Pin it
This cool Frozen Cherry Coke Slushie turns your favorite soda into a fancy frozen drink that's perfect when it's hot outside. The mix of sour cherries and the well-known cola taste brings back memories while feeling grown-up at the same time. You can easily change it up however you want.
I came up with this drink during an awful heat wave last year. What began as just trying to cool off quickly turned into our family's go-to summer drink, and now everyone asks for it whenever we have backyard get-togethers.
Ingredients
- Coca-Cola: Split into parts for freezing and mixing to get that perfect slushy feel
- Fresh lime juice: Cuts through the sweetness and makes everything taste better
- Bourbon, dark rum or Campari (optional): Turns this into a grown-up drink if you want
- Frozen pitted cherries: Give you real fruit flavor and pretty color without making it watery
- Lime wheels: Make it look fancy and smell amazing when you serve it
- Maraschino cherries (optional): Remind you of the old-school cherry cokes we all love
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Freeze the Cola Base:
- Put exactly 1½ cups of cold Coca-Cola in ice cube trays, leaving a bit of space at the top since it'll expand. Put the trays flat in your freezer and don't move them for 3 to 4 hours until they're totally frozen. These cubes are what makes the slushie texture so good.
- Prepare the Blender:
- Put everything in your blender in this order: first the lime juice, then any alcohol if you're using it, and then the rest of the cold Coca-Cola. Doing it this way keeps the lime juice from sitting right on the blender blades and helps everything mix better.
- Add Frozen Components:
- Throw in the frozen Coca-Cola cubes and frozen cherries. Using both these frozen things together makes the slushie just right without needing ice that would just water it down.
- Blend to Perfection:
- Mix on high for 1 to 2 minutes, stopping now and then to push down what's stuck to the sides. Keep going until everything's smooth and the mix is thick enough to hold its shape when you pour it.
- Serve with Style:
- Pour your slushie into cold glasses so it stays chilly longer. Put a fresh lime wheel on the edge of each glass and add a maraschino cherry to make it look like a classic cherry coke.
Pin it
The frozen cherries really make all the difference here. I tried it once with fresh cherries and ice, but it tasted weak and bland. Frozen cherries pack more flavor and their natural iciness helps create that perfect slushie texture without losing any taste.
Make-Ahead Tips
You can make this slushie up to 4 hours before serving and keep it in the freezer. If it gets too hard, just let it sit out for 5-10 minutes before serving, or quickly blend it again with a splash more Coca-Cola to fix the texture. The flavors actually get better when the mix sits for a while, so it's great to make before your guests arrive.
Flavor Variations
Cherries work best for the classic version, but you can try other frozen fruits too. Blackberries give it a richer, more interesting flavor, while strawberries make it brighter and more summery. You can also throw in some fresh herbs like basil or mint when blending. My favorite twist is adding some frozen peaches along with the cherries for a drink that feels like something from the South.
Serving Suggestions
These slushies go great with backyard barbecue food, especially with grilled burgers or spicy dishes where the cold sweetness balances things out. For a dessert version, serve in smaller glasses with some chocolate syrup drizzled on top and a bit of whipped cream. During winter holidays, I've served them with cinnamon sticks to stir, which goes really well with the cherry flavor.
Pin it
Great for those hot summer days, this slushie combines childhood memories with grown-up taste—it's really the best refreshing treat you can make!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Is it possible to skip the alcohol?
Absolutely! Leave out the bourbon, rum, or Campari, and you’ll still get a fantastic family-friendly drink with just the fresh cherry cola mix.
- → What’s the best way to freeze cola?
Pour cola straight into an ice cube tray and leave it in the freezer for 3-4 hours. Once frozen solid, they blend perfectly for the slush texture.
- → Can fresh cherries work here?
Sure! But frozen cherries add the frosty vibe. If you’re using fresh, toss in some extra ice cubes to chill things down.
- → What are some garnish ideas?
Try using slices of lime or maraschino cherries—they not only look great but add a little extra pop of flavor too.
- → Want to make it sweeter?
If you like it extra sweet, try mixing in simple syrup or even using cherry-flavored soda instead of regular cola.