5 Frozen Cocktails to Beat the Heat [COCKTAIL TIME]

We are counting the days until it’s officially summer and frozen cocktails are on the horizon! Keeping that in mind, we are sharing several varieties that are perfect for at-home entertaining along with tips and tricks for the best results.

Below are recipes for five frozen libations including Jason Hedges’ perfectly caffeinated and delicious Frozen Espresso Martini and Jennifer Jackson’s fruity Frosé Y’all Day, both ideal for boozy brunches on your bestie’s porch this summer. As well as Christian Orlando’s refreshing I Do, Do Yuzu and Pam Wiznitzer’s take on a Singapore Sling, the Empire State Sling, which are both great additions to your next BBQ or golden hour hang. Lastly, Ketel One’s Poptails are easy to prepare and perfect to have on hand all summer long for picnics, beach getaways, and everything in between.

Frozen Espresso Martini

Courtesy of Jason Hedges, Author of The Seasonal Cocktail, Beverage Director at Laurent Tourondel Hospitality and Co-Founder of Bar-IQ.Com

Image courtesy of LT Hospitality

Ingredients:

2 oz Dark Rum

1 oz Kahlua

1 oz Fresh Espresso

1 oz Simple Syrup

1 oz Heavy Cream

1 cup Crushed Ice

Fresh whipped cream and cocoa nibs for garnish

Method:

1. Brew a fresh espresso shot and let it cool.

2. In a blender, add the rum, Kahlua, cooled espresso, simple syrup, heavy cream, and crushed ice.

3. Blend the ingredients until smooth and creamy.

4. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness or coffee flavor if needed.

5. Pour the mixture into chilled cocktail glasses.

6. Top with fresh whipped cream and cocoa nibs for garnish.

Note: If you prefer a stronger coffee flavor, you can add more espresso or reduce the amount of simple syrup.

Tips for making the best-frozen cocktails at home from Jason Hedges: “Start with the right equipment, a good blender is essential for making a perfectly blended frozen cocktail. Then I recommend using crushed ice instead of ice cubes for a smoother consistency and be sure you don’t overcrowd the blender. Instead, blend in batches if necessary to ensure all ingredients blend evenly.”

Frosé Y’all Day

Courtesy of Jennifer Jackson, Beverage Manager at Thompson Hospitality Group

Image courtesy of Thompson Hospitality Group

Ingredients:

Servings: Two

.75 cup rosé

4 cups ice

.25 cup simple syrup

Method:

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour into a glass of your choice and serve with a straw.

Tips for making the best-frozen cocktail at home from Jennifer Jackson: “Be sure to experiment with flavors. Try different combinations of fruits, juices, and spirits to create unique and delicious frozen cocktails, and do not forget to garnish your drink! Add a garnish like a slice of fruit or a sprig of mint to make your drink look more appealing. Also, try not to over-blend because that will result in a watery cocktail instead of a smooth and creamy slush.“

I Do, Do Yuzu

Recipe Courtesy of Christian Orlando at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer

Image courtesy of Black Tap

Ingredients:

2 oz Vodka

2 oz Lychee Syrup

1 oz Yuzu Juice

.5 oz Lemon Juice

.5 oz Simple Syrup

.5 cup of Ice

Method:

Add all ingredients to the blender.
Blend until smooth and pour into chilled glass. Garnish with lychee on a skewer and a mint sprig.

Tips for making the best-frozen cocktail at home from Christian Orlando: “The key to a good slushie is understanding the sugar levels. You may have to add more sugar to the mix to create a perfect consistency, yet you don’t want it to overpower the drink with sweetness. I recommend using brighter flavors, fresh citrus juice, and a good brand of alcohol to give the cocktail a cleaner and more elevated flavor. This will result in the best product possible!”