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Mix it up this winter with this Christmas slush, a fruity vodka slush recipe with pineapple juice! This holiday slush will make everything a little brighter this year!
*Please note* this post was originally published in 2018. I’ve added a video but the recipe remains the same.
I really should have named this post “Dad’s Christmas Slush”, because it is without a doubt, my Dad’s recipe. I’m not sure where this Christmas slush originated from – I think from one of the men he worked with, but it kind of became a tradition, at least since I was old enough to drink it! 🙂 Christmas usually goes hand in hand (literally) with hot cocoa and hot toddies, not freezing cold drinks, but trust me, when you’re all heated up from playing a wicked game of crib or Monopoly, a cool drink is just what the doctor ordered.
So, have you finished all of your Christmas shopping?! I have only a few stocking stuffers left to get, but for the most part all that’s left is the wrapping. I’m notorious for leaving some of my shopping until a day or two before Christmas, so I’m feeling pretty good about this year! I even have enough time left to have some fun baking with the kids – messy business, I tell you. The boys helped me with some spritz cookies this year, using my cookie press for the first time ever! You might have seen it on my IG stories. Turns out I’ve got some practicing to do before they turn out as pretty as the ones I’ve been seeing pop up on social media!
Next up, gingerbread men. 🙂
But first, this slush.
How do you make Christmas slush?
EASY recipe. If you can operate a spoon and a blender, you can make this slush. The only thing you need to blend is a banana – and as I always say – the browner the better!
Along with the banana, you’ll need:
- lemons
- orange juice
- pineapple juice
- vodka
- simple syrup
How do make the simple syrup?
The simple syrup is easy. Stir together some sugar and water, boiling the mixture for a few minutes on the stove. Once the sugar is melted, you have your syrup.
Blend up your banana, then add it, along with all of the other ingredients (DO NOT forget the vodka 🙂 ) into a freezable container and pop it into the freezer for at least 8 hours, or overnight. I like to take it out and give it a stir every now and then as well.
How long will Christmas slush last in the freezer?
Honestly, I can’t give you a solid answer beyond a couple of weeks. We’ve always had it finished off by then! I would think that it would freeze very well, however, likely for up to 2 months!
How do you serve Christmas slush?
What you choose to mix it with is up to you! I usually just put a few scoops of slush into a glass and add some club soda and a maraschino cherry, along with a little of the cherry juice. This also makes for a pretty effect!
I love this slush for a number of reasons, not just its taste! It can be made well in advance, which saves time on the big day, and you can double or triple the recipe easily to feed a crowd. It requires no fancy ingredients or tools to make, and you can make all sorts of additions or substitutions to it based on personal preference.
As much as I would love to post a million other Christmas recipes before the big day, I think this will be my last for 2018! I hope you have a VERY merry Christmas and Santa is good to you! Keep an eye on my Instagram to see what Etienne and I got the boys this year – I can’t wait for them to see it on Christmas morning!!
♥♥
Some other cocktails for the holiday season:
Or try this Christmas punch from Sugar and Soul! You can even make it non-alcoholic!
And some holiday treats to go with it:
Boozy Christmas Slush
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 litres 1x
Description
Mix it up this winter with this easy, fruity vodka Christmas slush mixed with bubbles of your choice! Top it off with a cherry and you’ve got yourself a fantastic holiday cocktail!
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 ripe banana
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 1 can frozen orange juice, slightly thawed
- 3 cups pineapple juice*
- 1 mickey of vodka (13oz)*
- 7-up, club soda, or gingerale (for serving)
- maraschino cherries, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stir together the water and sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil, and allow it to cook for about 5 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Blend the banana in a blender until liquified. In a 4 litre sized freezer-safe container, mix together the water/sugar, banana, juice of both lemons, frozen orange juice, pineapple juice and the vodka. Use a large wooden spoon and stir until the frozen orange juice is fully incorporated. Place the lid on the container and put the slush in the freezer. Freeze the slush for at least 8 hours, or overnight. I like to give the slush a bit of a stir every few hours.
- To serve: Use an ice cream scoop to fill a tall glass 3/4 full of frozen slush. Top off the glass with club soda, 7-up or gingerale. Add a maraschino cherry, and a little splash of the juice. Serve immediately!
Slush will keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months! Note, it will get more frozen over time.
Notes
- Pineapple juice can be substituted with another juice of choice
- If you’re not a fan of vodka, try white rum. Flavoured vodka is also REALLY good in this recipe. We like it with grapefruit flavoured vodka! Do not omit the alcohol, or the consistency of the slush will not be right.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: cocktails
- Method: freezing
- Cuisine: holiday
Love that this can be made ahead and and particularly love the tropical vibes….so needed this time of year! I’m not quite ready for Christmas, but it will get done. I can’t wait to have a little break and just sit back with hubby and fur baby and chillax. I bet your kiddos are so excited. Christmas morning must certainly be busy in your home! And I bet super fun! Merry Christmas, my friend. Hope Santa is good to you too. Cheers to a wonderful 2019! XOXO
Tropical vibes are definitely needed this time of year! I’m so glad you’re getting that break – much needed and well deserved! My boys are so excited! They ask every night if Santa is coming, haha! I hope Santa is kind to you as well, Dawn. I can’t believe we’ll be saying 2019 soon!! Cheers!
Oh my gosh Katherine! This brings back so many memories. Growing up my mother would always make slush for Christmas! The recipe was pretty similar to yours, except she used lemon gin. Totally reminds me of Christmas! My mother would make a non-alcoholic version for me and my sister. We thought we were so grown up drinking it! I used to make it for Christmas when I first moved out on my own, but I haven’t in years. Would love to have a glass right about now!
I LOVE the idea of lemon gin – I will have to try that! I also love that she made you a non-alcoholic version. We were feeling a little guilty drinking these fun looking drinks and not being able to give the boys any, so I think I’ll have to experiment with a non-alcoholic one too. I’m so glad this recipe brings you memories of your childhood 🙂 CHEERS to you, Leanne! XO
I’ve never seen a drink like this — it’s so pretty Katherine! This sounds like a wonderful tradition in your family and it sounds so refreshing! Merry Christmas to you and your family my friend!
Thank you! It is very refreshing – a nice light drink when you’re stuffing yourself with sweets and feeling heavy this time of year! Merry Christmas to you too, Marcie. Enjoy your holidays! XO
You pictures look awesome! So festive, inviting and gorgeous!! 🙂 Happy Holidays my sweet friend!!
Aw, thanks Kim!! I had fun shooting them outside, although I was starting to freeze my butt off haha. Happy holidays to you too!!
This sounds wonderful and SO TROPICAL! I love the thought of drinking one in the dead of winter so I can pretend I’m on an island someplace sunny :). Merry Christmas to you and your family, Katherine!
YES! It’s a must when you’ve got the winter blues. All that’s missing is one of those little umbrellas 😉 Merry Christmas to you too, Kelsie! XO
Sooooo I can totally see me, my sister and my mom downing a few glasses of this boozy slush during the holidays! I love the topical flavors versus the rich and heavy egg nog thats so abundant right now. Loving this Katherine! XOXO
Absolutely!! It’s such a fun drink with family, and you can add whatever you want to it which is always nice. Maybe time to make it your own tradition too 😉 MERRY Christmas!!
Ha ha ha. Thank you fort the prescription dear doc 🙂 Merry Christmas !
Hah! I do what I can 🙂 Merry Christmas!!
This is such a fun idea! Love it that your dad started the tradition – makes it that much better. Have a wonderful Christmas, my sweet friend!
It really does – I will think of him every time I scoop a glass 🙂 Merry Christmas to you too, Marissa! XO
Where have I been?!! I grew up in the 50’s, but my parents weren’t big drinkers, so I never learned about alcoholic slushes! This summer, tho, my friend made us bourbon slushes, and they were fabulous, even though I dislike bourbon! They’re actually coming up next on my blog. she told me also that they were popular at holiday parties back in the day! Your recipe is very similar.
Hahah – my parents weren’t big drinkers either, but for some reason the slush always got made during the holidays. I would love to try your bourbon variety! There’s something so fun about drinking an alcoholic slush. Look forward to seeing it!
On the blog now!!! https://chefmimiblog.com/bourbon-slush/
Thanks!! It looks delicious!
OH WOW Katherine, this looks so refreshing right now and since here in South Africa we are in the middle of a very hot summer, this slush will be absolutely perfect. Perfect for sipping on the beach.
Happy holidays and a Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family Katherine 🙂
Oh man, this slush is DEFINITELY perfect for a hot Christmas! Wish I could join you on the beach with a glass! Merry Christmas to you, Ashika. I hope you had a lovely holiday XO