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Summer is quickly approaching, you guys! One of my favorite things about warm weather, besides the lattes, is raiding the pantry for whatever fizzy things we have lying around.
Last time we counted eleven cups on the counter and nobody claimed a single one, haha!
I mean, how could I possibly resist a drink that’s just fruit, ice and something sparkly on top? I can’t!
Since backyard hangouts are only a couple of short weeks away, I’ve gathered 20 adorable drinks ideas the entire family will love. Don’t fret if you’ve never made a slushie in your life.
From fruity coolers to milkshake mashups and a few sonic drinks combinations ideas thrown in, isn’t there something here for every kind of thirsty person?
Under each one I’ve added the little details you actually want to know, plus a link to the full step-by-step recipe.
DRINKS IDEAS
Strawberry Lemonade Slush Cooler
We’re starting off strong with the classic strawberry lemonade slush cooler. It’s tart, it’s sweet and it disappears the second the blender stops!
Frozen strawberries do all the work here, so there’s no chopping involved. Nobody wins that argument, lol!
- Blender only, no stove
- Ready in ten minutes
- Frozen fruit keeps it slushy
- Kids ask for seconds
Sparkling Watermelon Mint Refresher
How refreshing does this watermelon mint one look? The mint leaves float right on top like they belong there!
Muddle the mint before adding the sparkling water so the flavor actually shows up. This is the drink I bring to every summer potluck. It never lasts past the first hour, honestly!
- Backyard party favorite
- Muddled mint does the trick
- Sparkling water keeps it light
- No added sugar needed
Iced Vanilla Chai Latte
This iced vanilla chai one might be my actual love language. Cinnamon, cardamom and a splash of cream over ice, that’s the whole appeal!
My coffee order gets judged every autumn and I stand by it proudly. Not that I’m defensive about lattes or anything, haha!
- Coffee shop copycat
- Steeps while you get ready
- Vanilla syrup ties it together
- Tastes better than the drive thru
Peach Iced Tea Cooler
Steep the tea strong so the peach flavor doesn’t get lost. Fresh peach slices on top make it look fancier than it actually is. It’s the easiest upgrade for barely any effort!
Frozen Mango Pineapple Smoothie
Frozen mango pineapple smoothies taste like vacation in a cup. They’re thick, bright orange and gone within minutes at our house!
Toss frozen mango straight into the blender with pineapple juice. No thawing required, which is exactly my kind of recipe. Who doesn’t love a shortcut like that?
- Tropical five minute fix
- Frozen fruit means no watering down
- Blends thick and creamy
- Great for a quick breakfast
Blue Raspberry Slushie Float
Who doesn’t love a good float, am I right? This blue raspberry version turns an ordinary slushie into a party trick!
A scoop of vanilla ice cream floats right on top and slowly melts into the blue syrup. The color alone makes kids lose their minds.
- Neon and proud of it
- Ice cream melts in slowly
- Bright blue every single time
- No fancy equipment needed
Cucumber Lime Sparkling Water
Cucumber lime sparkling water is the drink for people who claim they don’t like sweet things. Thin cucumber ribbons float on top. Doesn’t it look straight out of a spa?
I make this one when I want to feel fancy for two minutes flat. Zero cooking skill required, which is exactly my speed!
- Spa water at home
- Two minutes start to finish
- Cucumber slices instead of syrup
- Lime wedge on the rim
Iced Caramel Coffee Float
OMG! Are you guys seeing this caramel coffee float right now? Cold brew, caramel drizzle and a scoop of ice cream on top, I mean come on, lol!
The caramel pools at the bottom of the glass and you get a little surprise with every sip. This is basically dessert wearing a coffee costume!
- Dessert disguised as coffee
- Cold brew keeps it strong
- Caramel drizzle on the glass first
- Vanilla ice cream floats on top
Layered Berry Fruit Punch
Layered berry fruit punch looks like it took hours, but it really just took patience. Each layer settles by itself if you pour slowly!
Raspberry, blueberry and cranberry juice stack into stripes without any stirring. I always forget how fast people wreck the stripes. The tray never survives the first hour at a party!
- Stripes with zero effort
- Pour slowly for clean layers
- Three juices, one pitcher
- Looks fancier than it is
Coconut Pineapple Cream Soda
Coconut pineapple cream soda tastes like a tiny beach vacation. It’s fizzy, sweet and just a little bit tropical!
Coconut cream syrup mixed with pineapple soda does most of the heavy lifting. My neighbors request this one every single cookout, so I just stock up now.
- Beach vibes in a glass
- Coconut syrup from the pantry
- Garnish with a pineapple wedge
Frozen Hot Chocolate Cup
Frozen hot chocolate sounds like a contradiction, but it works beautifully. Blended chocolate, ice and milk create something between a milkshake and cocoa.
Whipped cream and chocolate shavings finish it off. It’s the drink I make when the neighborhood kids beg for hot chocolate in July. Who says seasons have to make sense?
- The July cocoa fix
- Blends thick like a milkshake
- Chocolate shavings on top
- Kids request it year round
Sparkling Cranberry Ginger Ale
Sparkling cranberry ginger ale has become our unofficial holiday punch. It’s the drink that shows up at every family dinner without fail!
The ginger ale adds a little bite that cuts through the sweetness. Cranberries frozen ahead of time double as ice cubes too.
- Holiday table regular
- Frozen cranberries work as ice
- Ginger ale adds a little kick
- Ready in under five minutes
Ocean Water Sprite Mix
Ocean water is one of the most requested this drinks combinations ideas out there. This homemade version nails it. That coconut and lemon lime combo is basically summer bottled up!
Blue food coloring gives it that ocean look without any weird flavor. I always underestimate how many questions it gets. Fair warning, everyone will ask what’s in it, haha!
- The copycat everyone asks about
- Blue color makes it pop
- Tastes like the drive thru version
Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper Blend
Cherry vanilla Dr Pepper is one of those combos that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. The cherry syrup and vanilla cream soften the bite of the soda!
Same!
Strawberry Cheesecake Slush Mix
Strawberry cheesecake slush mix tastes exactly like the dessert it’s named after. Crushed graham crackers get sprinkled right on top for that cheesecake crust flavor!
I blend frozen strawberries with a splash of cream and vanilla whenever the heat hits. No shame in drinking dessert for lunch on a warm day!
- Dessert you can sip
- Graham cracker crumbs on top
- Cream cheese flavor mixed in
Pink Drink Coconut Mix
Coconut milk turns the whole thing creamy and dreamy!
She’s basically the quality control department now, lol!
- The niece approved order
- Coconut milk makes it creamy
- Freeze dried berries for crunch
Butterfinger Blast Milkshake Mix
Talk about talent! This Butterfinger blast milkshake mix turns a candy bar into an actual drink and I’m fully on board!
Crushed candy gets blended right into the vanilla base. The bottom of the glass has never looked this good. Who could say no to that?
- Candy aisle inspired
- Crushed candy blended right in
- Topped with extra candy pieces
Electric Blue Lemonade Combo
Electric blue lemonade combo is loud, bright and exactly what a pool party needs. Blue raspberry syrup turns regular lemonade into something kids beg for!
I’ve stopped serving this near my white couch after last summer. It’s sweet, tart and slightly terrifying to spill. No shame in that, honestly!
- Pool day essential
- Tart lemonade balances the sweet
- Bright color kids love
Sunset Orange Cream Slush
Sunset orange cream slush looks exactly like its name promises. Orange sherbet blended into cream soda creates those pretty layered colors!
I never manage to get the gradient the same way twice. The colors shift depending on my mood that day, apparently. Every glass ends up being its own little surprise.
- No two glasses match
- Orange sherbet blended smooth
- Layers form on their own
Tropical Rush Slushie Combo
Last but definitely not least, we have this tropical rush slushie combo. Pineapple, mango and coconut all blended into one icy cup!
It’s basically a vacation you can drink in your own kitchen. I’ve genuinely tried to convince myself the backyard is a beach, lol! The straw helps more than it should, haha!
- Vacation in a cup
- Three fruits blended together
- Coconut adds the tropical note
Just a little note - some of the links on here may be affiliate links, which means I might earn a small commission if you decide to shop through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only post content which I'm truly enthusiastic about and would suggest to others.
And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Giulia
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