What the heck is this?
Remember being a kid and getting that perfect slushy from the corner store that made your tongue turn bright red and your parents shake their heads? Yeah, we’re bringing that magic back, but better. These Frozen Cherry Coke Slushies are like summer vacation in a glass – fizzy, fruity, and so ridiculously refreshing you’ll wonder why you ever settled for regular drinks. We’re talking real cherry flavor (not that artificial stuff that tastes like cough syrup), combined with the classic cola taste you love, all blended into slushy perfection. It’s nostalgic meets sophisticated, and honestly? Adults deserve fun drinks too. Plus, you can totally spike these if you’re feeling fancy – but we won’t tell if you don’t.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Instant nostalgia trip – childhood memories in liquid form
- Takes 5 minutes with a blender and some ice
- Customizable sweetness – make it as sugary or mellow as you want
- Perfect for parties – kids and adults both go crazy for these
- No fancy equipment needed – just a decent blender
- Way cheaper than hitting up the drive-thru for slushies
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Basic Slush:
- 2 cups cola (Coke, Pepsi, whatever floats your boat)
- 1 cup frozen cherries (sweet or tart – your call)
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 2-3 tbsp cherry syrup or grenadine
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (trust me on this)
For the Fancy Upgrade:
- Whipped cream for topping
- Fresh cherries with stems
- Maraschino cherries (if you’re feeling retro)
- Extra cherry syrup for drizzling
Adult Version Add-In:
- 2-4 oz cherry rum or vanilla vodka (optional but fun)
Let’s Do This
Step 1: The Base Game
Pour your cola into ice cube trays the night before and freeze. This is the secret to getting that perfect slushy texture without watering it down.
If you forgot to do this (we’ve all been there), regular ice cubes work fine – just use a bit less liquid.
Step 2: Cherry Selection
Frozen cherries are your friend here – they’re already cold and add natural sweetness. If using fresh, pit them first unless you enjoy surprise dental work.
Sweet cherries make it more dessert-like, tart cherries give it that perfect sweet-sour balance.
Step 3: Blend Like You Mean It
Toss everything into your blender: frozen cola cubes (or regular ice), frozen cherries, fresh cola, cherry syrup, and lemon juice.
Blend on high until it reaches that perfect slushy consistency – thick enough to need a spoon-straw, loose enough to actually drink.
Step 4: Taste and Adjust
Too sweet? Add more lemon juice. Not cherry-ey enough? More syrup. Want it stronger? Add that splash of rum.
The beauty is in the tweaking – make it YOUR perfect slushy.
Step 5: Serve Like a Boss
Pour into tall glasses (the presentation matters, people).
Top with whipped cream if you’re feeling extra, and garnish with fresh cherries.
Serve immediately with thick straws or spoon-straws – this isn’t a sipping drink, it’s an experience.
Serving Suggestions
Perfect for pool parties, BBQs, or just Tuesday afternoon when you need something to smile about.
Make a batch for movie night – way better than theater candy.
Set up a slushy bar with different syrups and let people customize their own.
Serve in mason jars for that Instagram-worthy rustic vibe.
Switch It Up
Cherry Vanilla Vibes: Add a splash of vanilla extract and use vanilla cola if you can find it.
Grown-Up Cherry Bomb: Mix in some cherry bourbon for a sophisticated twist.
Tropical Cherry: Add a splash of coconut rum and some pineapple juice.
Chocolate Cherry: Blend in a tablespoon of chocolate syrup for a cherry coke float vibe.
Spicy Cherry: A tiny pinch of cayenne pepper adds an unexpected kick.
Diet-Friendly: Use diet cola and sugar-free cherry syrup – still delicious, fewer calories.
Pro Tips for Slushy Success
Ice Matters: Crushed ice blends easier than cubes, but cubes give better texture. Your call.
Don’t Over-Blend: You want chunks, not smoothie consistency. Pulse if needed.
Serve Fast: These melt quicker than you think, especially on hot days.
Double Recipe: Trust me, you’ll want more than you think. Make extra.
Frozen Glasses: Stick your glasses in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving – keeps things colder longer.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I make these ahead of time? A: You can blend and freeze in portions, then re-blend when ready to serve. They’re best fresh though.
Q: What if I don’t have cherry syrup? A: Muddle fresh cherries with a little sugar, or use grenadine. Even cherry juice works in a pinch.
Q: Can I use diet soda? A: Absolutely! Just know the texture might be slightly different, but still delicious.
Q: How do I make it less sweet? A: Add more lemon juice or use unsweetened frozen cherries. You can also dilute with a splash of club soda.
Q: What’s the best blender for this? A: Any decent blender works, but higher-powered ones (like Vitamix) give the smoothest texture. Don’t stress if yours isn’t fancy – it’ll still be great.
Q: Can kids have these? A: Of course! Just skip the alcohol add-ins. Kids actually love these more than adults do.
Q: Why is mine too watery? A: Too much liquid or not enough ice. Add more ice and blend again, or pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes.
Print
Frozen Cherry Coke Slushies: The Summer Drink That Brings Back All the Feels
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2–3 large glasses 1x
Description
Remember being a kid and getting that perfect slushy from the corner store that made your tongue turn bright red and your parents shake their heads? Yeah, we’re bringing that magic back, but better. These Frozen Cherry Coke Slushies are like summer vacation in a glass – fizzy, fruity, and so ridiculously refreshing you’ll wonder why you ever settled for regular drinks. We’re talking real cherry flavor (not that artificial stuff that tastes like cough syrup), combined with the classic cola taste you love, all blended into slushy perfection. It’s nostalgic meets sophisticated, and honestly? Adults deserve fun drinks too. Plus, you can totally spike these if you’re feeling fancy – but we won’t tell if you don’t.
Ingredients
For the Basic Slush:
- 2 cups cola (Coke, Pepsi, whatever floats your boat)
- 1 cup frozen cherries (sweet or tart – your call)
- 2 cups ice cubes
- 2–3 tbsp cherry syrup or grenadine
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (trust me on this)
For the Fancy Upgrade:
- Whipped cream for topping
- Fresh cherries with stems
- Maraschino cherries (if you’re feeling retro)
- Extra cherry syrup for drizzling
Adult Version Add-In:
- 2–4 oz cherry rum or vanilla vodka (optional but fun)
Instructions
Pour your cola into ice cube trays the night before and freeze. This is the secret to getting that perfect slushy texture without watering it down.
If you forgot to do this (we’ve all been there), regular ice cubes work fine – just use a bit less liquid.
Frozen cherries are your friend here – they’re already cold and add natural sweetness. If using fresh, pit them first unless you enjoy surprise dental work.
Sweet cherries make it more dessert-like, tart cherries give it that perfect sweet-sour balance.
Toss everything into your blender: frozen cola cubes (or regular ice), frozen cherries, fresh cola, cherry syrup, and lemon juice.
Blend on high until it reaches that perfect slushy consistency – thick enough to need a spoon-straw, loose enough to actually drink.
Too sweet? Add more lemon juice. Not cherry-ey enough? More syrup. Want it stronger? Add that splash of rum.
The beauty is in the tweaking – make it YOUR perfect slushy.
Pour into tall glasses (the presentation matters, people).
Top with whipped cream if you’re feeling extra, and garnish with fresh cherries.
Serve immediately with thick straws or spoon-straws – this isn’t a sipping drink, it’s an experience.
Notes
Perfect for pool parties, BBQs, or just Tuesday afternoon when you need something to smile about.
Make a batch for movie night – way better than theater candy.
Set up a slushy bar with different syrups and let people customize their own.
Serve in mason jars for that Instagram-worthy rustic vibe.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~180 kcal
- Carbohydrates: ~45g