Slushies are a refreshing way to battle the summer heat, and this recipe uses only 3 ingredients plus water and ice. Only 2 ingredients if you choose not to make a float. These slushie floats are so easy to make, your kids can do it!
Why this recipe works
Each slushie costs less than 60 cents to make. If you head to 7-11 for a Slurpee, or Dairy Queen for an Arctic Rush, you’ll pay a lot more than that!
These drinks are a family favorite. Even as the kids got older, I can’t remember a summer without making these slushies. It all started when my daughter was 4-years old and would beg for Slurpees. So we started making our own homemade slushies and slushie floats.
Ingredients you will need
We often use the unsweetened packets of Kool-Aid, but you can use any brand you like.
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
How to Make Homemade Slushie Floats
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. Please scroll down to simply print out the recipe!
Make sure you have a blender that is capable of crushing ice.
- In a blender, combine powdered drink mix, water, sugar and ice.
- Blend until you have a slush type consistency.
- Pour into two large glasses or four small glasses and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream. You can also add some cute paper straws!
Expert Tips & FAQs
There are three ways to enjoy these homemade slushies.
- Just the slush – follow instructions above but leave out the ice cream. This is similar to a Slurpee or a DQ Arctic Rush (anyone remember the Mr. Misty??)
- Slushie Float – Follow the instructions. Adding the ice cream makes it a float! This is similar to the DQ Arctic Rush Float.
- Blended Slushie Float – After adding the ice cream, blend the slushie again. This gives your slushie a creamier texture, also similar to a blended DQ Arctic Rush Float.
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- Just the slush
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- Slushie float
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- Blended slushie float
As you can see above, you can also layer the different flavors for a fun unicorn look! We love making our own slushies during the summer. Such a great way to cool off. Hope you enjoy it!
More Fun Summer Ideas
- Homemade Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
- Cherry Peach Slushie
- Strawberry Banana Fizzy Float
- Pina Colada Recipe
- Easy Strawberry Lemonade
- Patriotic Vodka Lemonade Slushie
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Homemade Slushie Floats (Slurpees)
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 Rate ItIngredients
- 0.13 ounce package of unsweetened powdered drink mix any flavor
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup sugar can add up to an additional 1/4 cup to taste
- 4 cups ice
- 2 scoops vanilla ice cream
Things You'll Need
Before You Begin
- Just the slush - follow instructions above but leave out the ice cream. This is similar to a Slurpee or a DQ Arctic Rush (anyone remember the Mr. Misty??)
- Slushie Float - Follow the instructions. Adding the ice cream makes it a float! This is similar to the DQ Arctic Rush Float.
- Blended Slushie Float - After adding the ice cream, blend the slushie again. This gives your slushie a creamier texture, also similar to a blended DQ Arctic Rush Float.
Instructions
- In a blender, combine drink powder, water, sugar, and ice. Blend.
- Pour into two large glasses or four small glasses and add a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition
This post originally appeared here on July 1, 2009 and has since been updated with new photos and expert tips.
Amanda Davis
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Sharon says
So glad I found your blog. I have been searching for refreshing summer drinks, so I can't wait to try this and your Raspberry Lemonade.
Sarah says
Looks tasty! Excellent photos!
elzlop8 says
We made them again yesterday with a different flavor, I think black cherry is a winner in our house! Thank you for sharing these awesome recipes.
Amanda says
Oops! Sorry TeaLady, didn't intentionally not acknowledge you :-/ I was going off my email notifications and then saw your name there after I posted.
Amanda says
finsmom – Hope you try them and your DD likes them!
Tami – Thanks! Ever tried them with Alexis and Andy?
Marie – I love root beer floats too, yum :)
Judy – they sounds great, thanks!
Katrina – let me know if your kids like them :)
Erin – hope you like them, no problem on not participating, I know how hectic things can get :)
SugarB – yep that's me, I do Thrifty Thursdays! Would love to have you participate ;)
navita – nice to see you stranger!
Tiffiny – Oh yes, blended they are awesome! My husband likes them better with big blobs of ice cream that he can pick up with the end of his straw – hee hee! So glad you guys enjoyed them!
Ingrid – Hi! Yes, you can certainly use the logo and post anytime :)
Kevin – nice to see you, thanks for stopping by :)
Maria -thanks for participating!
elzlop8 – So glad you liked them! ;) Thanks for letting me know, i always wonder if anyone tries things I post. It's really nice to hear when they do!
elzlop8 says
i finally had a chance to make these today! YUMM
Maria says
Thanks for letting me add my link:) Great post!
TeaLady says
Great idea. Looks very refreshing.
Tiffiny Felix says
I wanted to tell you I made these for my family tonight and we *loved* them! We blended them with vanilla ice cream and they were *awesome*! I'm going to tell all my friends–thanks a million! :)
Kevin says
That look so cool refreshing and good!
Ingrid says
Happy 4th, Amanda!
Btw, for your cooking with Alicia and Annie I can post my (their) recipe anytime, right? Just link back to the site? Also, I'm assuming its okay to use the logo.
~ingrid
Tiffiny Felix says
OMG! My kids (and my husband and I) are going to love these! We love Slurpee's, but this is such an easy and cheaper way to make them. Thanks so much! Of course, we'll have to add the ice cream :)
Navita (Gupta) Hakim says
Thrift with taste….loved this recipe Amanda.
SUGAR B says
How cute is this entry! I didn't know you did Thrifty Thursdays! Too cool!
That slushie float is calling my name! ;)
Erin @ The Sweet Life says
Those look so good! David and I have been on a smoothie kick most of the spring, and we need a little change…your slushies just might do the trick!
Sorry I didn't participate in Thrifty Thursday this week…work has been crazy! I hope to be back next week.
Katrina says
Those slushies look great. While I prefer a yummy, gooey chocolaty kind of ice cream, my kids would rather have this anyway. I'll have to surprise them with this one!
Judy says
Hey, Amanda,I've posted about little peach pies on my blog. Boy, were they delicious.
Marie says
Ohh, that looks really cool and refreshing! I love rootbeer floats, myself. I have to have at least one every summer!
Tami says
Your drink looks SOOOO GOOD and at quite a savings!
Excellent thrifty recipe!
finsmom says
My daughter would go crazy for this!!!