Frozen Old Fashioned Slush Recipe

Looking for a cool and creative twist on a classic cocktail? This Frozen Old Fashioned Slush is the answer. It combines all the bold, citrusy flavors of an Old Fashioned with the fun and ease of a make-ahead frozen drink. Perfect for summer parties or holiday gatherings, it’s a crowd-pleaser that’s ready whenever you are.

This Frozen Old Fashioned Slush recipe takes the classic cocktail to a new, and dare I say it, much cooler level. Made with bourbon, this a refreshing and flavorful drink that can be served any time of the year.

Frozen cocktails have a special place in my heart, which is why I’m so excited to share this Frozen Old Fashioned recipe with you. For as long as I can remember, my family has served frozen cocktails during the Christmas season. We called them “slushes.” The one that always comes to mind is a Slow Gin Slush. (Writing that sentence reminds me I should try to get a recipe for that!)

Here in central PA, many of us go “treeing” during the week of Christmas. This entails visiting friends and relatives to see their Christmas trees, play cards, snack, talk, and enjoy time together. More often than not, slushes are on the menu. I obviously did not partake in slushes when I was a kid, but now, as an adult, they’re a beloved holiday treat.

This past Christmas, my dad’s wife made a new slush for us: this Frozen Old Fashioned. It was so good that I thought I’d share the recipe with you today.

So why am I talking about a “holiday” drink with spring and summer approaching? Well, you don’t need to wait until the holiday season to serve this cocktail recipe. I’m sharing it now because it’s also a refreshing libation for the warmer months ahead. As I said earlier, this Frozen Old Fashioned can be enjoyed all year long.

Now that you know my history with slushes, let’s whip up this delectable drink.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It puts a fun and frosty twist on a beloved classic. This slush takes all the rich, citrusy, slightly bitter goodness of an Old Fashioned and transforms it into a frozen treat. It’s familiar yet unexpected, which makes it perfect for entertaining or simply treating yourself to something special.
• You can make it ahead and keep it in the freezer. One of the best parts about this recipe is that it’s ready when you are. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just want a relaxing evening drink, the mix is waiting for you in the freezer—no need to fuss with shaking or stirring in the moment.
• It’s incredibly easy to serve. Just scoop and top with soda. That’s it. There’s no cocktail shaker, no muddling, and no need to play bartender. Add a quick garnish and you’ve got a beautiful drink that feels thoughtful without being fussy.

Ingredients

Before we get into the recipe, let me tell you what you’re going to need to make this delicious slush recipe.

• Water – Used to dissolve the sugar and create the base of the slush, helping everything blend smoothly and freeze to the right consistency.
• Granulated Sugar – Sweetens the slush and balances the bitterness from the bourbon and bitters.
• Bourbon – The heart of the cocktail, bringing in that warm, rich, and slightly smoky flavor that defines an Old Fashioned. Choose a bourbon you enjoy sipping. For this recipe, I’m using Four Roses Bourbon. It’s a favorite at my house. I usually serve Single Barrel, but for this recipe I opted for their standard recipe.
• Frozen Orange Juice Concentrate – Adds bright citrus flavor and a bit of natural sweetness that plays beautifully with the bourbon.
• Cherry Juice – Gives the slush a hint of deep cherry flavor and a touch of color. It also nods to the classic garnish in a traditional Old Fashioned.
• Bitters – Adds that essential aromatic depth and complexity that gives an Old Fashioned its signature edge.
• Lemon-Lime Soda – Used when serving to top off the slush, adding fizz, extra citrusy notes, and just a bit more sweetness.
• Orange Slice and Luxardo Cherries – The classic Old Fashioned garnishes that make each glass feel complete and a little extra special.

How to Make

With the ingredients ready to go, let’s craft this Frozen Old Fashioned Slush! I’ll walk you through the steps here, but you can find a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

1. To create the cocktail mix, add water and sugar to a large saucepan. While stirring, bring the mixture to a boil. Cook until the sugar is dissolved. Then, let the mixture cool completely. (I’ve shared a full ingredient list and recipe instructions in the printable recipe card below.)

2. Next, stir in the bourbon, orange juice concentrate, cherry juice, and bitters. Pour this mixture into a freezer-safe baking dish that will hold at least 3 quarts. Freeze for 10-12 hours or overnight. If possible, stir the mixture with a fork once or twice while it freezes.

3. Once your mixture is a nicely frozen slush, it’s ready to serve. To serve, place about 3/4 cup of the Old Fashioned mixture in a glass. Top with about 1/4 cup lemon-lime soda. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

Cheers!! This cocktail is so delicious! If you want to make it a bit stronger, feel free to add another splash of bourbon.

A batch of this Frozen Old Fashioned Slush is the perfect way to serve drinks with zero fuss. Prep it ahead of time, freeze it overnight, and scoop out slushy servings that taste just like the cocktail you love.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can I store the slush in the freezer?

The slush will keep well in the freezer for about two to three months. Just make sure it’s stored in an airtight, freezer-safe container to prevent any off flavors from developing.

Can I use regular maraschino cherries or cherry juice instead of Luxardo?

Yes, you can! While Luxardo cherries and their syrup add a rich, complex flavor, classic maraschino cherries will still work just fine. The drink will be still delicious and totally enjoyable.

What kind of dish should I freeze this in?

A large, freezer-safe baking dish or container with a lid works best. A 9×13-inch pan is perfect if you plan to serve a crowd, and using a dish with a wide surface area helps the mixture freeze evenly.

Can I use a different type of alcohol instead of bourbon?

Yes, you can! While bourbon is traditional for an Old Fashioned and gives this slush its signature flavor, you could swap in whiskey or rye if that’s what you prefer. Just note that each will bring its own unique flavor profile.

More Bourbon Cocktails You’ll Love

• Maple Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail
• Pumpkin Old Fashioned 
• Cranberry Old Fashioned
• Cranberry Bourbon Cocktail

I hope this Frozen Old Fashioned Slush brings a little joy to your next celebration or cozy night in. It’s one of those recipes that’s simple to throw together, but always gets people talking.

I love that you can make a batch, tuck it in the freezer, and be ready to pour a drink that feels thoughtful without a lot of effort. If you give this recipe a try, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below. 

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Frozen Old Fashioned Slush Recipe

This Frozen Old Fashioned Slush recipe takes the classic cocktail to a new, and dare I say it, much cooler level. Made with bourbon, this a refreshing and flavorful slush recupe that can be served any time of the year.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: bourbon, old fashioned, slush, slush recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Chilling Time: 8 hours hours

Total Time: 8 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 12

Calories: 159kcal

Ingredients

• 6 cups water
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 cups bourbon (My favorite is Four Roses.)
• 12 ounces (one can) frozen orange juice concentrate thaweed
• 2 tablespoons Luxardo cherry juice*
• 1/4 cup bitters

For serving:

• Lemon-lime soda (1/4 cup per serving)
• Orange slice and Luxardo cherries*

Instructions

• Start by adding the water and sugar to a large saucepan. Stir continuously and bring to a boil. Cook until the sugar is dissolved. This will take about five minutes. Allow to cool completely.
• Next, stir in the bourbon, orange juice concentrate, cherry juice, and bitters. Pour this mixture into a freezer-safe baking dish that will hold at least 3 quarts. Freeze for 10-12 hours or overnight. If possible, stir the mixture with a fork once or twice during the freezing process.
• To serve, place about 3/4 cup of the Old Fashioned mixture in a glass. Top with about 1/4 cup lemon-lime soda. Garnish with an orange slice and a cherry.

Notes

For this recipe, I used Luxardo Cherries. These can be a bit expensive. If you prefer, you can substitute maraschino cherries. For the substitution, use 1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice in place of the 2 tablespoons Luxardo cherry juice.

Nutrition

Calories: 159kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 107IU | Vitamin C: 39mg | Calcium: 14mg | Iron: 1mg

Recipe adapted from Taste of Home