On an intensely hot summer day, you need a fruity and refreshing drink to quench your thirst.
In Wisconsin, many of us like to treat ourselves to a brandy slush: an old fashioned frozen concoction, full of citrusy sweet flavors and a dash of brandy.
This icy wonder is incredibly easy to make and will keep in the freezer for weeks. It's perfect to make ahead for a party, last minute guests, or just a quick cocktail to scoop on a hot day.
This slush is destined to become your go-to party pleaser!
Why You Will Love This Brandy Slush Recipe
- So Refreshing: Brandy Slush is perfect for cooling off during hot summer days or as a satisfying dessert.
- Make-Ahead Magic: Brandy Slush is so convenient! You can prepare it well in advance, saving you time when hosting parties or to pull out when unexpected guests arrive.
- Balance of Flavors: The sweet blend of zesty citrus and the subtle warmth of brandy creates an exquisite flavor profile. This "adult slushie" will appeal to most everyone!
Wisconsin Brandy Slush Ingredients
How To Make Brandy Slush
This slush is very easy to make! I am following my mom's original recipe (see photo) and I'll let you know where I deviate slightly from the original.
First, start heating some water in a saucepan. (Mom started with 3 ½ cups, I used just 3 cups.) Then pour in the sugar and stir to dissolve. (Mom said to boil, but my sugar dissolved before a full boil was reached.)
Turn off the heat and let the sugar water cool.
Bring one additional cup of water to a boil. (I microwaved it right in the Pyrex measuring cup) Add 2 tea bags and let them steep for 5 minutes. (Mom didn't say how long)
Now, find a freezer-safe container that will hold the 2 quarts of your Wisconsin style brandy slush. I use Ziploc food storage containers which work great.
Add the lemonade concentrate, orange juice concentrate, brandy, black tea, and sugar water to the container and stir well.
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Once all the frozen ingredients are thawed and everything is evenly mixed, cover and freeze.
You'll need to freeze this overnight (Mom said 24 hours).
When ready to serve, simply scrape some of the slush mixture with a spoon or ice cream scoop. The alcohol content prevents the mixture from freezing solid, which makes scooping a breeze!
Fill each glass about half full, then top with lemon-lime soda. Give each drink a quick stir and garnish as desired with slices of orange or lime, or a cocktail pick with cherries.
Have a little fun with it! 🍹
Serving Suggestions
- This Wisconsin Brandy Slush is perfect to enjoy on a hot afternoon while relaxing on the patio or deck. It also makes a great pre-dinner appetizer, or a post-dinner dessert.
- This delightful drink works with grilled dishes, seafood, or light salads.
- Have fun with your drinkware! Serve the slush in cocktail glasses or even fun and colorful tumblers for a more casual setting. Red Solo cup, here we come!
As you can see in my pictures, I like rocks glasses but also sometimes use brandy snifters for a really festive vibe. - This slush would also be great for a holiday party. Just scoop and serve!
How to Store Wisconsin Brandy Slush
This brandy slush can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. Which is how long summer is. Coincidence? I think not! LOL
Recipe FAQs
This is a fruity and sweet drink. It's a little bit Arnold Palmer mixed with Long Island Iced Tea. It has some definite similarities to a brandy old fashioned. Only pretty low in alcohol per serving. The fruit juices definitely dominate the taste.
Certainly! Some people use green tea, which will give the slush a slightly different flavor. You can also eliminate the tea altogether. The recipe is very flexible that way.
You have 2 options here: either add more brandy to the mix, or add a little to each glass when serving. I would lean toward the latter, as it gives you the most flexibility to accommodate the light drinkers as well as those looking for "more".
Frozen juice concentrate used to be sold in both 6- and 12-ounce sizes. Clearly the manufacturers ultimately decided the 6 ounce sizes weren't worth making, as I now only see the 12 ounce size sold. But if you're looking at an old recipe like this one, it is scaled for a 6 ounce container. You can either save the remaining for another batch, or just make a double batch right away. 😁
Here is what I recommend: Use 3 cups of sugar-free lemon lime soda (7Up or Sprite) in place of the water+sugar. Mix all other ingredients as described. Once frozen, scoop and top with more sugar-free soda.
I made this and feel that the texture is slightly different (more "icy" when scooping) but its kind of worth it to avoid the sugar bomb of the original recipe! It's still delish!
📖 Recipe
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Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups water divided
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 black tea bags
- 6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate
- 6 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate
- 1 cup brandy
- lemon-lime soda for topping
Instructions
- Place 3 cups of water in a medium saucepan and turn the heat to high. Add sugar and stir until fully dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool down.4 cups water, 1 cup sugar
- Heat one cup of water to boiling (I microwave in a Pyrex measuring cup) and then add the tea bags to the water. Let the tea steep for at least 5 minutes, then remove the bags and let the liquid tea cool down a little.2 black tea bags, 4 cups water
- Add the frozen juice concentrates, sugar water, brandy, and tea to a 2-quart freezer-safe container. Stir to evenly mix and ensure the frozen juices have fully thawed and distributed.6 ounces frozen orange juice concentrate, 6 ounces frozen lemonade concentrate, 1 cup brandy
- Cover and freeze overnight.
- When ready to serve, scoop into serving glasses (fill about half full) and then top with lemon-lime soda.lemon-lime soda
- Give each glass a quick stir, and garnish with fruit slices as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Angela
This brandy slush it's such an easy way to make a fancy cocktail-inspired frozen drink at home!
Sula
It really does feel fancy, but is so easy!
Tiffany
This Wisconsin girl now lives in the South. I loved the taste of home with this brandy slush but it went even better in our current heat wave!
Sula
Yes its the best remedy for any heat wave!!
Sherry Ronning
Your Wisconsin frozen brandy slush is perfect for a relaxing day at the beach. I like to throw the slushy mixture in a cooler along with a bottle of squirt and a mug so it don't melt easily. This is my new summer favorite cocktail!
Sula
Great idea for toting to the beach! Thanks for sharing!
Ksenia
Oh, Wisconsin Frozen Brandy Slush, you are the ultimate frozen delight! This refreshing and boozy concoction is a true taste of summer in a glass. With a perfect balance of flavors, it's both sweet and tangy, making each sip a delightful journey for the taste buds. Thank you for sharing this fantastic recipe – it's sure to be a hit at my next gathering!
Sula
I hope your guests love it much as I do!