Ninja Slushi evaluate: Simply how badly would you like little treats on demand?

Desk of Contents

The quintessential little deal with is subjective. Some will say iced espresso, others will argue ice cream.

However we will all in all probability agree that most of the largest little treats of all of them are the elusive ones — those that are not accessible at your fingertips year-round, or those that may’t precisely be introduced house and saved for a later time. Think about the Shamrock Shake or the $16 frosé that one bar solely has in the summertime.

After the success of the ice cream and different frozen dessert-making Creami, Ninja is exploring the frozen drink aspect of little deal with tradition. The Ninja Slushi is knowledgeable frozen drink maker that has offered out greater than as soon as since its debut in July 2024. The Slushi shouldn’t be solely a vessel for making a do-it-yourself Slurpee with out leaving the home however can be a possibility to treat-ify mundane drinks, like a morning protein shake or afternoon pre-workout electrolyte combine. A slushy in hand simply appears like an applicable accent to brat summer season.

TikTok, a large group of little deal with enablers, naturally ate this shit up. I needed to get my fingers on one, too.

How does the Ninja Slushi work?

Although they each can in the end whip up frozen drinks, the Ninja Slushi is way completely different than a blender as a result of the Slushi does not require ice.

Fairly, the Slushi achieves that chef’s kiss chilled consistency by way of Ninja’s RapidChill Know-how, which includes an auger spinning round a cooling cylinder. This method can take room temperature substances from liquid to, nicely, slushy, in below an hour (give or take a couple of minutes, relying on the alcohol and sugar content material, in addition to the dimensions of the batch).

And even when you can obtain that with a blender, it is ephemeral; frozen margs go to melted margs in a matter of minutes after they’re simply hanging out in a blender pitcher. The Slushi, nevertheless, retains drinks frozen. As soon as it hits optimum temperature for the recipe in query, the Slushi beeps and switches from a blinking mild to a gradual mild, however continues spinning and cooling, conserving your recipe completely slushied for as much as 12 hours. Simply thoughts the condensation.

What are you able to make within the Ninja Slushi?

Formally, there are buttons on the entrance for slush, spiked slush, frappé, milkshake, and frozen juice. I hesitate to say which you could make actually any frozen drink that pops into your mind, but it surely principally appears like that. And when you hatched the concept for one thing however aren’t positive of the precise substances, somebody has in all probability already tried to make it on TikTok.

Ingredients for frosé and Ninja recipe book beside Ninja Slushi machine on countertop

Simply open the hatch and pour ’em, no have to stir.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Ninja Slushi machine dispensing pink frosé into glass sitting underneath

In case your drink comes out too thick or too melty, you’ll be able to alter the temperature with arrow buttons.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable

My first endeavor was frosé following the precise recipe within the Ninja booklet: actually simply rosé, juice, and a little bit bit of easy syrup. It was really easy, so fast, and so rattling good — identical to the overpriced ones on the bar.

Different enjoyable experiments included Slushi’d White Claws plus easy syrup (which turned out to style extremely bland and decarbonated after being frozen), a humble can of Pepsi to play out my roommate’s dream of an on-demand cola slushy, a blueberry vanilla protein milkshake I noticed on TikTok, and a slushy model of my pre-workout electrolyte powder drink. Previous this week of testing, I may completely see the Slushi getting weekly use in my family.

Glass of frozen spiked seltzer on countertop with Ninja Slushi machine and White Claw cans in background

As knowledgeable Black Cherry White Claw enjoyer, you recognize I needed to.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Bluberry milkshake with container of strawberries, protein powder, and Ninja Slushi in background

Making an attempt to make a small batch on this factor is nearly inconceivable.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable

When making an attempt frappé mode, I noticed that I am personally type of turned off by the concept of espresso in that thick consistency. After the primary batch was finished however I nonetheless hadn’t emptied something, I simply added extra almond milk and a few chocolate protein powder to show it right into a café mocha milkshake.

The Slushi must be cleaned after each use to stop sticky, rotted residue buildup. After utilizing the rinse cycle button on the machine itself, there are 4 tremendous fundamental components to disassemble and wash — both by hand or within the dishwasher if there’s room. After coping with the removable components, wipe down the steel base and inside of the machine, after which click on the components again on.

Ninja Slushi machine disassembled into four pieces on drying mat after being washed

Slushi upkeep is a little bit tedious when you’re utilizing it typically, however tremendous straightforward.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Ninja Slushi vs. Ninja Creami

Earlier than there was the Slushi, there was the Creami. Ninja’s 7-in-1 ice cream maker blew up on TikTok when it first got here out in 2021 — doubtless the factor that tipped Ninja off to how profitable the Little Deal with Pattern could possibly be.

Ninja Slushi and Ninja Creami appliances sitting on countertop beside stove

The Slushi and Creami are roughly the identical peak, however the Slushi is heavier.
Credit score: Leah Stodart / Mashable

Whereas many drinks with that solid-but-not-solid consistency may be made in each machines, the principle distinction between the 2 lies in preparation. The Creami can solely begin with strong bases that you simply freeze for twenty-four hours forward of time, whereas the Slushi can solely begin with liquids. These liquids do not have to start out frozen, giving the Slushi the leg up on the subject of spontaneity.

Downsides: What cannot the Ninja Slushi do?

A profitable slush is determined by a couple of principal ingredient elements, one in all them being sugar. Although I sometimes like to trash directions earlier than studying a single phrase, I’ll say that the Slushi booklet is one that you will undoubtedly really have to learn. Any Slushi recipe wants a sure ratio of sugar to coagulate — if there’s not sufficient within the substances you’ve got dumped in, the machine will beep at you and cease shifting.

On the flip aspect, a stoppage additionally happens if the Slushi senses that the alcohol content material is simply too excessive in comparison with the opposite substances. In any case, the lights on the entrance will flash in a approach that coincides with every error with the intention to make a fast repair.

I want you might all see the defeat on my roommate’s face once we realized you really cannot merely pour Eating regimen Coke into the Slushi as a result of Eating regimen clearly has no sugar. The booklet does present a workaround for this, together with methods to subtly add sugar and the suitable measurements. Nonetheless, there’s far more math concerned than I might have anticipated — keep in mind when third grade me cursed fractions as a result of “I might by no means use them in actual life?”

As a result of the Slushi does not have blades, it can’t crush strong substances. To make some form of wholesome frozen smoothie from entire substances like frozen berries or kale, they’d must be in puree kind first. I blended these up in our blender forward of transferring the contents to the Slushi afterward, however at that time, it’s possible you’ll as nicely simply add ice to the blender and keep away from washing each machines by hand.

Is the Ninja Slushi value it?

The Ninja Slushi’s splurge-worthiness is determined by how a lot of a frozen drink fanatic you is perhaps. I imply, individuals drop double the coin to convey a elaborate espresso machine house, so spending a couple of hundred {dollars} on a distinct segment kitchen equipment undoubtedly is not unparalleled. In case you’re somebody who must have three drinks inside attain at any given second, certainly the 2 that are not plain water could possibly be slushed, and does not that simply open up a world of prospects? Plus, anybody who struggles with getting their fruits or veggies or protein would possibly keep on high of it extra with a drink extra appetizing than a room-temperature chalky combination. Is it too far to dub the Slushi a wellness hack?

The Slushi would even be a assured hit in a house with youngsters who’re far more more likely to drink their wholesome fruit juice if it principally appears like a Slurpee. Grandparents, aunts, and uncles, that is undoubtedly learn how to grow to be the favourite.

At any price, the serotonin increase of one in all life’s most straightforward treasures — a enjoyable little drink — is priceless, as is the bonding (and cash saving) that would include staying in with mates and having a frozen marg get together in your PJs.