5 Homemade Summer Slushies To Beat the Heat and Keep Your Health

Want relief from the heat without the sugar rush of a slurpee from 7-11? Basically sugar water and ice with names like Cheery-Cherry and Bouncin’ Banana to hint at the flavor and mislead into thinking there may actually be fruit in there.

There isn’t. These may cool you down, but you’ll soon feel the sugar rush and crash. Plus putting refined sugar into your system all summer long is going to seriously undo your bikini body.

Slush Fund

You’ve got to make your own slushies, with simple ingredients – real fruit and ice – and a few additives for some health promoting benefits. The basic necessities to homemade slushies are:

Equipment

Cutting board

Knife

Measuring cup

High-powered blender (or blender strong enough to crush ice)

Ingredients

1 1/2 to 2 cups chopped fresh fruit

1 cup ice (plus extra, depending on the type of fruit used)

1/4 cup sparkling water

Extra herbs, spices, or other flavorants

The process for slushie-making is the same across the board. Of course you’ve got to wash, pit, core, seed, and, if necessary, peel the fruit you’ve chosen. Make sure you’ve got the right amount of fruit – usually 1½ to 2 cups will do for one serving.

Blend with ice (and sparkling water or juice as called for) in a high-powered blender. Add any extra flavorants like mint or lemon juice now. Blend on high until you’ve reached the slushy consistency.

Herby Additions

Why add herbs? These extra additions will make other flavors sing and explode on your tongue. The herbs also carry a lot of health benefits, a happy addition to the fruit slushie.

Mint: pairs well with watermelon and tropical fruits. Will help with digestion. Freshens breath.

Basil: makes berries really stand out. An anti-inflammatory and antibacterial herb.

Honey: adds sweetness to tart fruits. Gives an energy boost.

Lime: goes really well with mango. Gives a vitamin C and folate boost.

Vanilla: I’m told this is “heavenly” in mango slushies.

Ginger: manages blood sugar levels, is an anti-inflammatory, prevents colds and flus, and helps with digestion.

Lemon: Makes any slushie taste more like frozen lemonade. Also, a big vitamin C boost and part of an alkaline diet.

Here are 5 simple, delicious recipes for a healthy, homemade summer slushie.

Pineapple, Orange, and Passionfruit Slushie

4 passionfruit

2 cups pineapple juice

4 oranges, juiced (to make 2 cups)

2 cups crushed ice

Strain all the pulp from the passion fruit and discard the seeds. Combine ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Mango Slushie

1 cup of frozen mango pieces

1 cup of juice (apple, orange or pineapple)

(Note: Replace juice with coconut water to reduce sugar content.)

Place the frozen fruit into blender and pour in the juice. Blend until desired consistency. Add ice if this is more of a juice than a slushie.

Strawberry Slush

20 strawberries

4 tsp lemon juice

2 heaped tsp honey

10-12 ice cubes

Place all ingredients in blender and blend until smooth. Pour into small cups or bowls and serve with spoons.

Blueberry-Coconut Slush

1 cup pineapple sherbet or sorbet

1 cup frozen blueberries

¾ cup canned reduced-fat coconut milk

¼ cup sweetened shredded coconut

Combine ingredients in blender until smooth. Pour into a tall chilled glass. Makes 2 servings.

Cantaloupe and Lime Slushie

6 cups ripe cantaloupe chunks

1 teaspoon lime zest, plus more for garnish

⅔ cup fresh lime juice, from about 8 limes

¼ cup plus 1 Tbsp. honey

1 cup cold water

Freeze cantaloupe at least 4 hours or overnight if possible. Whisk lime zest and juice together with honey until all the honey has dissolved and combine in blender with cantaloupe, 1 cup of cold water. Blend until smooth. Pour into glasses with lime zest garnish (if desired). Makes 4 servings.