Refreshing Red Wine Slushie

This Red Wine Slushie is a refreshing twist on a classic summer cocktail. It combines frozen berries with sweet red wine and ginger ale to create a vibrant, icy drink perfect for warm days or casual gatherings. The fruity base balances beautifully with the wine's subtle sweetness, and the fizzy ginger ale adds a gentle sparkle that keeps it light and festive.

I first made this on a hot afternoon when I wanted something cold and easy to sip. From then on, it became my go-to for summer entertaining, and friends often ask for seconds.

Ingredients

• Frozen mixed berries: Four cups of frozen mixed berries including raspberry, blueberry and blackberry provide a naturally sweet and tart flavor while adding vibrant color Use fresh berries as garnish for the best visual appeal
• Sweet red wine: Seven hundred fifty milliliters of sweet red wine such as Moscato adds sweetness and a rich fruity depth Choose a wine you enjoy drinking as its flavor is prominent
• Ginger ale: Twelve ounces of ginger ale brings carbonation and a subtle spicy kick that cuts through the sweetness Pick a fresh ginger ale with real ginger for extra brightness

Instructions

Add fruit and wine:

Add the frozen fruit and the entire bottle of wine to a blender. Blend until all of the fruit is finely pureed this usually takes one to two minutes depending on your blender’s power.

Mix with ginger ale:

Add one can of ginger ale to the blender and then pulse carefully just enough to mix the fruit and wine mixture with the soda Avoid overblending to keep the bubbles intact.

Sift mixture:

Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve to sift out the berry seeds Use a spatula to gently press the mixture through the sieve Discard the seeds for a smoother texture.

Freeze:

Pour the mixture into a nine by thirteen inch freezer-safe dish Spread evenly to allow for consistent freezing. Freeze for at least six hours or overnight The more frozen the mixture the longer the slushie will maintain its texture.

Serve:

After the mixture has frozen through use an ice cream scoop to scrape the mixture into frozen granules and fill four wine glasses Garnish with fresh berries and serve immediately for the best presentation.

My favorite part is the mix of berries the raspberries add just the right hint of tartness to balance the sweetness of the Moscato. Once during a family picnic this was the surprise hit that even the non-wine drinkers enjoyed gladly.

Storage tips

Store any leftover slushie in an airtight container in the freezer. When you want to enjoy it again let it thaw at room temperature for about ten minutes before scraping with a fork or ice cream scoop to loosen the frozen granules. Avoid refreezing repeatedly to keep texture consistent.

Ingredient substitutions

Swap the sweet red wine for semi-sweet or fruity rosé for a different flavor profile but still keep the sweetness balanced Use club soda or lemon-lime soda instead of ginger ale for less spice and a different fizzy twist Substitute any frozen fruit according to seasonality or preference fresh fruit will work if you slightly reduce the amount of ginger ale added to avoid over-liquefying.

Serving suggestions

Serve this slushie in chilled wine glasses garnished with fresh berries or mint leaves for an elegant touch. Pair it with light appetizers like cheese and crackers or fresh salads. For a non-alcoholic version serve the fruit puree topped with ginger ale or sparkling water.

Enjoy this slushie as a versatile, crowd-pleasing drink that adapts beautifully with the seasons and your taste preferences.

FAQs about Recipes

→ What wines work best for this slush?

Sweet red wines like Moscato complement the berries' sweetness and blend smoothly.

→ Can I use fresh berries instead of frozen?

Fresh berries are fine but freezing them helps achieve the desired slushie texture.

→ Why strain the mixture through a sieve?

Straining removes berry seeds for a smoother, more pleasant texture.

→ How long should the mixture freeze?

Freeze at least 6 hours or overnight for best granulated consistency.

→ Can other sodas replace ginger ale?

Ginger ale adds sweetness and fizz, but other mild sparkling sodas can be used cautiously.