Frozen Aperol Spritz in the Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker

I'm obsessed with this drink.  I've made this at least 4 times this summer.  At first I thought a frozen cocktail could not get any better than the Frozen Club Special, and then I mastered the Frozen Hillstone Crisp Martini.  That was definitely last summer's drink of choice.  This year will go down as the summer of the Frozen Aperol Spritz.  This is so easy to make, I just dump everything into the Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker and let it do all of the work.  The bright, bittersweet taste of Aperol is a flavor unlike anything else.  It highlights the orange juice perfectly, for a not-too-sweet cocktail.  When I say you can enjoy these all afternoon I mean it.  You probably shouldn't.  That is on you.  I'm just saying when you see what a bright summery-colorful drink this is, not to mention the refreshing flavor, you might be tempted to have more than one.  I will be having more than one.  All summer long on my patio.

The drink of summer 2026!

My absolute favorite way to use the
Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker.

The color is so vibrant and the taste
is even better.

Can you tell I've made these
several times already?

I love a regular Aperol Spritz, but
something about this frozen version
is even better.  Especially on a hot
summer day.

FROZEN APEROL SPRITZ in the
NINJA SLUSHI PROFESSIONAL DRINK MAKER

1 750ml bottle Prosecco wine
1 cup Aperol liqueur
1 cup club soda
1 cup pulp-free orange juice
orange slices for garnish

Combine the liquid ingredients into a large pitcher and carefully pour into the slushi machine.  Select the "spiked slush" setting and allow the drink to freeze.  Once the slushi is frozen, dispense into a glass and garnish with an orange slice and enjoy.

Frozen Sangria in the Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker

My hometown is famous for a couple of things.  Sooner Football and the Sooner Swirl.  The Oklahoma Sooners football team - 7 time National Champions need no introduction.  But I should introduce you to the Sooner Swirl.  Similar to my Miami Vice Cocktail, the Sooner Swirl is a red and white concoction of frozen margarita and frozen sangria swirled together.  Just about every restaurant around town serves one, and it is tasty.  Especially on a hot game day!  I saw a post a while back from the Ninja Kitchen folks that said if they choose one of your recipes, you could win a free Slushi Machine.  I've tried desperately all summer to win one, because dang it, we want to make swirls.  Of course we could substitute our blender, but we are dying to have two Ninja Slushi machines next to each other on our bar like our local restaurants.  That way we could make Sooner Swirls at tailgate.  Yes, Ninja makes a carrying case for the Slushi Machine, and I'm just crazy enough to haul those things to campus every Saturday this fall.  The world needs to know about the Ninja Slushi machine, and they definitely need to know about the Sooner Swirl!  One of the first things we made with our Slushi machine was a Frozen Sangria.  Mr. Devilish Dish is a red wine lover and frozen sangria was the first thing he wanted to make.  We cheated and bought a big jug of ready to drink sangria at the store.  (By the way, those glass jugs are really cute and I hate to admit I have several in my garage just waiting for a crafty idea to pop into my head.) Mr. Devilish Dish just "doctored up" said sangria by adding some freshly squeezed fruit juice and a little club soda.  The result was a refreshing concoction that has made numerous appearances on my patio all year.  Now I just need the good folks at Ninja to bless me with a second machine so I can do frozen margaritas at the same time. 

This is the easiest, tastiest drink.
The color is gorgeous and the flavor
is so refreshing.

 

Simply combine store-bough sangria,
fresh fruit juice and club soda.

Delicious! Now...Imagine this swirled with a frozen
margarita?  Sooner Perfection in a glass!

FROZEN SANGRIA in the NINJA SLUSHI PROFESSIONAL DRINK MAKER

32 ounces Ready to Drink Sangria Wine
2 ounces Fresh squeezed lemon juice
2 ounces Fresh squeezed orange juice
2 ounces Fresh squeezed lime juice
4 ounces Club Soda

Combine all ingredients in the Ninja Slushi and freeze.

Frozen Hillstone Crisp Martini in the Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker

A while back I shared a recipe for the Viral Hillstone Restaurant's Crisp Martini, also known as the "Sauvy B Martini."  I shared the recipe with my BFF Jenny (of Aunt Jenny's Watermelon Salad) She loves to cook and entertain like I do.  She also has a Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker.  All summer we have been sharing our concoctions with each other.  Last weekend we were having a chat and she said,

"Have you figured out a frozen version of the Hillstone Martini yet?" 

I said, "No, not yet.  Just do the Frozen Hugo Spritz, it's similar." 

Her response was, "We have and it's good, but WE WANT a Frozen Hillstone!"

So on Sunday, I was tired from a previous late-night concert, but started dragging out bottles from the bar.  Mr. Devilish Dish asked, "Surely you are not making a cocktail are you?"

And I said, "I HAVE TO.  Jenny NEEDS me!"

I feel like we've created enough cocktails in our Ninja Slushi this summer, that we are learning to get the right balance of ingredients for the maximum frozen experience, because I NAILED THIS on the first try.  The perfect blend of floral flavor from the St. Germain Liqueur and the Gin, plus the tang of lemon juice and Sauvignon Blanc wine and just a little sweetness from some simple syrup.  This might be my favorite concoction of the summer.  The Martini is delicious as is, but a spin through the Ninja Slushi takes it to the next level.  The were so refreshing as we sat in our little pool Sunday in the unforgiving Oklahoma heat and thoroughly enjoyed them. 

I didn't think anything could possibly taste
better than the Hillstone Crisp Martini, 
but then I FROZE it.  
Amazing.

This might be the best thing to ever dispense
from our Ninja Slushi!

We love this thing.  Definitely got our money's worth 

this summer.

Even better in our pool.  We call it the 
grown-up pool because it has two seats
and two cup holders.  Perfect  for holding
a Frozen Hillstone Crisp Martini if 
you put it in the right glass.

It was so hot even Ghirardelli got in the 
pool to cool off!

FROZEN HILLSTONE CRISP MARTINI in the NINJA SLUSHI PROFESSIONAL DRINK MAKER

1 1/2 Cups Sauvignon Blanc Wine
2 Cups Water
1/2 Cup Gin
1/2 Cup St. Germaine Liqueur
2.5 ounces Simple Syrup

Lime peel for garnish

Combine all ingredients (except Lime Peel) and pour into the Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker.  Select the Spiked Slush Setting, and the Highest Setting (10 Bars) Freeze.  Garnish with a lime peel and enjoy.  

National Coffee Milkshake Day: Frozen Caffeine Dream in the Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker

I'm obsessed with our Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker.  Most of the cocktails we've made have involved a lot of trial and error on our part to create the perfect frozen cocktail.  Rarely have we used any shortcuts or drink mixers, simply because we love to experiment and try new things and if it is something from scratch - typically that makes the experience even better for us.  We are both coffee drinkers in the morning, cold brew usually.  (Haven't tried running that through the Slushi, although the wheels are spinning now!) Occasionally we will have an afternoon coffee for a pick me up and once in a while we've been known to imbibe in some sort of after dinner coffee cocktail.  The other day I was reading a book on the patio and thought how good an afternoon coffee sounded, and since it was Saturday, what would a shot or two of something from our home bar hurt?  I typically keep a few Starbucks Bottled Frappuccinos on hand, and I've been known to stick them in the freezer for a little while.  What is way better than a trip to the freezer is a spin in the Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker.  I had to add two bottles of the Frappuccino to reach the minimum fill line.  Which was fine. I'm willing to share with Mr. Devilish Dish.  I also added some coffee liqueur and Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur.  The result was the most decadent, luscious frozen coffee drink.  Almost a milkshake.  Coincidentally it happens to be National Coffee Milkshake Day, and this is even better: an afternoon pick me up for sure but would make a great dessert too!  And so simple.  Literally three ingredients and a Slushi cycle for pure indulgence.

The "Caffeine Dream" Perfect for an
afternoon pick-me-up, or an indulgent
after dinner drink.

Add the Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino
to the Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen
Drink Maker.

 

Add a shot of your favorite coffee liqueur

Add a shot of Irish Cream Liqueur

Freeze and enjoy

Garnish with coffee beans if desired.

Imbibe and Indulge!

FROZEN CAFFEINE DREAM IN THE NINJA SLUSHI PROFESSIONAL DRINK MAKER

2 (13.7oz) Bottles Starbucks Frappuccino Coffee Drink

1 Shot Coffee Liqueur (like Arrosta, Kahlua or Mr. Black)
1 Shot Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur

Pour all ingredients into the Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker.  Select the Spiked Slush mode.  You will not need all 10 bars of "slushiness" :) 7-8 bars will do.  This freezes fast and almost to a milkshake consistency.  Very delicious.  Serve in a coffee mug and garnish with a few coffee beans if desired.  Makes 2 large or 4 small servings.  Double the recipe if you want more.  

Frozen Hugo Spritz Cocktail in the Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker

 Our summer obsession has been creating cocktails in our Ninja Slushi Professional Drink Maker.  We're like Mad Scientists over here creating frozen drinks with varying levels of success.  (Nothing is a true failure because they're still drinkable even if they are not perfection.) We've had great triumph with our Frozen Oklahoma Club Specials and Frozen Chi Chis (for National Pina Colada Day.) Sometimes we need a break from our libation laboratory and we just check out the Ninja Test Kitchen for interesting recipes they post.  That way we know the recipe has been previously tested for frozen perfection.  I'm a huge fan of St. Germain - it's a tasty elderflower flavored liqueur that pairs really well with citrus flavors like grapefruit and also compliments white wines like Prosecco and Sauvignon Blanc (Check out my Hilltop Crisp Martinis for the great combination of St. Germain & Sauv Blanc!) Similar to the Hilltop Crisp Martini, the Hugo Spritz is a refreshing floral Italian aperitif cocktail made with Prosecco, elderflower liqueur, soda water and mint.  If you think that sounds refreshing on a hot summer day, then imagine that mixture in Slushi Form!  It's not only a sophisticated-sounding cocktail, but the traditional lime wheel and mint leaf garnish are stunning on the eyes.  This is one we will be making again for an afternoon on the patio!

The Hugo Spritz Cocktail - made even
more delicious in the Ninja Slushi 
Professional Frozen Drink Machine.

FROZEN HUGO SPRITZ COCKTAIL (adapted for the Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker)

(makes 6-8 servings)

3 Cups Prosecco
2 Cups Water
2 Cups St.Germain Elderflower Liqueur
1/4 Cup Fresh Squeezed Lime Juice

Fresh Mint Leaves for Garnish
Lime Wheels for Garnish

Add the Prosecco, water, St. Germain Liqueur and lime juice to the Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker.  Follow the manufacturer's instructions to freeze.  Garnish with fresh mint leaves and a lime wheel and enjoy.

By the way, I have enough fresh
mint leaves to garnish these cocktails
for an eternity. 

National Pina Colada Day - The Chi Chi in the Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker

It's National Pina Colada Day!  If you haven't tried a Chi Chi, then you are in for a treat.  It is Pina Colada's little sister.  Where a Pina Colada is made with rum, a Chi Chi features vodka.  We were in Palm Beach, Florida a couple of weeks ago and it is safe to say we enjoyed our fair share of Pina Coladas and Miami Vices.  Now that we're back to the Oklahoma heat (minus the beach view) I wanted to re-create the flavors of our vacation using our Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker.  Last week I shared a Frozen version of one of our favorite cocktails: The Oklahoma Club Special. We have had so much fun with our Slushi Maker, I have been determined to adapt some of our most revered cocktail recipes for the Ninja.  After several trial runs over the July 4th weekend, we finally achieved success with the Chi Chi!  And I think I might even like it better than a traditional Pina Colada because I may or may not have had too many Rum & Cokes back in my college days.  Run, don't walk and get yourself a Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker so you can cool off with a Chi Chi.

The Chi Chi - Pina Colada's delicious
little sister.

Garnish with whipped cream and a cherry
if desired.  Delicious but not necessary.

Apparently in Florida the correct garnish
is a fresh flower!

A beach, a book and a Miami Vice...

THE CHI CHI (Adapted for the Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker)

9 ounces Pineapple Juice
6 ounces Coco Lopez Cream of Coconut

2 ounces Vodka (Rum if you want a traditional Pina Colada)
6 ounces water

In a measuring cup whisk together pineapple juice, cream of coconut and vodka.  Pour into your Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker.  Add 6 ounces of water to the measuring cup and kind of rinse it out, adding to the drink maker.  Select the Spiked Slush setting and the highest setting (10 bars)

Enjoy once it is frozen! (Garnish with whipped cream and a cherry if desired - or if you're in Florida, apparently a fresh flower!)

Frozen Club Specials in the Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker

 Mr. Devilish Dish and I have been working quite a bit in our backyard this year.  We added some really cool cafe lights around our deck and a couple of fun flower beds (even one that is fishing themed!) Since we both enjoy fishing so much, we try to stay acclimated to the heat.  We spend a lot of time sitting on our patio.  We've created quite the little oasis, and sit out there in the evenings and watch TV or listen to music.  All of this made more enjoyable with a cold beverage.  For my birthday this year, I treated myself to the Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker.  It features 5 unique presets that use a RapidChill Technology to determine the perfect temperature for the ideal frozen drink.  Translation: It is not a blender, no ice is involved.  The results are the perfect textured frozen drinks that are not watered down.  They don't have to be adult beverages either, with settings for milkshakes and non-alcoholic slushes.  I've shared with you before that Oklahoma has a famous drink called the Club Special  It was invented at a golf course, and has grown in popularity, so much that you can pretty much order one anywhere around the state.  A few places even feature a Frozen Club Special, which is the more attractive older brother of a Club Special on the rocks.  The day we took our Ninja Slushi out of the box, we were determined to create our favorite cocktail in frozen form.  Success!  The Frozen Club Special is our favorite summer beverage on our patio. It is sweet and tart, from Sprite and citrus juices and so refreshing on a hot day.  

The Famous Oklahoma Club Special-
made even better in frozen form with the 
Ninja Slushi Professional Frozen Drink Maker.

The ideal patio beverage on a hot summer day!

FROZEN CLUB SPECIAL IN THE NINJA SLUSHI (MODEL FS301)

40oz Limeade (made from frozen concentrate)
7.5-8oz Sprite

4 oz vodka

4 oz club soda

1 oz fresh lime juice

1 oz fresh lemon juice

Combine ingredients and pour into the Ninja Slushi vessel.  We like to choose Setting 8 as anything higher tends to come out like a dry snow.  We also like to make the concentrate ahead of time and store in the refrigerator so we can have a frozen club special at a moments notice.  

Everything is so easy to assemble, operate and clean.  The folks at Ninja Slushi have so many videos and additional recipes at the Ninja Test Kitchen.