There’s nothing like a Strawberry Lemonade Slushie to beat the heat! This vibrant, icy treat blends sweet strawberries with classic lemonade, all topped off with a fizzy splash of Sprite or ginger ale. It’s cheerful, refreshing, and practically made for sunny days with friends or family.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Summer-In-A-Cup: It’s the ultimate way to capture sunshine and strawberries in a frosty, sippable treat.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the slush up to two weeks in advance, making it the MVP of parties, picnics, and spontaneous backyard hangouts.
- Ridiculously Simple: Four basic ingredients, minimal equipment, and zero cooking — just blend, freeze, and enjoy!
- Total Crowd-Pleaser: Its dazzling color and playful flavor never fail to bring big smiles from kids and grown-ups alike.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Let me tell you, the best part about this Strawberry Lemonade Slushie is how the simplest ingredients come together to create pure magic! Every element here plays a starring role—from the juicy strawberries lending color and sweetness, to the zingy lemonade and bubbly topper that make each sip sparkle.
- Strawberries (12 oz): Use hulled, washed berries—fresh is great, but frozen works too! They bring natural sweetness and that gorgeous pink hue.
- Country Time Lemonade Mix (1 cup): This cheerful classic gives the slushie its tart citrus backbone. Feel free to use your favorite lemonade mix if you prefer!
- Water (5 cups): Combines with the lemonade mix and puréed berries to form the perfect slushie base.
- Sprite or Ginger-ale: To finish, a pour of soda adds effervescence, subtle flavor, and a little sweetness—choose ginger ale for a hint of spice, or Sprite for extra citrusy pop!
Variations
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how totally customizable it is! The base Strawberry Lemonade Slushie is already a hit, but it’s so easy to tweak the recipe to fit your tastebuds, dietary needs, or whatever you have on hand.
- Boozy Twist: Add a splash of vodka or white rum to the finished slushie for a grown-up version—absolutely perfect for summer soirees!
- Mixed Berry Magic: Toss in a handful of raspberries or blueberries along with the strawberries for a colorful berry blend.
- Sugar-Free: Use a sugar-free lemonade mix and diet soda to make a lighter version that still delivers maximum refreshment.
- Herbal Spark: Try muddling in a few fresh basil or mint leaves before freezing for a subtly sophisticated twist.
How to Make Strawberry Lemonade Slushie
Step 1: Purée the Strawberries
Start off by tossing your hulled strawberries into a blender or food processor. Blend until you have a smooth, rosy purée—don’t worry if there are still a few tiny berry bits left, they add texture!
Step 2: Mix with Lemonade
Pour the strawberry purée into a large mixing bowl. Add the lemonade mix and water, then stir vigorously until the mix is fully dissolved and the color looks delightfully pink and cheerful.
Step 3: Freeze and Fluff
Transfer the mixture to a metal or plastic 9×13 dish—it helps the slush freeze evenly. Place it in the freezer and set a timer for one hour. When time’s up, scrape the icy edges and top with a fork, then give it a stir. Repeat this scraping every hour for about 4 hours, fluffing until it’s all light and icy like shaved snow.
Step 4: Serve with Fizz!
When the mixture looks perfectly slushy, scoop about 1 cup into a glass. Top with cold Sprite or ginger ale—watch it fizz and mingle! Stir gently, grab a straw or spoon, and dive into your homemade Strawberry Lemonade Slushie bliss.
Pro Tips for Making Strawberry Lemonade Slushie
- Berry Selection: Opt for ripe, sweet strawberries for the boldest color and most natural sweetness—overripe berries are totally welcome here!
- Slow Freeze, Fluffy Texture: Scraping the mixture every hour while freezing ensures tiny ice crystals, so your slushie is light and spoonable, not hard and icy.
- Fizz Last, Not First: For maximum bubbles and the best texture, always add the Sprite or ginger ale just before serving—never freeze with the soda!
- Chilled Glasses: If you have a few extra minutes, pop your glasses in the freezer before serving for a slushie that stays frosty longer.
How to Serve Strawberry Lemonade Slushie
Garnishes
A Strawberry Lemonade Slushie is even more inviting with a pretty garnish—try a wheel of lemon on the rim, a strawberry perched on the glass, or a few mint leaves for extra flair. Colorful paper straws or little drink umbrellas never hurt either!
Side Dishes
This slushie pairs perfectly with garden-party favorites like grilled chicken skewers, fresh fruit salads, or a platter of tea sandwiches. It’s also amazing as a non-alcoholic punch for barbecues, picnics, and poolside gatherings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping presentation, serve your Strawberry Lemonade Slushie in Mason jars with a bow of twine, or mini dessert bowls for a “frozen dessert” vibe. Layer it with slices of lemon and berries for a striking ombre effect, or set up a DIY slushie bar with options for add-ins and toppings!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you somehow have leftovers (which almost never happens in my house!), simply scoop the slushie into an airtight container and pop it back in the freezer. It keeps the fluffy texture as long as the container is well-sealed.
Freezing
This Strawberry Lemonade Slushie is actually designed to live in your freezer! You can prepare it up to two weeks in advance. If it gets too solid, just let it thaw on the counter for 10–15 minutes and fluff it with a fork before serving.
Reheating
Technically, you don’t reheat a slushie, but if it’s become too firm in the freezer, set it out at room temperature for a short stint to soften. Then just give it a scrape and it’s good to go—refreshingly icy all over again!
FAQs
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Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Frozen strawberries work just as well—no need to thaw them before blending. They might even make the purée a little thicker and chill the mixture faster for the Strawberry Lemonade Slushie.
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Is it possible to use homemade lemonade instead of mix?
Yes, fresh homemade lemonade (using lemon juice and sugar) can be used. Adjust the sweetness and tartness to taste—about 1 cup of concentrated lemonade base plus water to match the recipe’s ratio.
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Can I double the recipe to serve a crowd?
Definitely! Just use a larger container for freezing (like a big roasting pan), and make sure to scrape and stir just as often for best slushie texture.
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Why do you need to scrape the mixture every hour?
Scraping every hour breaks up the ice crystals as they form, resulting in that perfect scoopable, fluffy consistency instead of a solid block of ice. It’s the secret to any truly great Strawberry Lemonade Slushie!
Final Thoughts
I hope you find as much joy in this Strawberry Lemonade Slushie as I do—each glass is a little celebration of sunshine and strawberries! It’s easy, totally customizable, and sure to become your go-to for cooling off on those warm days. Cheers to happy, refreshing moments!
Print
Strawberry Lemonade Slushie Recipe
- Prep Time: 8 mins
- Cook Time: 0 mins
- Total Time: 240 mins
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cool off with this refreshing Strawberry Lemonade Slushie recipe that combines the sweet taste of strawberries with zesty lemonade, creating a delightful frozen treat perfect for hot summer days.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 12 oz Strawberries, washed and hulled
- 1 cup Country Time Lemonade Mix
- 5 cups Water
- Sprite or Ginger-ale
Instructions
- Puree Strawberries: Using a blender or food processor, puree the strawberries.
- Combine Ingredients: Pour the pureed strawberries into a large bowl. Add the lemonade mix and water, stirring until the mix is dissolved.
- Freeze Mixture: Pour the mixture into a 9×13 dish and place it in the freezer. Set a timer for 1 hour.
- Scrape and Stir: After 1 hour, scrape the mixture with a fork, breaking up ice crystals that have formed. Repeat this every hour for 4 hours.
- Serve: Once the mixture resembles shaved ice, scoop about 1 cup into a cup and top it up with Sprite or Ginger-ale. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Can be made up to 2 weeks in advance.
- Store the slushie in an airtight container in the freezer.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 10mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
