Mixed Berry Rum Slushies

July 4th is tomorrow, people (as if you didn’t know!) What are your plans? I feel like it’s Christmas around here – every time I talk to someone about what they’ll be up to, their eyes light up. Fireworks, grilling, parades, family, friends, boating, bocce, beaching, sparklers – just talking about it is getting me pumped up!

This week I’ve shared an addicting appetizer recipe for your 4th of July get together, Buffalo Ranch Deviled Eggs, and a decadent-tasting, Cajun-inspired grilled bite, Spicy Shrimp and Sausage Skewers, but you’ve got to have something to wash it down with, don’t ya? Mixed Berry Rum Slushies are killllling it in the fun, fruity, and giggly department!

An ice cold beer is always easy to grab out of the cooler on a hot 4th of July afternoon, and a pitcher of margaritas is always a treat, but if you really want to get festive this year, blend a batch of fruity Mixed Berry Rum Slushies to share with your friends. They’re almost as fun to say as they are to drink and how adorable are they with 4th of July striped straws (courtesy of Target’s (truly) $1 bin!) popped on top?

This four ingredient icy cocktail combines frozen mixed berries, fresh lime juice, and microwave simple syrup with white rum which are blended with ice until frosty. Think Tropical Sno (Tiger’s Blood, anyone?) spiked with rum.

Iiii know!

The trick to making a slushie vs a smoothie is to blend the frozen berries with the rum, simple syrup, and lime juice until the seeds have been blitzed to smithereens, and then blend with ice. That way you get a slushy, crunchy texture from the ice and no seeds stuck in your teeth. Gosh, how embarrassing!

It’s supposed to be hot here on the 4th of July and these refreshing, icy slushies are going to be enjoyed well into the evening. If you don’t drink alcohol, or want to make something the kids can drink too, swap the simple syrup and rum with orange juice and you’ll be set.

OH – and if you have leftover slushies (I don’t know why you would but I made 4 batches of these slushies while recipe testing so I did!) they make for awesome adults-only popsicles! Just pour the slush into popsicle molds and then freeze. I don’t know about you but sometimes I just want one cocktail on the patio at night, vs opening a whole bottle of wine or something, so these rum pop are perfect to relax and cool down with (just make sure the kids know they are o-f-f limits – hello basement freezer!)

Start by making the microwave simple syrup. Called simple because it truly is. Just add 1/2 cup each water and sugar into a jar or microwave-safe measuring cup then microwave for two minutes and then chill. That’s it! You can do this two or even three days ahead of time.

Once the simple syrup is chilled, add 4-5 Tablespoons (depending on how sweet you want your slushies to be,) to a blender with 1/2 cup white rum, 2 cups mixed frozen berries, and 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice then blend until very smooth. I have the Blendtec FourSide Jar blender, by the way. Best blender ever!

Once the seeds from the berries are smooth, add 1-1/2 cups ice then blend just until the ice is crushed to keep the crunchy slushie consistency.

Pour into glasses then sip away!

Mixed Berry Rum Slushies

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dairy freegluten freeveganvegetarian5 minute meal

Description

Mixed Berry Rum Slushies are perfectly sweet, tart, and refreshing. Cool down with a frosty glass on a hot night!

Ingredients

serves 3

• 2 cups mixed frozen berries
• 1/2 cup white rum
• 4-5 Tablespoons simple syrup (depending on how sweet you want it)
• 2 Tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1-1/2 cups ice
• For the simple syrup:
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup sugar

Directions

1. For the simple syrup: Combine water and sugar in a glass jar or glass measuring cup then microwave for 2 minutes, or until sugar is completely dissolved, then chill (can be done several days ahead of time.)
2. Combine berries, rum, 4-5 Tablespoons simple syrup, and lime juice in a blender then blend until smooth (goal is to break up berry seeds.) Add ice then blend until ice is crushed, not completely smooth, and then serve.

Notes

• Slushies can be blended 1-2 hours ahead of time - store in the refrigerator to maintain texture.

This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.

You can blend these slushies up to 2 hours in advance – just stash the blender in the fridge until go time. I hope you enjoy and have a VERY happy 4th of July!