This easy bourbon slush recipe needs just 5 ingredients and a freezer. Make this frozen party drink ahead, then rake, scoop, and serve!
Why this recipe works
This easy bourbon slush recipe only needs five ingredients, a freezer, and about fifteen minutes of prep to make a grown up scoopable citrus slush. You can even make them into popsicles following the same steps as my boozy ice pops recipe!
There’s a little magic behind frozen alcohol drinks. Alcohol lowers the freezing point, which is why it never fully hardens over in a standard freezer. It’s pretty much foolproof, so long as you use the correct measurements. Plus, you can make it ahead of time for parties and even take it along with you in a cooler if you need to transport it. Mix it, freeze it, and forget it until you’re ready to enjoy!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
BOURBON – Since it gets mixed with tea, juice, and sugar, you don’t need a top-shelf bourbon, but I do prefer to use a medium shelf option. The bourbon does play a part on the texture, since the alcohol is what keeps the slush scoopable instead of frozen into a brick. You can easily swap with rum, whiskey, or blackberry brandy instead!
BLACK TEA – One steeped sachet gives the slush some depth so it doesn’t taste like regular ole juice. Unsweetened is great, since the orange juice and lemonade add sweetness already. You can omit the tea for a more juice-forward slush if preferred.
ORANGE JUICE – Any standard orange juice from the carton work. Don’t worry about using freshly squeezed orange juice here unless you really want to put in the extra work!
LEMONADE – Lemonade brightens everything and balances the bourbon. This bourbon slush would also be tasty with strawberry, peach, or mixed-berry lemonade!
How to Make Easy Bourbon Slush
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Heat water to boiling, then remove from heat and add the sachet of tea. Allow tea to steep for 5 minutes then remove.
- Stir in sugar until mostly dissolved.
- Add orange juice, lemonade, and bourbon, stirring to incorporate everything.
- Pour into a large container or large ziploc bag. Freeze for at least 8 hours, or until slushy.
- To serve, rake slush with a fork and spoon into serving glasses. Serve with a spoon or straw.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Black tea is traditional and gives the slush its depth, but you can leave it out if you’d like. Without tea, the drink is sweeter and more juice-forward, so you may want to cut back slightly on the sugar.
Mid shelf bourbon is ideal here. Bottom shelf bourbon will work in a pinch as long as you enjoy the flavor of it, while top shelf or more expensive bourbons aren’t necessary because it’s being mixed with so many other flavors. I prefer to use mid range, such as Bulleit Bourbon or Old Forester, for example. The flavor of the bourbon you choose is what’s most important, you want to enjoy it after all!
If your slush is solid as a brick, this usually means the measurements of the bourbon are off. The alcohol should keep it from freezing over entirely, and is what makes the slush scoopable. Let it sit on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes, then rake it with a fork to loosen it up.
Sure! Omit the bourbon and add a little extra tea or juice. It will freeze harder without the alcohol, so freeze it in a shallow pan and scrape it more often for the right texture. For another non-alcoholic or kid-friendly slush idea check out my honeydew lemon slush recipe.
Storage and Freezing Information
Store your bourbon slush in a sealed freezer-safe container or freeze it flat in a large ziptop bag. It will keep well in the freezer for several weeks or up to 2 months for the best flavor.
To transfer it to parties, pop it in a cooler with plenty of ice.
Serving Suggestions
Rake the surface of your bourbon slush with a fork to break it up a bit and scoop it straight from the container. Serve it in a pretty stemless wine glass or a rock glass with a spoon or straw. Or, you can freeze the mixture in popsicle sleeves like we do in my boozy ice pops. That way you have cute little individual servings, great for pool parties.
Optionally top each glass with a splash of lemon lime soda or ginger ale for a little added fizz. I like to add a maraschino cherry and an orange wedge as garnish. Bourbon slush is popular in the warmer months alongside grilled main dishes, but honestly, it can be enjoyed year round. Whenever and wherever!
More Party Drinks and Cocktail Recipes
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Easy Bourbon Slush
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- ½ cup water
- 1 sachet black tea unsweetened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups orange juice
- 3 cups lemonade
- 1 cup bourbon
Things You’ll Need
- Air tight container or large ziploc bag
Before You Begin
- Since it gets mixed with tea, juice, and sugar, you don’t need a top-shelf bourbon, but I do prefer to use a medium shelf option. You can easily swap with rum, whiskey, or blackberry brandy instead!
- Any standard orange juice and lemonade from the carton work. Don’t worry about using freshly squeezed orange/lemon juice here unless you really want to put in the extra work.
Instructions
- Heat water to boiling, then remove from heat and add the sachet of tea. Allow tea to steep for 5 minutes then remove.½ cup water, 1 sachet black tea
- Stir in sugar until mostly dissolved.½ cup granulated sugar
- Add orange juice, lemonade, and bourbon, stirring to incorporate everything.2 cups orange juice, 3 cups lemonade, 1 cup bourbon
- Pour into a large container or large ziploc bag. Freeze for at least 8 hours, or until slushy.
- To serve, rake slush with a fork and spoon into serving glasses. Serve with a spoon or straw.
Expert Tips & FAQs
- Store your bourbon slush in a sealed freezer-safe container or freeze it flat in a large ziptop bag. It will keep well in the freezer for several weeks or up to 2 months for the best flavor.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This recipe was originally contributed by Sarah from LiveEatLearn.
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Kim Phillips says
This is a great recipe. I have been making it since the mid 70’s. I make it every summer and keep it in my freezer for unexpected guests. I double this recipe so I always have it on hand.