Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (2024)

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This Brandy Slush recipe combines tea, orange juice, lemonade, and brandy. A classic Wisconsin cocktail perfect for any holiday or celebration!

Living in Wisconsin, I can tell you, brandy slush is a regular guest during the holiday season. From Thanksgiving through Christmas and even Easter, this drink always makes an appearance. It’s a classic midwestern cocktail that’s just part of the tradition here.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (1)

Brandy Slush is this frozen boozy cocktail whipped up in an ice cream pail. Yep, you heard that right—an ice cream pail! It’s just the Wisconsin way to make this slush recipe. The pail’s size fits everything perfectly and even comes with a handle for easy carrying. Talk about top-notch recycling!

Sipping on a brandy slush floods my mind with memories. I mean, I can’t think of a Christmas Eve as an adult without a serving of slush. Honestly, it’s one of my go-to cocktails. Can’t wait for you to give this brandy slush recipe a whirl at your next special get-together!

Ingredients

  • 9cupswater, divided
  • 2cupssugar
  • 6teabags
  • 12ounceslemonade concentrate
  • 12ouncesorange juice concentrate
  • 2cupsbrandy
Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (2)

Table of Contents

How To Make Our Brandy Slush Recipe

Step 1: Make the tea.

Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Place 6 teabags in the water and steep for 3-5 minutes. Allow to cool.

You can use green or black tea for brandy slush. You could even do 3 tea bags of green and 3 tea bags of black tea.

Step 2: Make simple syrup.

Add sugar and 7 cups of water to a large pot. Bring to a boil and let boil for 1 minute. Allow the simple syrup to cool.

PRO TIP: Use this simple syrup recipe any time you are making a cocktail or mocktail.

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Step 3: Combine the ingredients.

In a clean, empty ice cream pail, add:

  • simple syrup
  • tea
  • lemonade concentrate
  • orange juice concentrate
  • brandy

Stir and then cover with the ice cream pail lid.

MIX IT UP: I used 2 cups of brandy for this recipe. However, adjust to your tolerance by reducing to 1 cup or increasing to 3-4 cups of brandy.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (4)

Step 4: Freeze.

Allow the brandy slush to freeze for 24-48 hours. Remember that the slush won’t freeze solid due to the alcohol content.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (5)

Step 5: Serve.

To serve, scoop the brandy slush into a glass leaving room to add soda. Top with Sprite, 7-up, or 50/50.

I have even made my Homemade Lemon Lime Soda recipe to add to this slush. It is a great way to cut back on sugar while keeping the flavor of the soda. Plus, my kids enjoy drinking the leftover lemon-lime soda!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Alcohol Content:

Take care with the amount of brandy used. You can adjust the quantity to suit your preference for a stronger or milder alcoholic taste.

Presentation:

Use decorative glasses or cups to serve the slush. Brandy slush is always served with a drink straw.

Labeling and Date:

Label the container with the date of preparation to keep track of its freshness, especially if you plan to store it for an extended period. This will help ensure you’re serving the slush within its optimal timeframe.

Party Preparation:

Consider making a double batch for larger gatherings. This recipe is excellent for parties as it can be prepared well in advance, allowing you more time to focus on other aspects of hosting.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (6)

FAQ

What is the best Brandy to use for Brandy slush?

Feel free to use whatever brand of brandy you’d like. While a good quality brandy is always preferred, this slush has lots of other flavors to blend with that any brandy works just fine.

Can I store brandy slush?

Yes! Brandy slush keeps well in the freezer year-round. Enjoy it around the holidays or during the summer months. It is a great poolside treat! I recommend labeling the ice cream pail if you have kids at home.

What if I don’t have an ice cream pail?

If eating the ice cream from the pail isn’t an option then you can use a freezer-safe container with a lid.

Is Brandy Gluten-free?

Yes, pure, distilled brandy, is considered gluten-free. Brandy is made by distilling wine, grapes, or other fruit. Always watch out for hidden gluten in cognacs that add flavorings or other additives after distillation. There is also a risk for gluten cross-contact in facilities that process products containing wheat, barley, or rye.
Common Brands of Brandy:
Old Admiral
Dreher
Emperador
Paul Masson Grande Amber
Torres
Old Kenigsberg

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (7)

Storage Instructions

After preparing the brandy slush mixture, pour it into a clean, airtight container, ensuring there’s some headspace to allow for expansion as it freezes. Seal the container tightly to prevent freezer odors from affecting the flavor. Label the container with the date of preparation. Place the sealed container in the coldest part of your freezer, preferably in the back where temperatures are more consistent. To maintain the slush’s optimal taste and texture, avoid frequent thawing and refreezing. When serving, scoop the slush into glasses and return the remaining mixture promptly to the freezer for storage.

More Holiday Cocktail Recipes:

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (8)

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Brandy Slush Recipe (Wisconsin Version)

Brandy Slush is a Midwestern holiday staple – made with Brandy, lemonade and orange juice concentrates, tea, simple syrup frozen into an alcoholic slush recipe that gets topped with a touch of soda.

Pin RecipePrint Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Total Time 2 days d 20 minutes mins

Servings 20 servings

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 9 cups water, divided
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 6 teabags
  • 12 ounces lemonade concentrate
  • 12 ounces orange juice concentrate
  • 2 cups brandy

Instructions

  • Make the tea. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Place 6 teabag in the water and steep. Allow to cool.

    6 teabags, 9 cups water, divided

  • Make simple syrup. Add sugar to a large pot. Add 7 cups of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute. Cool.

    2 cups sugar, 9 cups water, divided

  • Combine the ingredients. In a clean, empty ice cream pail, add simple syrup, tea, lemonade concentrate, orange juice concentrate, and brandy. Stir then cover.

    12 ounces lemonade concentrate, 12 ounces orange juice concentrate, 2 cups brandy

  • Freeze. Allow the slush to freeze for 24-48 hours. It won't freeze solid due to the alcohol.

  • Serve. To serve, scoop slush into a glass leaving room to add soda. Top with Sprite, 7-up, or 50/50. Serve with a drink straw.

Video

Notes

Pure, distilled brandy, is considered gluten-free. Always lookout for hidden gluten in cognacs that add flavorings or other additives after distillation. There is also a risk for gluten cross-contact in facilities that process products containing wheat, barley, or rye.

CCK Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

Nutrition

Calories: 193kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 64IU | Vitamin C: 26mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

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Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!

Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Why does Wisconsin drink brandy? ›

Brandy's popularity in Wisconsin started when a large number of German immigrants moved here in the 19th century and couldn't find their favorite drink, brandewijn. This prompted Korbel to start distilling for the public in 1889. Small-batch local distilleries produce – or have produced – brandy, too.

How to make alcoholic slushies without a blender? ›

Pour the drink into a sealable plastic bag, pushing out as much of the air as you can. Seal the bag and lay it flat in the freezer. Wait at least three hours or until the drink has frozen. Squish the contents of the bag and pour into salt-rimmed glasses.

How to make slush with fizzy drink? ›

Measure out the ice in the glass you intend on serving it in by filling that glass. Pour ice, 3 tbsp of simple syrup and 150ml of your favourite fizzy drink into a blender. Blend until you have a slushie consistency.

How to make a slushie in the freezer? ›

As an alternative, just get your favorite drink or beverage; put it in the freezer for 2 hours, after 2 hours, slowly take the cold drink or beverage, and give it a little strong tap on the side. If your drink or beverage is in a bottle, just tilt it up and down for at least 5 seconds; there is your slushie!

What is the most popular brandy in Wisconsin? ›

It may surprise some to learn that the Badger State consumes more brandy than anywhere else in the United States. In 2019, Wisconsinites accounted for more than half of the worldwide sales of Korbel brandy.

What is the official cocktail of Wisconsin? ›

Lawmakers in Wisconsin have passed a resolution declaring the state's official cocktail: the brandy old fashioned.

What are alcoholic slushies called? ›

A frozen, also called an alcoholic slushy, is a type of slushy made with alcohol. The alcoholic and non-alcoholic ingredients are processed in a blender to create a slush texture. Frozen alcoholic drink. A frozen daiquiri bar in Louisiana. Type.

Why do you put salt in slushies? ›

The science behind this delicious treat is that when you add the salt to the ice, it lowers the freezing point of the water in the bag, so the bag of ice stays colder longer than plain ice. Instead of your ice melting when you shake it around, it stays frozen long enough to freeze your juice – creating your slushie!

Why do slushies need sugar? ›

To prevent the mixture from freezing solid, there must be 12–22% of sugar present in the solution. The sugar acts as an antifreeze in the solution. The slush machine stirs or rotates the mixture at a constant speed so that the sugar and water molecules bond together before the water gets a chance to freeze.

How long to freeze soda for slush? ›

To get this effect, I shook up 4 bottles of 500mL (16.9 oz) soda in a freezer set at -24ºC (-11ºF) between 3:15- 4:00 hours. The longer they are in, the more dramatic and solid the slushy freeze will be. However, anytime after 3:15 hours there is a chance of them freezing before you take them out.

Why is my slush not freezing? ›

Slush machine not freezing or producing slush:

Ensure that the power supply is functioning properly. Verify that the mix is at the correct temperature and consistency. Clean the condenser to improve cooling efficiency.

How long does alcohol slush take to freeze? ›

Directions to make in the freezer:

Mix the wine and the daiquiri mix together and freeze for 4-5 hours. It will be the consistency of a slushy when you stir it up. If freezing for longer, you'll need to let it thaw for 20-30 minutes before you can drink it. Stir and enjoy!

What alcohol is Wisconsin known for? ›

Did you know Wisconsin consumes the most brandy per capita in the country? Part of the reason is due to our official state cocktail, the Brandy Old Fashioned. It's the Old Fashioned cocktail you know and love, with brandy in place of whiskey.

Why is Wisconsin such heavy drinkers? ›

One common theory about why Wisconsin's drinking culture is so extreme is linked to the state's German heritage. About 43 percent of the state's population claims German roots, which explains Wisconsin's drinking culture — so the theory goes — since medieval Germans are the ones who invented hopped beer.

What state is top brandy drinking? ›

Wisconsin drinks more brandy than any other state, and most of our brandy consumption goes into the Wisconsin old fashioned – a muddle of sugar, bitters, orange and maraschino cherries topped with brandy and then sweet or sour soda and a bevy of garnishes.

What percentage of brandy is consumed by Wisconsin? ›

OnMilwaukee's Molly Snyder confirms what a lot of people have always wondered: Wisconsinites consume more than half the world's brandy, according to Korbel. According to the California brandy maker, 275,000 cases of Korbel Brandy were sold around the world in 2019. Over 150,000 of those cases were sold in Wisconsin.

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