When the dog days of summer have arrived, there’s nothing like a slushy cocktail to cool you off right away.
This iced tea whiskey slush recipe brings that good ol’ front porch relaxation vibe with its flavors of sweet iced tea and lemon, with just a little added kick for good measure.
With just a few flavorful ingredients, you can whip up this frozen drink whenever the mood hits. It’s sweet and tangy and full of flavor all at the same time.
Try this Piña Colada with coconut rum for more frozen goodness.
You’ll want a tall glass of this in hand for those hot summer days. While you're making cocktails, try this raspberry mojito, this spiked peach Arnold Palmer.
Need more choices? I'm sure you'll find something you love on this list of cocktails on the rocks or this list of vodka cocktails.
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Why This Recipe Works
The highlight of this recipe is the Bird Dog flavored type of whiskey. This company makes a variety of flavored whiskeys, and so there are a lot of different ways you can experiment.
The praline-flavored whiskey works great for this recipe because it has the rich flavors of pecan and brown sugar that add a unique twist to the iced tea.
Even though there’s a bit of chilling time required, this iced tea whiskey slush recipe is still quick and easy to make. It goes down smooth and cools you off right away.
Unlike some other frozen drinks that may be over-the-top sweet, bourbon slushies can be made without excessive sweetness. A little squeeze of lemon provides acidity that also helps keep the sweetness in check.
📋 What Goes Into This Recipe
There are only a few ingredients needed for this bourbon whiskey slush recipe. Here are the key ones you need to know.
Key Ingredients
1. Bird Dog Praline Flavored Whiskey. Bird Dog Whiskey is an award-winning producer of Kentucky bourbon whiskey. They make a ton of amazing flavors, like black cherry, peach, jalapeno honey, and more. For this recipe, the praline flavor is simply divine in this whiskey slush recipe with tea.
2. Homemade Iced Tea. Any black tea works well for this recipe. You can make your favorite iced tea or purchase iced tea from your grocery store. Just don’t use the powdered stuff. It would be an insult to the delicious whiskey!
3. Lemon. The recipe only calls for a tiny bit of lemon, but you’ll notice it missing if you don’t add it. The acidity of the lemon juice cuts some of the sweetness, giving this recipe a perfect balance of flavors.
See recipe card for quantities and full directions.
Equipment
I love this teapot with an infuser for loose tea. We love this Cocktail Shaker set. Other than that, you'll just need measuring cups and a spoon for stirring.
How to Make this Whiskey Slush
Boil water in a kettle.
Steep tea bags in 2 cups hot water for 15 minutes. You’ll want a strong tea for this recipe. Try this black tea.
Add white sugar while tea is warm so it dissolves.
Squeeze juice from ¼ lemon into tea.
Chill for 15-30 minutes.
Add 3 ounces Bird Dog Praline Flavored Whiskey.
Pour cool tea and whiskey mixture into blender with 2 cups ice.
Blend until it is a slushy consistency.
Pour into 2 serving glasses.
Garnish with lemon wedges and sprig of fresh mint.
📖 Variations
Arnold Palmer Whiskey Slush For that classic blend of tea and lemon, omit the sugar and replace half of the tea with lemonade.
Whiskey Sour Slush Are you a fan of whiskey sours? Replace the tea with lemon-lime soda and add half a can each of frozen orange juice concentrate and frozen lemonade concentrate. Use a plain whiskey instead of a flavored one. Garnish with orange slices.
Frozen Mint Julep Slush It doesn’t get easier than this. Simply blend ice, bourbon, fresh mint leaves, and ⅓ c. of simple syrup. The cool and refreshing flavor of this frozen cocktail is welcome even if it isn’t Derby Day!
Cherry Cola Bourbon Slush Replace the tea with cherry cola. Add a cup of juice from maraschino cherries. And for even more cherry flavor, use the Bird Dog Black Cherry Flavored Whiskey.
Apple Cider Bourbon Slush Replace the tea with apple cider and use cinnamon whiskey. Add a splash of vanilla-flavored syrup for a rich flavor.
FAQs
Because alcohol has a lower freezing point than other drinks, it does not tend to freeze in a normal household freezer. Any alcohol that is 50 proof or higher will not freeze, which means it will not freeze solid in your kitchen freezer.
Although it can be put into the freezer and retain its slushy form, this drink is better prepared without freezing the whiskey. Freezing the whiskey can cause some of its volatile flavors to vaporize, which means that your drink won’t taste as good.
Instead of using regular ice cubes, make ice cubes from iced tea. This will help your slush not to get watered down as the ice melts.
💭 Top Tips
If you plan to use regular ice cubes and don’t want your drink watered down, make the tea stronger than you normally would.
Don’t use a powdered instant iced tea mix for this drink. You’re using amazing whiskey, and so you don’t want to ruin the drink with an artificial-tasting tea mix.
Toss in some fruit or different juices for unique blends of fruit flavor. Peaches and berries work especially well, and they can be added fresh or frozen before you blend the slush or added afterward for visual appeal.
More Delicious Cocktails
Iced Tea Whiskey Slush Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- Loose tea or tea bags for 2 cups of tea
- 4 teaspoon Sugar
- 1 T Lemon juice
- 3 ounces Bird Dog Praline Flavored Whiskey
- 2 sprigs Mint
Instructions
- Boil water in a kettle.
- Steep tea bags in 2 cups hot water for 15 minutes. You’ll want a strong tea for this recipe.
- Add white sugar while tea is warm so it dissolves.
- Squeeze juice from ¼ lemon into tea. (About 1 tablespoon)
- Chill for 15-30 minutes.
- Add 3 ounces Bird Dog Praline Flavored Whiskey.
- Pour cool tea and whiskey mixture into blender with 2 cups ice.
- Blend until it is a slushy consistency.
- Pour into 2 serving glasses.
- Garnish with lemon wedges and sprig of fresh mint.
Notes
Don’t use a powdered instant iced tea mix for this drink. You’re using amazing whiskey, and so you don’t want to ruin the drink with an artificial-tasting tea mix.
Toss in some fruit or different juices for unique blends of fruit flavor. Peaches and berries work especially well, and they can be added fresh or frozen before you blend the slush or added afterward for visual appeal.
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