margarita once.
This one makes the top of our list because this cocktail is a freezableclassic. In fact, Frozen Margaritas have become a firm favorite in many of the warmer parts of the world frequented by American tourists - we just love to sit back around the swimming pool with a Frozen Margarita in hand!
This classic recipe needs 2 parts tequila, 1 part triple sec, and 1 part lime juice. Mix with sugar syrup for a sweeter finish. Blend with ice, leave it in the freezer for just a couple of hours, and serve with fresh lime to garnish.
#2 Frozen Daiquiri
The Daiquiri is another classic cocktail that’s also perfect for freezing. These are the best frozen rum drinks because a Daiquiri calls for a delightful mix of white rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, and sugar syrup.
Of course, there are many ways to add fruitiness to this standard recipe, including the famous Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri. Add bananas, kiwi, mango, and oranges for a tropical take on this simple Daiquiri recipe.
To make this frozen favorite, you’ll need to blend frozen strawberries (other frozen berries work well, too) with rum, lime juice, and ice - it’s a sweet, frozen, slushie delight!
#3 Frozen Mojito
The Frozen Mojito (orFrojito) is a wonderfully refreshing cocktail that goes down particularly well at the summer party. The traditional Mojito is a Cuban favorite that bartenders prepare using white rum, freshly squeezed lime juice, sugar syrup, soda water, and plenty of muddled mint.
The frozen version of the Mojito is essentially the same.
Mix up all of the ingredients, but instead of pouring directly over the crushed ice, you blend with ice to make a Mojito slushie. Freeze the blended ice Mojito, and a few hours later, enjoy sipping on a minty-cool and refreshingFrojito.
#4 Vodka Lemonade Slushie
If it wasn’t for the copious quantities of vodka in this cocktail, then the Vodka Lemonade Slushie could easily be mistaken for a yummy kid’s drink!
It’s super simple to make.
You need vodka, lemonade (or lemon or lime juice), and plenty of ice. Mix everything together in a blender, then allow to freeze overnight.
You can easily add variety to this frozen cocktail recipe, too. Instead of lemonade, almost any other fruit juice or drink goes well in this frozen vodka beverage. Try peach, orange, grapefruit, pink lemonade - trust us, it’s going to work!
#5 Frozen G and T
Gin and Tonics are by far one of the easiest cocktails to make (do they even count as cocktails if there are only two drinks to mix?)
They are just as easy to turn into a frozen delight.
A simple G and T is literally just tonic, usually in a ratio of 1 part gin to 2 or 3 parts tonic (it depends how strong you enjoy your drinks.) So start by mixing up a batch of Gin and Tonic, then pour it into the blender and give it a good blend with your fresh ice.
You’ve now got a Frozen G and T! We suggest garnishing with lemon or lime wedges, or perhaps a few mint leaves or a slice of cucumber.
Frozen cocktails: Mix and freeze!
Whether it’s a Frozen Margarita or a Vodka Lemonade Slushie, there’s nothing that can beat frozen cocktails on a scorching July afternoon!
Save these fantastic frozen recipes for the hottest days of the year when you need that extra bit of coolness to keep away the heat.
If you’re looking for the best refreshing summer cocktails, then bookmark our guide to the best frozen cocktails for future inspiration.