Well, it's almost halfway through the summer and I'm finally posting my first recipe for my summer drink series.  Fortunately, to make up for my tardiness, it's a really good one!

My neighbor first made these for a party about a year and a half ago, and I have been hooked ever since!  I never really drank bourbon before, and this is the perfect combination of fruit juices and sweetness has eased me into the idea of bourbon consumption.  The mix should be made at least 24 hours in advance, though from experience I would recommend 48 hours to ensure that the liquid has all "slushified" in the freezer.  While it worked for a little bit as a beverage in a cooler at a potluck this past weekend, fortunately it was a big hit and all the slushie was depleted quickly because a cooler full of ice just can't keep the frozen consistency as well as a freezer.  So you may have to keep this on the "house party only" list.

Bourbon Slushies


Ingredients

  • 6 oz frozen orange juice concentrate
  • 12 oz frozen lemonade concentrate
  • 24 oz can pineapple juice
  • 2 cups strong brewed black tea
  • 500-750 ml bourbon whiskey (depending on how strong you want to serve it)
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 liter lemon-lime soda
  • Maraschino cherries for serving



  1. Mix the juices, tea, whiskey, and sugar in a large bowl until the sugar has been incorporated.
  2. Transfer into a large sealable storage container and place in the freezer.
  3. Freeze the mixture for 24-48 hours, erring to the longer duration.
  4. Remove from freezer and break up the mixture (if too hard) with a whisk to get it to the slushie consistency.
  5. Use an ice cream scoop to place 2-3 scoops in a cup.
  6. Top with a splash or two of lemon-lime soda (add more if the slushie is too strong for your preferences).
  7. Add a maraschino cherry and some cherry juice for garnish.