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We don't care Whether this is the so-called “Sleuth Summer” or even the “Midwest Princess Summer,” because in our hearts we know the truth – it's the Summer of the Slushies.
We’re not talking about the 7/11 kind, the ICEE kind, or the classic adult-oriented “Frozen Concoction Maker” from Margaritaville. Ninja recently released its Ninja Slushi, a simple countertop drink maker that we’ve been seeing all over TikTok feeds lately, with everyone whipping up chilled frozen cocktails faster than you can say “salted rim, please.” Unfortunately for most of us, the Slushi is out of stock. Three times Since it first launched in July, it’s been out of stock, to the point where it now has a waiting list of more than 20,000 people. Ninja says it’s outsold its previous favorite, the Ninja Creami ice cream machine, 14 times, so it’s clear people don’t know much about it. thirsty.
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But listen, there’s a reason we love the iconic Key West Margaritaville drink machine (besides our penchant for Yacht Rock and giant frozen cocktails) — so how did the Ninja Slushi manage to capture the hearts of drink lovers and Parrotheads everywhere? It’s all about its “RapidChill” technology, which promises to turn (almost) any liquid you want into drinkable ice in under 15 minutes — no ice required. That’s a huge deal since similar machines require massive ice tanks, but the Slushi also has the added benefit of having more exciting settings than a regular blender, too: ice, liqueur ice (i.e. frozen cocktails), frappes, milkshakes, and frozen juice. If you want to whip up a big batch for a party, the Ninja Slushi can also keep drinks cold for up to twelve hours.
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Bottom line? It’s easy to use, quick to use — and it sells out all the time. As of now, the Ninja SLUSHi has another waiting list on NinjaKitchen.com, but the device will eventually be available for purchase at major retailers like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Best Buy, and Kohl’s.
In the meantime, if you can’t wait to enjoy your frozen drink, we’ve found the best Ninja Slushi alternatives online that will do the trick. From $20 frozen margaritas to $1 frozen Coca-Colas, while it may not be as fun as sipping on your own frozen drink, some of the best blenders and frozen drink makers can crush ice, blend fruit, and make some delicious chilled drinks, too.
Amazon
Best overall
Ninja Cream Deluxe
The ice comes from the house, because you might be surprised to find that Ninja’s Creami Deluxe can actually make three of the Slushie machine’s five settings—Slushies (of course), frozen drinks, and Creamicinos (their version of a Frappucino). We used the recipe book that came with the machine to make some delicious frozen margs and iced coffee, along with all the other dessert settings. What it makes up for in versatility and affordability (less than a Slushie machine!), it lacks in spontaneity—you’ll have to make your drink base 24 hours in advance.
Best for frozen cocktails
Margaritaville Key West Frozen Drink Maker
This Margaritaville frozen drink maker was worth every penny when it came to making large batches of party cocktails (it was used a lot to make frozen banana daiquiris at this year’s Fourth of July barbecue), and it includes a 36-ounce pitcher that you can use to pour frozen drinks directly into glasses. The extra-large ice reservoir also holds up to two and a half pitchers of frozen drinks, so you don’t have to constantly refill with a large bag of ice.
best blender
Vitamix E310 Explore Blender
With a large pitcher capacity and the ability to crush ice and any hard pieces of ingredients, the Vitamix E310 is another standout choice for the best blender for frozen drinks. Its powerful motor and variable speed control (including a handy “pulse” feature) mean it can handle even the thickest mixtures – just add your frozen ingredients to your machine and you’ll be enjoying iced drinks, fruit sorbets and more in seconds. Performance-wise, this blender is definitely a worthwhile investment if you’re looking for more than just frozen drinks on a hot summer day.
Best individual service
Classic Kitchen Single Serve Frozen Ice Beverage Maker
The most cost-effective option (especially if you’re making a frozen treat for just one person), at under $25, this classic slushie maker is a favorite. Similar to the slush maker, you’ll need to freeze this slushie maker beforehand, but once you add your favorite drink to the chilled cup, all you have to do is stir the drink to your desired consistency. It works great for milkshakes, sorbets, and even making alcoholic drinks.
