NOW EXPERIENCING:9 of our most refreshing frozen cocktails
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9 of our most refreshing frozen cocktails

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 23 Jan 2025

By
Emily Reed

The Frozen Aperol Spritz puts an icy twist on the much-loved classic

You didn’t think your new Christmas blender was just for smoothies, did you?

You can accumulate a lot of kitchen appliances over the years. Did you really need that electric peeler or popcorn maker? And we’re not sure what possessed you when that hot-dog cooker showed up in the mail, but we’re not here to judge. What we are here to do is tell you that when it comes to making cocktails, a blender is your best friend. It turns your favourite cocktails into refreshing frozen treats, lets you batch-make drinks for all your mates, and packs those drinks with some of the best seasonal summer fruit on offer.  

We could go on about how great blenders – and ice – are for cocktails, but we think the following recipes speak for themselves. Get ready to blitz, sip and repeat.

The Frozen Aperol Spritz puts an icy twist on the cult-favourite cocktail
1. Frozen Aperol SpritzWho knew the OG Aperol Spritz could become even more summer-appropriate? Well, people with a blender did. This icy twist on the cult-favourite cocktail is guaranteed to inject a little something special into your summer sip-list. You can still expect everything you love about an Aperol Spritz – think vibrant Aperol, effervescent prosecco, and a big orange wedge. Oh, and heaps of ice. Just like the original cocktail, this recipe doesn’t require any fancy gear or a degree in mixology – just a blender, a handful of ice and a hot day for good measure. So, grab your Aperol, pour in the fizz, and give this summer sipper the blender treatment. 
2. Frozen Lychee MartiniThis cocktail may be new to our list, but it’s already proving quite the crowd-pleaser. And while it's perfect for summer – hello, lychee season – our recipe uses tinned lychees (and that precious juice they sit in) so you can make it year-round. Other ingredients include elderflower liqueur, a quality gin, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to bring it all together. In other words, it’s a breeze. Toss in a handful of lychees and a cup of ice to your blender. Add a generous splash of elderflower liqueur and a good gin, then finish with a dash of fresh lemon juice. Blend it all up and locate a sun lounge immediately. 
The Frozen Lychee Martini is one of the best cocktails for summer
The Frozen Watermelon Margarita is garnished with a wedge of watermelon
3. Frozen Watermelon MargaritaIt’s an unspoken rule of summer that your fridge should always have watermelon. And when you’ve got leftovers, the best way to use them is by chopping, freezing and blending them with triple sec and tequila. It’s as easy as it sounds. That said, this isn’t exactly a spur-of-the-moment cocktail – it requires a little planning. Be sure to chop your watermelon into cubes before freezing, or you’ll end up wrestling with a giant frozen melon and that’s a guaranteed bad time. When blending all the ingredients, start on a low setting and gradually increase to high for a perfectly smooth, slushy consistency. The result? A frozen cocktail that screams summer.
4. Frozen FlamingoHere we have another frozen Marg, but it's the addition of a darker, bitter orange liqueur (like Campari) and a touch of agave syrup, that makes it extra special. As for the name? Well, we couldn't resist when we saw that soft pink hue. And given flamingoes are social creatures, it seems only fitting that you enjoy this blender-made cocktail with a flock of your closest friends. Just toss everything into a blender, add a hearty scoop of ice, and hit ‘power on’. Pour into a pre-chilled coupe, garnish with a lime wheel and you’ve got a refreshing, summer-worthy cocktail.  
The Frozen Flamingo is a little like a frozen Margarita, but with Campari
The Frozen Coconut Daiquiri is one of the best tropical, summery cocktails
5. Frozen Coconut DaiquiriSelf-confessed Bounty lovers and tropical holiday enthusiasts, this one’s for you. With double the coconut (cream and frozen), this cocktail serves up a perfectly balanced sweet, nutty flavour – taking the classic sunny drink back to its palm-tree-lined beachside roots. When it comes to a Daiquiri, the fruitier the better, so try trading (or adding) coconut with pineapple, passionfruit, mango, strawberries, or whichever summer fruit is at its ripest. To prepare, blend white rum, coconut cream, fresh lime juice and ice until smooth. Serve in a chilled glass, garnished with a lime wheel or coconut flakes.
6. Frozen Banana DaiquiriHere’s a cracking, kitschy, Caribbean cocktail that perfectly balances the creamy, smooth sweetness of banana, the tart brightness of lime, and the deep warmth of rum. Not to mention the addition of maple syrup, banana liqueur (we love Marie Brizard) and blitzed ice. Essentially, if you have ingredients to make banana pancakes for breakfast, you can make this Daiquiri for summer knock-offs. Blend all your ingredients until the consistency is velvety and frosty – and don’t be afraid to add extra ice if it’s looking too runny.
The Frozen Banana Daiquiri is super simple and refreshing
The Frozen Strawberry Daiquiri is one of the fruitiest, most refreshing cocktails
7. Frozen Strawberry DaiquiriA fruity summer staple that will cool you down in one sip? This is it. There’s something about the sweet, tart nature of fresh strawberries that pairs perfectly with the smoothness of white rum. For maximum flavour, go for a Cuban white rum like Bacardi or Santisima Trinidad. Feeling adventurous? This cocktail loves a twist. Try it with blackberries, peaches, or fresh herbs like mint or basil. Whatever your spin, this fruity favourite is sunshine in a glass. Pro tip: chill your glass in the fridge for at least an hour, or pop it in the freezer for 30 minutes if you’re in a rush. Double straining is non-negotiable too – it’s the secret to achieving that silky-smooth texture.
8. Frozen Non-Alc Piña Colada

This non-alc version contains all the tropical frozen pineapple and coconut fun with a zero% alcohol rum* that tastes like the real thing. We suggest fresh pineapple juice to make the most of its balancing zing. Don’t be afraid to pick up some other seasonal summer fruit while you’re at the supermarket: frozen passionfruit, lychee, kiwi or mango all sing in this drink. Then there’s the coconut cream: try and use full-fat or, better yet, try to source Coco Lopez Real Cream of Coconut, the original base for the Piña Colada made in Puerto Rico in the 1950s and still available today.

 

Enjoy a frozen Pina Colada without the alcohol
Not just for Christmas, the Mezcalita Trifle is a tasty summer cocktail
9. Mezcalita TrifleSure, we technically designed this as a Christmas cocktail, but who says you can’t enjoy it – along with ham, pudding and mince tarts – all year round? Perfect for December and beyond, this drink is as delicious as it is impressive and surprisingly easy to make (with a little prep). The secret lies in choosing a high-quality mezcal – treat it like a whisky or wine and pick one that shines on its own. Fresh apricots and raspberries are a must if you can get them. You’ll also need a pack of Aeroplane Jelly in the cupboard, which makes for a delightful cocktail base and a trip down memory lane.
Want even more cocktail inspiration? Check out our growing collection of recipes, which you can filter by key spirit, flavour profile or keyword. 
Authour image
Emily ReedEmily is a Melbourne-based writer partial to a good pét nat. Her hobbies include lining up songs on Spotify at house parties and hovering near cheese platters.
Tags
Cocktails'Best of' listsTequila & MezcalNon-alcoholicVodkaFruityAperitifsSweetDryGinSourEntertainingLiqueursRumEasy
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