Frozen Drink Gift Guide
Holiday gift ideas for the friend who orders anything blended: blenders that turn ice to snow, a slushie machine that needs no ice at all, plus the glasses, syrups and small bar tools that make every frozen drink better.
About these picks: we only link products whose Amazon listing we've opened and matched by name and model. We don't print prices or star ratings because both move constantly in gift season, so each link simply says check current price. Specs mentioned come from the product listing itself. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Blender or slush machine?
- Pick a blender if they like variety: margaritas tonight, a fruit smoothie tomorrow, a boozy milkshake on Friday. Every recipe here is written for one.
- Pick a slush machine if they entertain: fill it before guests arrive and it keeps a single flavor frozen for hours. Recipes need tweaking (swap the ice for cold water or juice), which we explain on each recipe page.
- Already have both? Jump to glasses and small gifts.
Blenders that can handle ice
The blender is the gift that every recipe on this site depends on. Both picks below crush ice according to their makers; one is a sensible everyday workhorse, the other is a long-term splurge.
- Ninja Professional Blender BL610 (72 oz pitcher): Ninja's 1,000-watt countertop model with a 72 oz pitcher (64 oz of liquid, per the listing). Plenty of room for a four-drink batch of daiquiris, and the pitcher goes in the dishwasher.
Good for: Someone still fighting an old blender that leaves ice chunks behind.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link) - Vitamix 5200 blender (64 oz container, black): A 64 oz container, a variable-speed dial and a tamper for pushing thick frozen fruit into the blades. The listing quotes a 7-year limited warranty.
Good for: The cook who blends daily and wants one machine to last.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link)
Slushie & frozen drink machines
A slush machine works differently from a blender: you pour in a cold liquid and it freezes and churns the mix into slush while you wait. No ice, so nothing gets watered down.
- Ninja SLUSHi FS301 frozen drink maker: The Ninja SLUSHi FS301 has an 88 oz vessel and five preset programs, per its Amazon listing. Expect up to an hour per batch, and note the listing's warning that the mix needs sugar (or a recommended substitute) to slush.
Good for: Hosts who want a self-serve frozen drink waiting all afternoon.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link)
Mixers & syrups
Tuck a bottle or two in with an appliance so the first round can happen right away.
- Coco López Cream of Coconut: Thick, sweet cream of coconut for coladas, painkillers and Lava Flows.
Good for: Tiki and beach-drink lovers.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link) - Monin Pure Cane Syrup: Ready-made simple syrup. Our recipes use it constantly, so it saves a pot on the stove.
Good for: Anyone who mixes drinks from scratch.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link) - Monin blue curaçao syrup (non-alcoholic): Alcohol-free blue curaçao flavor for Blue Hawaiians and bright kid-friendly slushes.
Good for: Families making drinks for every age.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link) - Rose's Grenadine: The red layer in a tequila sunrise and the cherry in a Shirley Temple slush.
Good for: Stocking stuffer for the home bar.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link) - Nellie & Joe's bottled Key lime juice: A shortcut for margaritas and daiquiris on nights you run out of fresh limes.
Good for: The margarita regular.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link)
Glasses
Frozen drinks look best in a glass with a bit of drama and enough room for garnish.
- JoyJolt 17 oz colada glasses, set of 4: Four tall, curvy 17 oz glasses: ideal for coladas and tropical slushes.
Good for: Pool-party and patio hosts.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link) - Libbey hurricane glasses, set of 6: Classic hurricane shape, sold as a set of six.
Good for: Rum-drink fans.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link) - Libbey stemless margarita glasses, set of 6: Stemless margarita glasses that sit low and sturdy on an outdoor table.
Good for: Anyone with clumsy guests.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link) - Libbey Cancun margarita glasses and pitcher set: Six margarita glasses with a matching pitcher. Serving a full blender batch is easy.
Good for: A housewarming or engagement gift.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link)
Bar accessories & small gifts
Small extras that get used every single time.
- OXO Steel Angled Measuring Jigger: Measuring markings you can read from above, so pours stay accurate. Too much booze is the top reason a frozen drink turns to soup.
Good for: Every home bartender, beginner or not.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link) - Stirrings salt & sugar drink rimmer tins: Salt and sugar rimming tins for margaritas, lemon drops and daiquiris.
Good for: A quick add-on to any gift.
Check current price on Amazon (paid link)
Make it a kit
- Colada kit: cream of coconut and colada glasses, with our piña colada and Lava Flow written on a card.
- Margarita kit: Key lime juice, a rimmer and stemless glasses, plus the classic frozen margarita recipe.
- All-ages kit: blue curaçao syrup, grenadine and our mocktails and kid-friendly slushes.
- Winter kit: a jigger and a recipe card for frozen hot chocolate or the mudslide.
Recipes to try with a new blender
Mocktails & Kid-FriendlyFrozen Hot Chocolate
Boozy ShakesFrozen Mudslide
Coladas & TropicalFrozen Piña Colada
Frozen DaiquirisFrozen Strawberry Daiquiri
Frozen MargaritasClassic Frozen Margarita
Mocktails & Kid-FriendlyShirley Temple Slush
Boozy ShakesFrozen Grasshopper
Frosé, Wine & Beer SlushesFrosé (Frozen Rosé)
See all 96 recipes · More gear advice
Gift guide FAQ
Can a regular blender make good frozen drinks?
Yes. Look for one sold for crushing ice, add the liquids first, and pulse before blending. About 1½ cups of ice for each 3 ounces of liquid is the ratio our recipes use.
Do slushie machines need ice?
Machines like the SLUSHi freeze the liquid themselves, so no ice goes in. They do need sugar in the mix to reach a slushy texture, according to the listing.
Why don't you list prices?
Prices change daily during the holidays, and an outdated price is worse than none. Each "check current price" link opens the live Amazon page.
Please enjoy responsibly. Alcoholic recipes are for adults of legal drinking age.