Last summer's pool party changed everything when my sister brought her blender to the backyard. We had leftover red wine from dinner and a freezer full of berries, so we decided to experiment. That first sip of our homemade Red Wine Slushie was pure magic! The frozen berries made it thick and slushy while the wine added just enough kick. Now it's become our weekend tradition whenever the temperature hits the eighties!
Why You'll Love This Red Wine Slushie
This red wine slushie has become my family's obsession for good reason! My teenage daughter actually requests these over regular smoothies, which says everything you need to know. The frozen berries create this incredible slushy texture that's like drinking summer in a glass.
What makes this wine cocktail so special is how the sweetness of the moscato balances perfectly with the tartness of mixed berries. My mom was skeptical at first, claiming wine shouldn't be frozen, but after one taste she was converted!
The best part? You probably have most ingredients already sitting in your freezer. Unlike complicated cocktails that require fancy equipment, this boozy slushie comes together in minutes using just your blender. Every sip tastes like a frozen sangria but so much easier to make. My neighbors have started showing up with their own wine bottles hoping I'll whip up another batch!
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What You'll Need
These simple ingredients transform into pure summer bliss with just a few pulses in your blender! I love how most of these items are probably already waiting in your freezer and pantry.
Main Ingredients
- Red Moscato
- Grand Marnier
- Frozen strawberries
- Frozen blackberries
- Frozen raspberries
- Simple syrup
- Extra frozen berries, for garnish (optional)
Optional Extras
Sometimes I add a splash of lemon juice for extra tang, or throw in some frozen peaches when my daughter raids the berry stash. A few fresh mint leaves make gorgeous garnish that photographs beautifully for social media too.
Want perfect results? Use the measurements in the recipe card.
How to Make Red Wine Slushie
My kitchen becomes a frozen berry wonderland every time I make this! The best part is watching my daughter's face light up when she sees all those colorful berries tumbling into the blender.
Blend Everything Up
Toss your red moscato, Grand Marnier, frozen berries, and simple syrup into the blender. I always pour the wine in first because frozen fruit likes to stick to dry blender bottoms! Give it a good blast on high speed for about a minute until those berries surrender and break apart.
Strain or Skip
This is totally your call! My mom always strains hers because she says berry seeds get stuck in her teeth. I'm team "leave the seeds" because they add character! Either way works perfectly for this red wine slushie.
Can you freeze red wine for slushies without ruining it? Not at all! My husband was worried about this too, but moscato actually tastes more refreshing when frozen. The alcohol keeps it from turning into a solid ice block.
Freeze It
Pour everything into a shallow pan and stick it in the freezer. Every half hour, grab a fork and scrape around to break up those ice crystals. Takes about 2-3 hours total. My sister gets impatient and sometimes serves it early, but waiting pays off!
Scoop and Serve
Grab your ice cream scoop and portion this gorgeous slushie into glasses. The texture should feel like eating flavored snow that melts on your tongue. Top with extra berries if you're feeling fancy!
Garnish and Enjoy
Add fresh strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries on top for that picture-perfect presentation! I love using gold straws because they make the whole drink look so elegant. Serve immediately while it's perfectly slushy and watch everyone's faces light up with that first taste.
That first spoonful hits different. Sweet, boozy, cold, and absolutely perfect for hot summer afternoons!
Top Tip
- After making dozens of these red wine slushies for family gatherings, I've discovered the secret to getting that perfect texture every single time! Always use a shallow, wide dish for freezing instead of a deep container. My first attempt used a tall pitcher and the bottom froze solid while the top stayed liquid. What a mess that was!
- The game changer? Set a timer for every 30 minutes and scrape with a fork religiously. My sister tried to skip this step during her dinner party prep and ended up with wine-flavored ice chunks instead of smooth slushie. Now she calls me every time to double check the timing!
- Also, taste your simple syrup before adding it. Different moscatos have varying sweetness levels, and you might need less syrup than you think. My mom learned this lesson when her first batch turned out candy-sweet because she didn't account for the moscato's natural sugars. Trust your taste buds over measurements sometimes!
Ingredient Substitutions & Variations
When my wine rack runs low, I've gotten creative with this red wine slushie! Any sweet red wine works beautifully here. My neighbor uses Barefoot Sweet Red when moscato isn't available, and honestly, you can barely tell the difference.
For a lighter version, try swapping half the wine for grape juice.
No Grand Marnier? Triple sec or even orange juice does the trick! My sister discovered that peach schnapps creates this amazing summery twist that her book club absolutely devours. Different frozen fruit combinations keep things exciting too.
Storage and Reuse Instructions
Honestly, these red wine slushies disappear so fast in my house that storage is rarely an issue! But when I make large batches for parties, I've learned a few tricks. Store any leftovers in the freezer for up to one week in an airtight container. The texture gets a bit harder, so let it sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before scooping.
My sister tried keeping hers in the fridge overnight once, thinking it would stay slushy. Big mistake! It separated into wine and fruit mush. Always freeze, never refrigerate these babies. When you're ready for round two, just give the frozen mixture a quick stir with a fork to break up any ice crystals.
Sometimes I actually prefer the texture after it's been frozen overnight because the flavors meld together even better. My mom swears day-old slushie tastes more like authentic sangria!
What to Serve With Red Wine Slushie
These fruity slushies work best with simple summer foods that don't fight for attention! Last weekend's pool party taught me that anything too fancy gets ignored when people are focused on this gorgeous red wine slushie. My go-to combo is always chips and guacamole because the creamy avocado mellows out the wine's sweetness perfectly.
My husband discovered these taste amazing with grilled burgers, especially when we're eating outside on hot evenings.
Something about the cold slushie and warm food just hits right! For fancier occasions, I set out a fruit and cheese board since the berries in the drink echo the fresh fruit beautifully.
FAQs About Red Wine Slushie
What is the best red wine for slushies?
Sweet red wines work best for slushies! Moscato is my absolute favorite because it's naturally sweet and fruity, which complements the berries perfectly. My sister uses Barefoot Sweet Red when she can't find moscato, and it tastes just as delicious. Avoid dry reds like cabernet because they can taste bitter when frozen with fruit.
Can you drink frozen red wine?
Absolutely! Freezing red wine doesn't hurt it at all, especially sweeter varieties like moscato. The alcohol prevents it from freezing completely solid, creating that perfect slushy texture we love. My husband was worried about this too until he tried his first spoonful and realized frozen wine tastes even more refreshing than regular wine.
How to make wine slushy mix?
The secret is balancing your wine with frozen fruit and a touch of sweetener! I use equal parts moscato and mixed berries, then add simple syrup to taste. Blend everything together, freeze in a shallow dish, and scrape every 30 minutes. My mom skips the scraping step sometimes and just uses a fork to break up chunks before serving. If you're looking for inspiration or want to follow a tried-and-true method, I recommend this wine slushie recipe that’s super easy and always a hit.
What is a good mixer for red wine?
For slushies, frozen berries are the perfect mixer because they add natural sweetness and create that thick, icy texture. Simple syrup helps balance any tartness from the fruit. My daughter loves when I add a splash of lemon juice for extra zing, though that's totally optional depending on your taste preferences.
How to make newfie slush?
Traditional newfie slush uses different ingredients, but the technique is similar to our red wine version! The key is that slow-freeze method with regular stirring to prevent ice crystals. My cousin from Newfoundland taught me that patience during the freezing process makes all the difference in achieving that perfect slushy consistency. If you want to try an authentic version, check out this Newfoundland Christmas slush recipe , it's a classic that captures the cozy holiday spirit!
More Recipes You'll Love
When this red wine slushie disappears too quickly at parties, I always have backup drink ideas ready to keep the fun going!
Gummy Bear Shot - These adorable candy-flavored shots make everyone giggle before they even taste them.
Kentucky Mule Cocktail - My husband's favorite bourbon drink that's refreshing yet warming at the same time.
Transfusion Recipe - Discovered this at my brother's golf tournament and now make it constantly.
Black Manhattan Cocktail - Perfect for when you want something sophisticated but still fruity and approachable.
Want more fruity fun? This Red Wine Slushie is refreshing, sweet, and always a hit at gatherings.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Pinterest @AlianaRecipes - I'd love to see your twist on it! Share this recipe with friends who need more summer cocktail inspiration in their lives.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Red Wine Slushie:
Red Wine Slushie Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Blender To blend the berries, wine, and syrup
- 1 Glass dish (shallow) To freeze the slushie mixture evenly
- 1 Fork To scrape the mixture during freezing
- 1 Ice cream scoop To serve the slushie
Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen strawberries
- 1 cup frozen blackberries
- 1 cup frozen raspberries
- 1½ cups red Moscato wine - Preferably chilled
- ¼ cup Grand Marnier - Or any orange liqueur
- 3 tablespoons simple syrup - Adjust to taste based on wine sweetness
- Extra frozen berries - For topping before serving
- Fresh mint leaves - Optional, for color & aroma
- Gold straws - for serving flair
Instructions
- Toss your red Moscato, Grand Marnier, frozen berries, and simple syrup into the blender. I always pour the wine in first because frozen fruit likes to stick to dry blender bottoms! Blend on high speed for about a minute until the berries completely break down.
- Straining is optional — some prefer a smooth slushie, others love the added berry texture! Either way works. I usually skip straining because the seeds give it a rustic vibe.
- Pour the blended mixture into a shallow glass dish. Stick it in the freezer for 2–3 hours, scraping with a fork every 30 minutes to break up ice crystals.
- Once fully frozen and fluffy, use an ice cream scoop to portion the slushie into glasses. The texture should feel like flavored snow!
- Top with frozen berries and fresh mint. Add gold straws for flair and serve immediately while perfectly slushy!
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