Ouzo lemonade slushie (Slushy cocktail)
A frosty and slushy cocktail made with frozen lemonade cubes, fresh lemonade, simple syrup and ouzo. This refreshing drink is perfect for hot summer days, or anytime you want a special beverage that you can whip up quickly and with ease.
Most Greeks outside of Greece that I know (including my family) have at least one souvenir bottle of ouzo in their dining room buffet or liquor cabinet. These are usually bottles decorated with scenes of the Parthenon and go unopened for years – either because they are too pretty to “ruin” or because no one actually likes to drink ouzo. Well, get ready guys. Dust off those bottles and prepare to run through your whole stash of ouzo with this amazing ouzo lemonade slushie, the perfect summer slushy cocktail!
Once you give this recipe a try, you will realize that even if you don’t like ouzo straight-up, you will find other delicious ways to enjoy it! Maybe you will make the most amazing Shrimp saganaki which includes a splash of ouzo. Perhaps you will try Kourabiethes, those traditional Greek Christmas cookies with some ouzo in the dough. Or, you may want to try my original and delicious way to serve the Greek dessert, Spoon sweet vanilla with ouzo called ypovrichio (submarine). Be sure to also check out my Best Greek ouzo cocktails.
Why this recipe is perfect
Montreal summers can get pretty hot and humid. Temperatures ranging in the high twenties or early thirties, with a high humidex can make you feel hot and sweaty and pretty uncomfortable. The best place to be when that happens is by the water (a pool, a lake, the shower), sipping a nice cool drink, like this one.
Even when the weather is a little chillier, it is nice to enjoy a flavour burst of summer, making this cocktail perfect year round.
I love how easy this recipe is, and now simple it is to double, triple and even quadruple the recipe. Honestly, the only limiting factor is how large your blender is. No worries though, you can make this recipe easily on repeat!
I hope that I have already convinced you that ouzo served with lemonade will make an ouzo drinker out of everyone, even people who don’t care for ouzo! There is something about the tartness of lemon that brings out the best in ouzo. The strong anise flavour is still present, but less pronounced, and it goes down easy!
Key ingredients
Nothing could be simpler than this tasty and refreshing ouzo cocktail. All you need is to be prepared, and to have frozen lemonade ice cubes in the freezer.
Lemonade I use fresh lemonade, and also lemonade that I have frozen in ice cube trays. This frozen lemonade is what gives the slushy nature of the cocktail.
Ouzo I love the anise flavour of the ouzo in this drink. You can add as much, or as little as you like.
Simple syrup Making simple syrup is a cinch. I try to always have a small batch available in my refrigerator, and I use it to make all sorts of cocktails.
For garnish
Sugar When I feel especially fancy I dip the rim of my cocktail glass in some sugar. This is optional of course.
Lemon slice I sometimes add a slice of lemon either to the rim of my glass, or inside my slushie. It looks pretty, and tells people what flavour to expect when they are served the drink. Of course, you can also just tell them what you made them!
How to make
Step 1 – Optional
If desired, run a piece of lemon along the rim of your glass and then dip it into a bowl of sugar. Set aside.
Step 2
Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend just until you reach a slushie consistency. Pour into glass and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Helpful hints
I try to make my own lemonade when I make cocktails such as this one, but honestly, sometimes I don’t have the time or energy. No worries! There are plenty of good quality lemonades that you can purchase at the grocery store, and those would work just fine here.
After I freeze my lemonade in ice cube trays I transfer the frozen cubes to freezer safe bags. I use them to make this slushy cocktail, but also to add some lemon flavour to my water, and even to regular lemonade (have you tried my Rose flavoured lemonade?!). Frozen lemonade cubes are great because they don’t dilute the flavour of the lemonade the way water ice cubes would.
Recipe variations
Make a vodka lemonade slushy by substituting the ouzo with vodka. Other alcohol which would work include gin and tequila. Even white rum would be lovely.
How to make simple syrup
To make simple syrup combine equal parts white granulated sugar with water. Bring to a boil until the sugar dissolves and then transfer to a container to cool. You can store simple syrup in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Frequently asked questions
What is ouzo?
Ouzo is a dry aperitif that is flavoured with anise. It is prepared through the distillation of rectified spirits, and the anise flavouring is then added to it. Ouzo is widely consumed throughout Greece and Cyprus and is perfect to serve alongside mezes such as keftedes (Greek meatballs) and Greek sausage, like loukaniko stuffed with kefalotyri cheese.
Is ouzo high in alcohol?
Most ouzo is around 80 proof, which is milder than some other alcohols, like whiskey and rum. Still, caution must be used when drinking ouzo because the high sugar content delays the release of alcohol into your bloodstream, so you don’t feel the effect of the alcohol immediately.
Where can I buy ouzo to make ouzo lemonade slushie, a perfect slushy cocktail?
Any well stocked liquor store will sell ouzo that you can use to make ouzo lemonade slushie, this delicious slushy cocktail.
How long does ouzo last?
The short answer is, forever! The concern over how old ouzo is relates to the quality of the product, and not the safety of consuming it. If stored properly, a bottle of ouzo, even one which has been opened, will last indefinitely. However, if the ouzo tastes off or looks murky, it should be discarded for quality purposes.
How to serve
Serve this cocktail immediately after making it. It goes really well with a variety of Greek mezes, including Meatballs, Spanakopita and Fried calamari.
Related recipes
If you love this recipe, try these other slushy cocktails with ouzo:
Honeydew ouzo cocktail Frozen honeydew melon combined with simple syrup, mint and of course, ouzo. Such a perfect combination.
Strawberry and watermelon frozen ouzo cocktail Frozen strawberries and watermelon combine for the most refreshing and beautiful drink!
Cantaloupe frosty with ouzo So good! So pretty! Freeze some cantaloupe and have it ready to make this amazing ouzo cocktail.
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Ouzo lemondade slushie (Slushy cocktail)
Equipment
- 1 Blender
Ingredients
- 1 fluid ounce ouzo 30 ml
- ½ fluid ounce simple syrup 15 ml; see Recipe Note
- 10 frozen cubes of lemonade
- 2 fluid ounces lemonade 60 ml
For garnish, optional
- 1 lemon slice
- sugar for rim of glass
Instructions
- If desired, run a piece of lemon along the rim of your glass and then dip it into a bowl of sugar. Set aside.
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend just until you reach a slushie consistency. Pour into glass and serve immediately. Enjoy!1 fluid ounce ouzo, ½ fluid ounce simple syrup, 10 frozen cubes of lemonade, 2 fluid ounces lemonade