Summer Slushies!

image from here

If you know me, you'll know that I LOVE a good slushie. I simply cannot pass up any slushie, slurpee, or Icee drink. I look my diabetes in its evil eye and say, "SO WHAT?" I crave them all summer and buy them wherever we go. And then the kids each want their own, and well, it's a slippery slope downhill from there.... Consequently, I flush a lot of money down the toilet every summer. Well not anymore!

I am officially in heaven. And I will share my little piece of heaven with you.

First up: did you know you can make your own syrups to flavor your drinks? (Neither did I!!!!) They're not too hard to find in stores, but why pay $3-4 a bottle when you can do it at home for PENNIES! Here's how:

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1 cup sugar

1 Kool-aid packet of your flavor choice

Boil the water, then add the sugar. Stir to dissolve completely and let it boil for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat, and stir in the Kool-aid mix. That's it - you're done! Let this cool, then keep it in the fridge for MANY, MANY times of use! (This is probably obvious, but I'll point it out regardless: don't forget to make your syrup well ahead of time so it can chill. No one wants warm syrup melting all the ice in their drink!)

I like to keep mine in these nifty condiment dispenser bottles that are found in grocery stores. Anything with a pop-up sports top would work too. Heck, just go ahead and pour it on with whatever, just be sparing. You don't need as much as you think.

Next up: You need to shave some ice, ice, baby! For Christmas, my fabulous husband got me this splendid contraption called "The Ninja." I cannot say enough how much I LOVE it. It's all your favorite aspects of a blender and food processor together in one. Go get one today, you will thank me later. (They are not paying me to say this.) It shaves regular ice cubes down into fluffy snow in 30 seconds. Albeit loud as a freight train, but fast and fluffy my friends!

Don't have The Ninja? Use your regular blender. Some low-end models will do good enough, but your ice may be a little coarser (like a traditional snow-cone) with some big chunks here and there. Is it OK to crush ice in a food processor? I don't really know... someone will have to chime in on this one. Anyway, crush up your ice cubes, fill up your cups, and pour some flavor on top!

Variations: We like to mix 1/2 cherry and 1/2 lime for cherry-limeaids, and put maraschino cherries on top! I also LOVE fresh strawberries and mango ground up with a little ice, then pour 7-up over the top. HELLO!?!? The possibilities are endless.

Happy slurping!