Strawberry lime slush is the ultimate refreshing drink for warm days. This slushy treat features blended strawberries mixed with lime juice, creating a vibrant taste that’s both sweet and tangy.
This recipe addresses issues of icy texture and flavor that can plague homemade slush, making sure it’s refreshing and enjoyable for all.
I’ve often faced the dilemma of wanting a cold drink without heavy sweetness or artificial flavors. It’s challenging to find something that everyone enjoys during hot summer nights or casual gatherings. Trust me, this one hits the sweet spot for flavor without overwhelming the palate.
This recipe stands out because it’s super easy to prepare and keeps well in the freezer. With just 20 minutes of prep and a freezing time of about 12 hours, you’ll have a drink that brings smiles all around. The result is a smooth, icy texture that makes it a hit at parties or family dinners.
If you love easy-to-make drinks that impress without much effort, check out my Strawberry Acai Lemonade for another refreshing option.
Table of contents
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Refreshing and Vibrant Flavor , The combination of strawberries and lime delivers a bright, zesty taste that’s both refreshing and invigorating, perfect for those hot days or any festive occasion.
- Simple and Quick Preparation , With just 20 minutes of hands-on time, you can whip up this slush cocktail easily. The freezing time may vary, but it’s well worth the wait for that frosty treat.
- Make-Ahead Convenience , This slush can be prepared in advance, allowing you to enjoy its coolness at summer parties without the stress of last-minute preparations on the day of your event.
- Customizable Ingredients , You can tweak the recipe by testing different juices or spirits, so feel free to experiment with your favorite flavor combinations, making it as unique as you want!
Frozen Strawberry Lime Slush Cocktail Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cool Time: 12 hours
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 12 hours 30 minutes
- Yield: 35 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Simmering, Freezing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A refreshing Strawberry Ginger Limeade Slush with an ideal balance of sweetness, tartness, and icy texture, perfect for warm days.
Ingredients
- 8 cups (about 1.3 lbs / 1135g) chopped frozen strawberries, bright red and fully ripe
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (480ml) water
- 1 cup (240ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 cups (720ml) white cranberry juice or white grape juice
- 26 ounces (750ml) gin
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger (optional, for extra kick)
- 2 ounces (60ml) club soda per serving (for topping)
Instructions
- Step 1: Place chopped frozen strawberries, sugar, and water in a medium saucepan. Simmer gently over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture becomes aromatic. This extracts natural sweetness and flavor from the strawberries.
- Step 2: Remove saucepan from heat and allow the mixture to cool to near room temperature. For quicker cooling, refrigerate the mixture for approximately 20 minutes. A well-cooled base prevents flavor loss and ensures better slush consistency.
- Step 3: Using a fine mesh strainer, separate the strawberry solids from the syrup, collecting both parts. This step removes chunky bits, delivering a silky texture in the final slush.
- Step 4: Puree the strained strawberries in a blender until smooth. Combine this strawberry puree with the cooled syrup in a plastic container, mixing thoroughly. Chill the container briefly if needed to keep ingredients cold before adding remaining liquids.
- Step 5: Stir in the freshly squeezed lime juice, white cranberry juice (or white grape juice), gin, and ginger if using. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
- Step 6: Cover the container and place it in the freezer. After about 6 hours, check for ice sheets forming on top. Use an immersion blender or whisk to break down these ice crystals. This process creates the desired smooth, slushy texture instead of hard ice chunks.
- Step 7: Repeat the blending step at least once more during the freezing process to ensure the slush remains soft and easy to scoop.
- Step 8: When ready to serve, stir the slush well. Spoon approximately 4 ounces (120ml) of slush into an 8-ounce (240ml) chilled glass. Top with 2 ounces (60ml) of club soda for a refreshing fizz. Garnish immediately with fresh lime wedges or berries if desired.
Notes
- Refrigeration: Store leftover slush in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Stir well before serving to redistribute ingredients evenly.
- Freezing: Freeze in a freezer-safe container or sealed freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving and stir to restore texture. Room temperature storage is not recommended due to perishable ingredients.
- To prevent freezer burn and maintain texture, cover containers tightly and minimize air exposure during freezing.
- If your slush turns too icy, re-blend after 6 hours of freezing and refreeze to smooth consistency.
- To address separation, stir well before serving to blend flavors and texture again.
- Adjust sweetness by blending in 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice if the slush tastes too sweet without changing texture.
- Adding 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger when simmering enhances flavor complexity and adds a mild spicy note.
- This recipe is not intended to be reheated. Maintain chilled or frozen state for optimal texture and taste.
- Serve in chilled glasses topped with club soda to add effervescence.
- Pair with fresh watermelon slices or a summery fruit platter to complement the bright flavors.
- Use as a base for mocktails or create frozen ice pops by pouring mixture into molds before freezing.
- For a slushy float, layer the slush with coconut cream or vanilla yogurt.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves or lime wedges and drizzle agave syrup or sparkling water for extra refreshment.
- Substitute gin with blanco tequila for a smoother flavor that balances lime tartness.
- Swap white cranberry juice for white grape juice for a slightly different sweetness profile.
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit gin and increase club soda amount or add sparkling water.
- Incorporate 1 teaspoon fresh ginger for spiced notes if preferred.
- Use fully ripe, bright red frozen strawberries to ensure natural sweetness and vibrant color. Avoid frozen berries with added sugar or preservatives.
- Freshly squeeze lime juice for best zing and freshness; bottled lime juice tends to be flat.
- Prepare simple syrup by heating equal parts sugar and water until dissolved for a fresher sweetener alternative if preferred.
- Select a quality gin or tequila to harmonize with the citrus and strawberry flavors.
- Opt for club soda that is low in salt to keep the drink tasting bright and bubbly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 ounces
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Ingredient Notes
- Frozen strawberries: Look for bright red, fully ripe strawberries. They’ll provide a natural sweetness and vibrant color that makes the cocktail inviting.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is key for that zesty kick. Bottled versions can taste flat, so squeeze your own limes right before using.
- Simple syrup: Use homemade simple syrup for a fresher flavor. Just combine equal parts sugar and water and heat until dissolved. It’s less processed than store-bought options.
- Tequila: Opt for a good quality blanco tequila for a smooth flavor that blends well. It’s important for balancing the tartness of the lime.
- Club soda: This adds a refreshing fizz to the cocktail. Choose a good brand that’s not too salty to keep the taste bright and bubbly.
- Frozen strawberries: Look for bright red, fully ripe strawberries. They’ll provide a natural sweetness and vibrant color that makes the cocktail inviting.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is key for that zesty kick. Bottled versions can taste flat, so squeeze your own limes right before using.
- Simple syrup: Use homemade simple syrup for a fresher flavor. Just combine equal parts sugar and water and heat until dissolved. It’s less processed than store-bought options.
- Tequila: Opt for a good quality blanco tequila for a smooth flavor that blends well. It’s important for balancing the tartness of the lime.
- Club soda: This adds a refreshing fizz to the cocktail. Choose a good brand that’s not too salty to keep the taste bright and bubbly.
Recipe Tips
- If your slush is too icy, blend it again 6 hours into freezing to achieve a smoother consistency before refreezing.
- When the mixture separates after freezing, stir it well before serving to redistribute the flavors and achieve the right texture.
- If your slush is too sweet, add 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice when blending to adjust the flavor without affecting texture.
- For an extra kick, consider adding 1 teaspoon of ginger when simmering the strawberry mixture to enhance the slush’s flavor profile.
- If you’re short on time, cool the syrup quickly by placing it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before combining with the strawberries.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the strawberry lime slush in chilled glasses, topped with club soda for a refreshing twist. Pair with watermelon slices or a fruit platter for a bright summertime experience.
Add to a pitcher of family-friendly mocktails or serve as a base for ice pops. Use to create a slushy float by layering with coconut cream or vanilla yogurt.
Top with fresh mint leaves or lime wedges for a pop of color. Drizzle with agave syrup or a splash of sparkling water for extra refreshment.
Recipe variations
- You can use fresh strawberries blended with ice instead of frozen, adding 8 cups to maintain the same volume and flavor concentration in the slush.
- Add 2 cups of sugar and 1 cup lime juice to the strawberry syrup for a sweet and tart balance, essential to the slush’s refreshing taste.
- Either white cranberry juice or white grape juice can be used as the liquid base, with 3 cups added to provide natural sweetness and texture.
- If making a larger batch, double the ingredients, such as 16 cups strawberries and 4 cups white grape juice, stirring well before freezing for smoother consistency.
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How to Store?
To keep your frozen strawberry lime slush cocktail fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Not recommended since this cocktail contains ingredients that will spoil quickly without refrigeration.
Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 2 days. Stir well before serving to redistribute ingredients evenly.
Freezing: Place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag, freeze up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator and stir before serving to restore texture.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
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