Last weekend, I went to a holiday party where the host served softly frozen, luxuriously creamy espresso martinis. True to style as a Kitchen Appliances Editor, I immediately started questioning the process.
The host gestured casually towards the kitchen and revealed the Ninja Slushi, now $269.99 at SharkNinja.
I assumed this perfect frozen drink had come from one of the best blenders, like a Vitamix, but I hadn't heard any loud grinding and crushing of ice. No cocktail shakers, enormous ice buckets, or a stressed-out host darting back and forth. The Ninja Slushi was sitting on the counter, quietly churning out glass after glass of perfectly textured cocktails, each one as good as the last.
What sets the Ninja Slushi apart from bog-standard slushie makers – and why it earns a place among the best Ninja products and even threatens the products in my best ice cream maker guide – is how precisely it controls temperature and texture.
Using RapidChill technology (you don't need to fuss around with ice trays), the Ninja Slushi can chill your drink to any frozen state, whether you want a thick scoopable dessert or a softly frosted cocktail.
The frappé martini I tried was just delicious. The flavor stayed rich, with none of the watery, ice dilution that can plague a dodgy blender recipe. I assume the coffee was made with one of the best espresso makers, too. I had no notes (although I would be keen to try it with a swirl of whipped cream and chocolate shavings; that would be a welcome edition to my Christmas Day menu).
From a hosting perspective, the Ninja Slushi is a great home bar idea, as it does the hard work (quietly) in the background, allowing the host to remain present. It's an effortless way to host a cocktail party. Drinks are poured rather than performed – but they are still exciting and fun.
The scope for recipe ideas is endless. On the Ninja Instagram page, there's a gorgeous frozen cocoa recipe, spiked with Bailey's Irish Cream and served in glass mason mugs, like these from Amazon.
Of course, when the weather warms up, the Ninja Slushi will come into its own summer cocktail recipes, like frozen margaritas or frozen rosé
Festive Frozen Drink Essentials
These hardworking cocktail gadgets and gizmos create effortless holiday drinks, so you can focus on handing out platters of canapes.
Famous for making ice cream and gelato, this machine can make the creamiest frappuccinos, too. You just need to prep the blends 24 hours in advance. Read more in our full review.
You can't go wrong with these classic glasses for cocktail hour. They'll come in handy for all types of martinis, however you and your guests like them served.
Crafted from stainless steel and glass, this coffee maker sits in the refrigerator and features a convenient tap for pouring cold brew, iced tea blends, or fruit water directly into a glass. You can read more in our full KitchenAid Cold Brew review.
The rich espresso tones on this ribbed coupe glass are so chic; nobody will ever guess that you bulk-bought them at Target for $8 a pop.
An elegant, easy way to elevate your espresso martinis? Simple syrup. This set includes Miso Salted Caramel, Madagascar Vanilla Bean, and French Lavender Madeleine – it makes a beautiful gift, too.
If you're batch-serving cocktails, your guests will want to keep hold of their glasses. These adorable charms from Anthropologie are the perfect way to ensure that.
If you're someone who likes fun frozen drinks, hosting cocktail hour, or experimenting in the kitchen, I think the Ninja Slushi is worth the investment. Otherwise, you may want to stick to a simple cocktail shaker - a more classic, luxe cocktail essential – and save the dollars.
