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This sweet and boozy Brandy Slush Recipe is a Midwestern classic cocktail. Make this easy drink recipe in advance for parties or keep it on hand in your freezer for any time your day could use a little extra spirit(s).
Iced Tea gets an 21+ makeover in this super sweet, juicy, and refreshing make-ahead cocktail recipe. Stash in your freezer to share with your plus one or drop-in party guests. A bucket of Brandy Slush is almost dangerously easy.
Any Brandy cocktail is welcome in Wisconsin, and this slush puts the popular bar cart staple to great use. Read on to learn how to make this classic Wisconsin cocktail in a 10 minutes flat – in an ice cream pail. In a nod to its versatility, Brandy Slush great for the holiday season or as a summer cocktail.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Black tea or green tea: Pick either or both. For ease, I suggest you steep tea bags instead of using loose leaf tea.
- Frozen lemonade concentrate: Limeade concentrate or pink lemonade concentrate will also work, as long as they’re frozen too. This helps the cocktail recipe score its signature slush texture.
- Lemon-lime soda: Sprite, 7-Up, Sierra Mist; take your pick, then use this to top off each Brandy Slush just before serving. Opt for lemon-lime, lemon, lime, or plain sparkling water if you prefer your drinks a little less sweet. Ginger Ale also works. For a fruity variation, top your cocktail with cranberry juice.
Step by step instructions
- Bring 2 cups of water to boil. Add tea bags and steep 3 to 5 minutes. Discard bags and stir in sugar until dissolved.
- In a 1 gallon plastic ice cream bucket or other container, pour remaining 5 cups water, sweetened tea, both frozen juice concentrates, and brandy. Freeze at least 8 hours or overnight.
- To serve, add ½ cup Brandy Slush to a cocktail glass with an ice cream scoop.
- Top with lemon-lime soda or sparkling water. Garnish with an orange slice or lemon wedge if desired.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This Brandy Slush recipe makes 12 servings. Scale up or down as desired to serve your crowd (but keep in mind that extras save well in the freezer).
- Storage: Store in a freezer safe, airtight container in the freezer.
- Make ahead: Since it’s designed to be prepped in advance, this cocktail recipe is a busy host’s dream. Make the slush and freeze for up to 1 month.
- No ice cream bucket: Use any freezer-safe container that holds 14 cups of liquid.
- Brandy Old Fashioned: From Friday fish fries to supper clubs, the Wisconsin drink of choice is a Brandy Old Fashioned. Try this authentic recipe for the Wisconsin twist on this famous classic cocktail.
- Brandy Apple Cider Slush: Who says all fall cocktail recipes must be warm? My easy and festive Brandy Apple Cider Slush recipe can act as an after-dinner drink and dessert all in one.
- Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush: You need just 3 ingredients to make this easy Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush. Share this pretty, refreshing Midwestern classic cocktail recipe at holiday gatherings, showers, and parties.
- Margarita Slush: It only takes 4 ingredients (plus an empty ice cream pail) to make this easy Margarita Slush, and it’s great for backyard barbecues, pool parties, and summer nights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Slushie boozy beverages are a staple at many Midwestern parties and supper clubs, so I’ve recreated my favorites for you to enjoy no matter where you live. After sampling this Brandy Slush, try my Pink Lemonade Vodka Slush, Brandy Apple Cider Slush, and Margarita Slush.
Keep the party going with Long Island Iced Tea and Iced Tea Berry Sangria.
Don’t tell my fellow Midwesterners, but you could absolutely swap in whiskey, bourbon, gin, rum, or vodka.
Combine equal parts sugar and water over medium-low heat in a saucepan. Stir until just dissolved. Cool before using, then add to your favorite cocktails like this Old Fashioned. Store covered in a sterilized jar in the refrigerator.
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Brandy Slush Recipe
Ingredients
- 7 cups water divided
- 4 black tea bags or green tea bags (see note 1)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 (12 ounce) container frozen lemonade concentrate thawed (see note 2)
- 1 (12 ounce) container frozen orange juice concentrate thawed
- 2 cups brandy
- lemon-lime soda or sparkling water, for serving (see note 3)
- lemon and orange wedges, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Bring 2 cups water to boil. Add tea bags and steep 3 to 5 minutes. Discard bags and stir in sugar until dissolved.
- In a 1 gallon plastic ice cream pail or other container, combine remaining 5 cups water, sweetened tea, both frozen juice concentrates, and brandy. Freeze at least 8 hours or overnight.
- To serve, add ½ cup Brandy Slush to a glass. Top with lemon-lime soda or sparkling water. Garnish with orange and lemon wedges if desired.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Black tea or green tea: Pick either or both. For ease, I call for tea bags instead of loose leaf.
- Frozen lemonade concentrate: Limeade concentrate or pink lemonade concentrate will also work, as long as they’re frozen too. This helps the cocktail recipe score its signature slush texture.
- Lemon-lime soda: Sprite, 7-Up, Sierra Mist; take your pick, then use this to top off each Brandy Slush just before serving. Opt for lemon-lime, lemon, lime, or plain sparkling water if you prefer your drinks a little less sweet.
- Yield: This Brandy Slush recipe makes 12 servings. Scale up or down as desired to serve your crowd (but keep in mind that extras save well in the freezer).
- Storage: Store in a freezer safe, airtight container in the freezer.
Nutrition
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
Thanks for this super yummy recipe! Will make again!
Great recipe! It was great pool-side.
So great to hear that, thanks Derek! It’s one of my FAVES for summer.