Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (2024)

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This Brandy Slush recipe combines tea, orange juice, lemonade, and brandy. A classic Wisconsin co*cktail perfect for any holiday or celebration!

Living in Wisconsin, I can tell you, brandy slush is a regular guest during the holiday season. From Thanksgiving through Christmas and even Easter, this drink always makes an appearance. It’s a classic midwestern co*cktail that’s just part of the tradition here.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (1)

Brandy Slush is this frozen boozy co*cktail whipped up in an ice cream pail. Yep, you heard that right—an ice cream pail! It’s just the Wisconsin way to make this slush recipe. The pail’s size fits everything perfectly and even comes with a handle for easy carrying. Talk about top-notch recycling!

Sipping on a brandy slush floods my mind with memories. I mean, I can’t think of a Christmas Eve as an adult without a serving of slush. Honestly, it’s one of my go-to co*cktails. Can’t wait for you to give this brandy slush recipe a whirl at your next special get-together!

Ingredients

  • 9cupswater, divided
  • 2cupssugar
  • 6teabags
  • 12ounceslemonade concentrate
  • 12ouncesorange juice concentrate
  • 2cupsbrandy
Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (2)

Table of Contents

How To Make Our Brandy Slush Recipe

Step 1: Make the tea.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Place 6 teabags in the water and steep for 3-5 minutes. Allow to cool.

You can use green or black tea for brandy slush. You could even do 3 tea bags of green and 3 tea bags of black tea.

Step 2: Make simple syrup.

Add sugar and 7 cups of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil and let boil for 1 minute. Allow the simple syrup to cool.

PRO TIP: Use this simple syrup recipe any time you are making a co*cktail or mocktail.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (3)

Step 3: Combine the ingredients.

In a clean, empty ice cream pail, add:

  • simple syrup
  • tea
  • lemonade concentrate
  • orange juice concentrate
  • brandy

Stir and then cover with the ice cream pail lid.

MIX IT UP: I used 2 cups of brandy for this recipe. However, adjust to your tolerance by reducing to 1 cup or increasing to 3-4 cups of brandy.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (4)

Step 4: Freeze.

Allow the brandy slush to freeze for 24-48 hours. Remember that the slush won’t freeze solid due to the alcohol content.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (5)

Step 5: Serve.

To serve, scoop the brandy slush into a glass leaving room to add soda. Top with Sprite, 7-up, or 50/50.

I have even made my Homemade Lemon Lime Soda recipe to add to this slush. It is a great way to cut back on sugar while keeping the flavor of the soda. Plus, my kids enjoy drinking the leftover lemon-lime soda!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Alcohol Content:

Take care with the amount of brandy used. You can adjust the quantity to suit your preference for a stronger or milder alcoholic taste.

Presentation:

Use decorative glasses or cups to serve the slush. Brandy slush is always served with a drink straw.

Labeling and Date:

Label the container with the date of preparation to keep track of its freshness, especially if you plan to store it for an extended period. This will help ensure you’re serving the slush within its optimal timeframe.

Party Preparation:

Consider making a double batch for larger gatherings. This recipe is excellent for parties as it can be prepared well in advance, allowing you more time to focus on other aspects of hosting.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (6)

FAQ

What is the best Brandy to use for Brandy slush?

Feel free to use whatever brand of brandy you’d like. While a good quality brandy is always preferred, this slush has lots of other flavors to blend with that any brandy works just fine.

Can I store brandy slush?

Yes! Brandy slush keeps well in the freezer year-round. Enjoy it around the holidays or during the summer months. It is a great poolside treat! I recommend labeling the ice cream pail if you have kids at home.

What if I don’t have an ice cream pail?

If eating the ice cream from the pail isn’t an option then you can use a freezer-safe container with a lid.

Is Brandy Gluten-free?

Yes, pure, distilled brandy, is considered gluten-free. Brandy is made by distilling wine, grapes, or other fruit. Always watch out for hidden gluten in cognacs that add flavorings or other additives after distillation. There is also a risk for gluten cross-contact in facilities that process products containing wheat, barley, or rye.
Common Brands of Brandy:
Old Admiral
Dreher
Emperador
Paul Masson Grande Amber
Torres
Old Kenigsberg

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (7)

Storage Instructions

After preparing the brandy slush mixture, pour it into a clean, airtight container, ensuring there’s some headspace to allow for expansion as it freezes. Seal the container tightly to prevent freezer odors from affecting the flavor. Label the container with the date of preparation. Place the sealed container in the coldest part of your freezer, preferably in the back where temperatures are more consistent. To maintain the slush’s optimal taste and texture, avoid frequent thawing and refreezing. When serving, scoop the slush into glasses and return the remaining mixture promptly to the freezer for storage.

More Holiday co*cktail Recipes:

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (8)

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Brandy Slush Recipe (Wisconsin Version)

Brandy Slush is a Midwestern holiday staple – made with Brandy, lemonade and orange juice concentrates, tea, simple syrup frozen into an alcoholic slush recipe that gets topped with a touch of soda.

Pin RecipePrint Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 2 days d 20 minutes mins

Servings 20 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 9 cups water, divided
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 6 teabags
  • 12 ounces lemonade concentrate
  • 12 ounces orange juice concentrate
  • 2 cups brandy

Instructions

  • Make the tea. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Place 6 teabag in the water and steep. Allow to cool.

    6 teabags, 9 cups water, divided

  • Make simple syrup. Add sugar to a large pot. Add 7 cups of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Cool.

    2 cups sugar, 9 cups water, divided

  • Combine the ingredients. In a clean, empty ice cream pail, add simple syrup, tea, lemonade concentrate, orange juice concentrate, and brandy. Stir then cover.

    12 ounces lemonade concentrate, 12 ounces orange juice concentrate, 2 cups brandy

  • Freeze. Allow the slush to freeze for 24-48 hours. It won't freeze solid due to the alcohol.

  • Serve. To serve, scoop slush into a glass leaving room to add soda. Top with Sprite, 7-up, or 50/50. Serve with a drink straw.

Video

Notes

Pure, distilled brandy, is considered gluten-free. Always lookout for hidden gluten in cognacs that add flavorings or other additives after distillation. There is also a risk for gluten cross-contact in facilities that process products containing wheat, barley, or rye.

CCK Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

If you enjoyed these recipes make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below!

Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why is my brandy slush not freezing? ›

A high alcohol slush may just thicken a bit…generally the water content in the slush will freeze, but the alcohol won't. If you want to eat it as a slushy, a few hours should do it. Overnight will give a 'harder freeze', but still may not get completely frozen.

How long does it take for a drink to become slushy? ›

You will need to leave it in the freezer for at least 2 hours so that it can freeze properly. You can, however, check your slushie every 30 minutes, and then take it out when it reaches the consistency you like. It might be after 1 hour and 30 minutes, or it might be after 3 hours.

How long does it take slush to freeze? ›

This depends on the temperature of the product you are pouring into the bowl. It's best if the product you are adding is already refrigerated. It also depends on the ambient temperature of the room. Freezing into SLUSH takes about 20 minutes with refrigerated product.

Can alcohol turn into a slush? ›

Yes, freezing alcohol or alcoholic drinks can ruin them.

When frozen, beer, wine, and cider will turn to slush or become grainy. This can ruin the taste and flavor of the alcohol.

How to make a slushie in 5 minutes? ›

- Fill a sandwich bag with your favorite juice or lemonade. I love @nataliesoj (Make sure the bag is completely sealed) - Add your smaller bag of lemonade to your larger bag of ice. - Shake for 5-7 minutes to make slushies! Enjoy!

Why do slushies give you brain freeze? ›

Cause: It's believed to be triggered by the rapid constriction and expansion of blood vessels in the roof of your mouth, when you take a big gulp of icy liquid or a giant bite of a frozen treat on a hot summer day.

How do you make a slush without a machine? ›

Instructions
  1. Mix the ice cubes and salt inside of a large Ziplock bag.
  2. Seal the juice inside of a smaller Ziplock back. ...
  3. Put the juice bag inside of the bag with the ice and salt.
  4. Shake vigorously until the juice has transformed into an icy slush.
  5. Pour the mixture into a glass and enjoy with a straw.
Jun 17, 2021

How do you keep a slushie from melting? ›

When you add salt to the ice cubes you lower the melting point of the ice cubes by several degrees. The ice cubes stay colder, longer – long enough to turn your drink slushie. The secret is the catalyst – the salt.

Why does salt make slushies? ›

When ice is mixed with salt in the gallon sized bag, the salt causes the freezing point of water to decrease, so the ice begins to melt. Energy in the form of heat is used to turn the ice from a solid to a liquid. This makes the melting ice very cold in comparison to the normal temperature of pure ice.

Can you make a slushie with a blender? ›

TIPS FOR MAKING SLUSHIES AT HOME

Use a blender that is strong enough to power through your frozen ingredients and help you create the texture you are looking for. Avoid overfilling the blender. When the blender is too full it can be challenging to fully mix the ingredients and blend them consistently.

Does salt help with slush? ›

That's why many cities spray a salt solution before any ice forms. Salt that's dumped on top of ice relies on the sun or the friction of car tires driving over it to initially melt the ice to a slush that can mix with the salt and then won't refreeze.

Why do slushies not freeze solid? ›

Carbonated slushie machines often freeze to a temperature well below the freezing point of water, but the combination of pressure up to 40 psi (2.8 bar), sugar, the carbon dioxide mixture that freezes −80 °C (−112 °F), and the constant stirring prevent the mass from freezing solid.

Do alcoholic slushies freeze? ›

Your slushies will stay cold but not completely frozen thanks to the alcohol.

Why is my slush machine over freezing? ›

COMMON CAUSES

Incorrect mixture - This is one of the most reported reasons on why the slush machine bowls will over-freeze, and it is caused by using too much syrup and not enough water or too much water and not enough product when measuring out your syrup / powder slush mixture.

What temperature does brandy freeze? ›

But vodka, rum, whiskey, tequila, brandy, gin, and the like have a much higher alcohol content making it much more difficult for them to freeze. The freezing point for pure ethanol is actually -175°F or -115°C.

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