This weekend will likely be extremely unpleasant for everyone in the United Kingdom. The heat will be intense and unrelenting, and we will all be looking for ways to cool off. Beverages at room temperature are no longer acceptable. We need to get serious, which necessitates serving frozen food. However, store-bought slushies are frequently fluorescent, chemical-laden, and extremely unpalatable. Let’s instead create our own. Below is a list of ten sophisticated, non-alcoholic frozen drinks to help you get through the next few days. We pray that God will have mercy on our souls.
Strawberry cocktail
This newspaper asked six food writers about their favorite refreshing beverages four years ago. For this list, I will focus on Hugh Fearnley-strawberry Whittingstall’s snifter, though they are all worth a try. It can be prepared in seconds: Juice three oranges and one-and-a-half lemons, then combine with three handfuls of strawberries and as much ice as possible. The final beverage is not only delicious but also visually appealing. Imagine viewing this in a jug with beads of moisture. Why couldn’t you?
Citrus slushy
Many slushy recipes need you to prepare the drink’s base before combining it with ice. In contrast, Rachel Gurjar’s citrus slushy utilizes components in a slightly inventive manner. Oranges and lemons are peeled and chopped into rounds before being frozen. This is what is combined. Despite the need for a few ice cubes, the final beverage, which is sweetened with maple syrup but complex with salt and cayenne pepper, is the polar opposite of a Tango Ice Blast.
Frozen virgin jalapeño margarita
While we’re discussing difficult beverages, let’s get the frozen virgin jalapeno margarita from Savor the Flavour. Without tequila, this drink is lime-heavy, using entire limes, lime juice, and limeade; however, the jalapeno peppers that are sliced and swirled in at the very end are the highlight. On the hottest weekend of the year, should you consume chili peppers? Most likely not? Will you? Hey, that’s your call. I’m not your dad.
Frozen Virgin Mary
Alternatively, if you want to try something both hot and chilly, Good Housekeeping’s frozen virgin mary may be the drink for you. Serve ice cubes blended with vegetable juice (traditionally tomato), horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and hot sauce. Honestly, I’m too afraid to try this, but surely one of you is courageous enough to do it.
Watermelon slushy with fizz
So far, all of these beverages have required additional sugar. If you’d rather avoid that, check out Fit As a Mama Bear’s recipe for watermelon slushies with carbonation. This cannot be any simpler. Cut watermelon into chunks of your choosing, remove the stems from a few strawberries and combine with ice before topping with carbonated water. No sugar. No syrup. Easy.
Alcohol-free dirty monkey
So far, all of these beverages have been fruit-based. If you’re wanting dairy, here’s a recipe for a non-alcoholic filthy monkey from Somewhat Simple. Ice combined with banana, milk, and chocolate syrup, topped with whipped cream. You have a much stronger constitution than I do during a heat wave.
Virgin Miami vice
If that is not enough for you, try The Spruce Eats’ virgin Miami Vice drink. In addition to milk, this contains coconut cream, pineapple juice, and strawberry puree. The fruit makes this drink significantly more refreshing than its other ingredients would suggest. In addition, and I am fully aware that this will turn off many of you, the strawberry puree is poured on top at the end, giving the drink a highly Instagrammable two-tone appearance. Sorry.
Virgin mudslide
Let’s drive this idea to its logical conclusion with CKKitchen’s virgin mudslide while we’re here. Consider cream, cherries, chocolate syrup, and chocolate shavings, with ice cream serving as the frozen component. Drink it or eat it with a straw; it makes no difference. Whatever will get you through the weekend.
Blackberry frozen smoothie
Because I am a purist, allow me to remind you that the original frozen beverage was a smoothie. Together with stem ginger and pomegranate juice, fill a pail with water from the outside. If nothing else, it will make for a refreshing breakfast when you wake up after yet another night of sweltering insomnia.
Instant snow cone
Allow me to introduce you to the slushie that requires the least amount of work. It may not exactly qualify as a recipe; in reality, it is more of a technique; yet, here we are. Lifehacker published an article nine years ago saying that you can make a perfectly acceptable slushy by obtaining a bottle of any carbonated beverage, vigorously shaking it, and then placing it in the freezer. When it’s nearly frozen (timing is crucial), whip it out and dump it; the beverage will transform into slush before your eyes.
