19 Frozen Cocktails to Blend Up This Summer
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If you’re spending a hot summer day by the pool, the afternoon’s not complete without an icy frozen drink. And if you’re not spending the day poolside, a frozen summer cocktail (or even a mocktail) will only make it better. Whether it’s a boozy slushy made with fresh or frozen fruit, a creamy milkshake, or a tropical classic, these summer drinks perfectly complement an abundance of summer sunshine.
So grab some ice (like a lot of ice); our best frozen cocktail recipes will keep you cool all season long.
Photo by Alex Lau1/19BA’s Best Piña Colada
A piña colada is the quintessential frozen drink and deserves the best. That means aged white rum, cream of coconut and coconut milk, and no store-bought pineapple juice. Instead, cut up a whole fresh pineapple, then freeze it to get the texture right.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Molly Baz, prop styling by Emily Eisen3/19Chill-Out Honeydew Cucumber Slushy
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero, Prop Styling by Linden Elstran4/19Frozen Espresso Martini With Spiked Whipped Cream
Cross an espresso martini with the icy, blended coffees from a certain chain and the result is this sweet, buzzy treat. Don’t skip the whipped cream topping, which is also spiked with coffee liqueur.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero, Prop Styling by Linden Elstran5/19Spicy Mango Margarita
This frozen margarita recipe takes the basic formula (tequila + orange liqueur + lime juice + sugar) and, with the help of mango and a blender, transforms it into a batch of icy cocktails even more refreshing than the original.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, Prop Styling by Sean Dooley, Food Styling by Kendra Vaculin6/19Frozen Negroni
This chilled-out negroni is slushy and not too boozy; fresh orange juice joins the usual 1:1:1 ratio of gin, vermouth, and Campari, keeping the ABV low and helping the drink stay frozen for longer.
Photograph by Emma Fishman, food styling by Caroline Hwang, prop styling by Elizabeth Jaime.7/19Citrus Slushy
Enjoy this booze-free slushy as is, or top it with tequila or rum to turn it into an alcoholic drink for happy hour (or brunch). Seriously, your blender will do all the work. You don’t even have to make simple syrup.
Photograph by Dylan + Jeni, food styling by Susie Theodorou, prop styling by Aneta Florczyk8/19Lime-Lemongrass Slushies
This tart-sweet sipper is one of our favorite summer drinks to enjoy with Thai food, but it would be a hit at any cookout. (Hello, fish tacos.) Using fresh lime juice is essential for a balanced flavor.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero, Prop Styling by Linden Elstran9/19The Iciest Strawberry Daiquiri
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco10/19Frozen Garibaldi
This simple blend of frozen orange juice and bitter Campari is, frankly, flawless. It’s a low-ABV, brunch-friendly little number made even more flavorful from the addition of a generous pinch of salt.
Photo by Travis Rainey, Food Styling by Maggie Ruggiero, Prop Styling by Linden Elstran11/19Paloma Slushy
Take a classic paloma cocktail for a spin in the blender with a handful of ice cubes and the result is a frosty delight. Frozen grapefruit and lime juice help achieve a perfectly slushy texture.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco12/19Boozy Banana Latte
Cold-brew coffee concentrate as a mixer? It’s true. The bold brew pairs wonderfully with the earthy, subtly smoky notes of mezcal, cinnamon, and vanilla, while frozen banana introduces a rich texture and a hint of sweetness to this creamy blended coffee cocktail.
Photograph by Shawn Michael Jones, Prop Styling by Gerri Williams, Food Styling by Micah Morton13/19Watermelon Cucumber Slushy
Alex Lau14/19Dark and Stormy Slushy
The classic Dark and Stormy is approximately 100 years old and even has its own trademark. But we think this frozen cocktail version is pretty impressive too.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Molly Baz, prop styling by Emily Eisen15/19Beauty-Food Mango Slushy
Mangoes are packed with vitamins C and A, both of which provide major skin-brightening benefits. Lime and chile keep this slushy spicy and bright.
Ted Cavanaugh16/19Arnie’s Gimlet Slush
This is the Arnold Palmer’s alter ego. Instead of lemonade, Arnie's Gimlet Slush opts for vodka, simple syrup, and lime juice to round out the chilled black tea.
Photo by Alex Lau, food styling by Molly Baz, prop styling by Emily Eisen17/19Inflammation-Busting Pineapple Slushy
This nonalcoholic slushy is an anti-inflammatory triple-threat thanks to the tart pineapple, earthy turmeric, and just enough ginger to let you know you’re alive.
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Maggie DiMarco18/19Sherry Colada
Sherry is a lighter, more delicate-tasting stand-in for the usual rum of a classic piña colada. Stick with fino or manzanilla sherry so as not to overwhelm the pineapple. Nothing can take the place of cream of coconut, so don’t bother trying—and definitely don’t mix it up with coconut cream, a different, unsweetened product.
