Frozen Drink Gear

Power: 1,000 watts or more handles ice and frozen fruit without stalling.
Jar size: 48–64 oz fits a batch of four drinks.
Tamper: helpful for thick, fruit-heavy drinks and boozy shakes.
Pulse button: lets you crack ice before the full blend.

You don't need anything fancy to make a great frozen drink, but the right blender and a jigger make it a lot easier. Here's what to look for.

Blenders

High-powered blenders (paid link)
A 1,000-watt-plus blender crushes ice and frozen fruit smoothly without extra liquid. Look for a tamper and a 64 oz jar.
Personal & single-serve blenders (paid link)
Good for one or two drinks; pick a model rated for crushing ice.

Frozen drink makers (ice shaver + blender) (paid link)
These shave ice into the jar before blending, which gives the smoothest restaurant-style texture.
Home slush & slushie machines (paid link)
Freeze a pre-mixed batch into a self-serve slush. Great for parties; the recipes here work if you swap the ice for cold water.

Libbey stemless margarita glasses, set of 6 (paid link)
Sturdy, dishwasher-safe glasses that won't tip over at a pool party.
Libbey hurricane glasses, set of 6 (paid link)
The classic curvy glass for coladas, rum runners and Lava Flows.

OXO Steel Angled Measuring Jigger (paid link)
Accurate pours are the difference between a slush and soup. The angled markings read from above.
Stirrings salt & sugar drink rimmer tins (paid link)
Ready-made salt and sugar rims for margaritas, lemon drops and daiquiris.
Silicone ice cube trays with lids (paid link)
For freezing wine, juice and coffee cubes so your drinks don't water down.
Wide reusable smoothie straws (paid link)
Thick frozen drinks need wide straws.