This Kool-Aid Slurpee is one of my favorite ways to turn a few simple ingredients into a refreshing frozen drink. I blend Kool-Aid, sweetened water, and plenty of ice until everything becomes smooth, icy, and perfectly slushy. I can switch the Kool-Aid flavor whenever I want, making this an easy colorful treat for summer days, parties, or an afternoon refreshment.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it takes only about five minutes from start to finish and requires no cooking. The blender does almost all of the work, so I can have an icy drink ready whenever I want something cold and sweet.
I also like how easy it is to customize. I can use cherry, grape, blue raspberry, tropical punch, or practically any other Kool-Aid flavor I enjoy. Changing the flavor gives the drink a completely different color and taste without changing the basic recipe.
Another reason I keep this recipe around is that it makes four servings at once. It works especially well when I want a quick frozen drink for the family or a simple beverage for a summer gathering.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
½ cup hot water
1 cup granulated sugar
1½ cups cold water
2 packets Kool-Aid, any favorite flavor
4½ cups ice cubes
Directions
I add the hot water and granulated sugar to a small mixing bowl and stir until the sugar has completely dissolved.
I pour the prepared sugar water into a blender.
I add the cold water to the blender.
I sprinkle both Kool-Aid packets over the water, making sure all of the powder goes into the blender.
I add the ice cubes and secure the blender lid firmly.
I blend everything until the ice is completely crushed and the mixture has a smooth, thick, slushy consistency.
I divide the Kool-Aid Slurpee between four glasses and serve it immediately with straws.
Servings and Timing
This recipe makes 4 servings.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: Approximately 220 kcal per serving
Since the drink is best when freshly blended, I serve it as soon as it reaches the smooth, icy consistency I want.
Variations
Try Different Kool-Aid Flavors:
I can make this Slurpee taste completely different simply by changing the Kool-Aid flavor. Cherry and tropical punch give me bold red drinks, while grape creates a deep purple color. Blue raspberry or similar blue flavors are especially fun when I want a brightly colored frozen drink.
Mix Two Flavors:
When I want something different, I use two compatible Kool-Aid flavors instead of two packets of the same flavor. Combining flavors lets me create my own custom frozen drink while keeping the preparation exactly the same.
Adjust the Sweetness:
I can reduce the granulated sugar if I prefer a drink that isn’t quite as sweet. Since Kool-Aid powder can be tart without enough sweetener, I adjust the sugar gradually until I find the balance I like.
Make It Thicker:
For a thicker, icier Slurpee, I add a little extra ice and blend again. I add only a small amount at a time so I don’t dilute the flavor too much.
Make It Thinner:
If my Slurpee comes out too thick for drinking through a straw, I blend in a splash of cold water. I start with a small amount because adding too much water can quickly turn the slushy texture into a thin drink.
Storage/Reheating
I find this Kool-Aid Slurpee is best served immediately after blending. As it sits at room temperature, the crushed ice melts and the drink gradually loses its thick frozen texture.
If I have leftovers, I transfer them to a freezer-safe container and store them in the freezer. The mixture will freeze much harder than its original Slurpee consistency, so I let it soften briefly before serving. I can also break the frozen mixture into chunks and blend it again until slushy.
I don’t reheat this recipe because it’s intended to be served frozen. Instead, I re-blend frozen leftovers with a small splash of cold water when necessary to restore a drinkable consistency.
Related Recipes:
FAQs
Can I make a Kool-Aid Slurpee without a blender?
I get the best results with a blender because it crushes the ice into the fine texture that gives the drink its classic slushy consistency. Without one, I can use finely crushed ice and mix it thoroughly with the prepared Kool-Aid mixture, although the texture won’t be quite as smooth.
What Kool-Aid flavor works best for a Slurpee?
I use whichever flavor I enjoy most. Cherry, grape, tropical punch, and blue raspberry-style flavors all work well. Since the basic recipe stays the same, I can experiment with different varieties until I find my favorite.
Why is my Kool-Aid Slurpee too watery?
I usually get a watery Slurpee when the ice has melted too much or when there’s too much liquid. I add additional ice a little at a time and blend again until the mixture becomes thick and slushy.
Can I reduce the amount of sugar?
Yes. I can reduce the sugar according to my preferred sweetness level. I keep in mind that unsweetened Kool-Aid powder is quite tart, so cutting the sugar significantly will produce a noticeably more sour drink.
Can I prepare this Slurpee ahead of time?
I prefer making it immediately before serving because that’s when the texture is at its best. If I need to prepare it ahead, I freeze the mixture and re-blend it shortly before serving, adding a small amount of cold water if needed.
Conclusion
This Kool-Aid Slurpee is a quick and colorful frozen drink I can make in just five minutes. I love that the recipe uses inexpensive pantry ingredients, requires no cooking, and gives me plenty of room to experiment with different flavors and colors. Whether I make it for a hot afternoon, a family treat, or a summer party, I serve it freshly blended for the smoothest and most refreshing slushy texture.
📖 Recipe:
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Kool-Aid Slurpee
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Kool-Aid Slurpee is a quick, colorful frozen drink made with sweetened Kool-Aid and plenty of ice. It blends up thick, smooth, and refreshingly slushy in just five minutes.
Ingredients
½ cup hot water
1 cup granulated sugar
1½ cups cold water
2 packets Kool-Aid, any favorite flavor
4½ cups ice cubes
Instructions
- Add the hot water and granulated sugar to a small mixing bowl and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
- Pour the prepared sugar water into a blender.
- Add the cold water and Kool-Aid powder to the blender.
- Add the ice cubes and secure the blender lid firmly.
- Blend until the ice is completely crushed and the mixture is smooth, thick, and slushy.
- Divide between four glasses and serve immediately with straws.
Notes
Use any favorite Kool-Aid flavor, such as cherry, grape, tropical punch, or blue raspberry-style flavors.
Try combining two compatible Kool-Aid flavors to create a custom flavor.
Reduce the granulated sugar to taste for a less-sweet drink, keeping in mind that unsweetened Kool-Aid powder is tart.
For a thicker Slurpee, blend in a little additional ice. For a thinner consistency, add a small splash of cold water.
Serve immediately for the best frozen texture.
Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe container, then allow them to soften briefly and re-blend with a splash of cold water as needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 55 g
- Sodium: 20 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 56 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
