Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush Recipe
Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush Recipe is my favorite cool drink. There was always one frozen treat that never failed to make an appearance in my family’s freezer – bourbon slush.
It didn’t matter if it was a holiday, a cookout, or just a weekend gathering, my parents were ready to pull out a frosty container and share it around.
As a kid, I couldn’t quite figure out why the adults raved about it so much. Fast forward a few years, and now I completely understand the obsession!
It’s cool, tangy, full of flavor, and has just the right kick to make it the life of the party.
Traditionally, my parents made it with cans of frozen juice concentrates, but when I started making it myself, I found a way to simplify the process without losing the flavor.
Using my Ninja Slushie machine, I can whip up bourbon slush in minutes with the perfect icy texture every single time.

Why You’ll LOVE This Recipe
You’ll love this Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush Recipe because it’s super easy to make and tastes amazing every single time.
I’ve made this drink dozens of times, and it never disappoints. The mix of apple cider and pear nectar creates this sweet, fruity base that pairs perfectly with the bourbon’s smooth warmth.
The lemon juice adds just the right amount of tang to balance everything out.
What I really love about this recipe is how quick it comes together. You just add all the ingredients to your Ninja Slushie machine, press a button, and wait. No complicated steps or hard-to-find ingredients.
Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush Recipe Ingredients
- Apple Cider (4 cups): Provides the main sweet, autumn flavor. Fresh apple cider works best, but store-bought is fine too. You can use fresh apple juice instead, but it won’t taste as rich. Skip apple juice from concentrate – it’s too sweet.
- Pear Nectar (1 cup): Adds smooth, fruity sweetness without being too strong. Find it near other fruit juices at the store. Peach nectar or mild apple juice work as substitutes.
- Lemon Juice (1/2 cup): Fresh lemon juice balances the sweet flavors and adds brightness. Use 2-3 fresh lemons for best taste. Bottled lemon juice works if it’s 100% pure with no added sugar.
- Bourbon (1 cup): Makes the drink special with warmth and depth. Use mid-range bourbon – not too cheap, not too fancy. Start with 3/4 cup if you’re new to bourbon. Whiskey also works well.
- Ice: Regular ice cubes work perfectly. The machine crushes and blends the ice to create the smooth, slushy texture.
Recommended Equipment
- Ninja Slushie machine (or any slushie machine)
- Measuring cups for accurate ingredient portions
- Citrus juicer or lemon squeezer for fresh lemon juice
- Spoon or whisk for mixing ingredients before blending
- Glasses for serving your delicious slush
- Ice bucket or tray for easy ice access
How To Make Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush
Step 1 | Add the Base Liquids
Pour the liquids into the Ninja Slushie machine: Add 4 cups of apple cider, 1 cup of pear nectar, and 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice directly into the machine. Stir lightly to blend.

Step 2 | Add the Bourbon
Pour 1 cup of bourbon into the machine and give it a gentle stir to mix with the other ingredients.

Step 3 | Start the Slush
Press the Spike Slush button on your Ninja Slushie machine. Wait about 30 minutes for the mixture to freeze into slush.

Step 4 | Serve
When the slushie is thick, icy, and scoopable, serve it in glasses. Optionally, garnish with a cinnamon stick or apple slice.

Recipe Perfection Tips
- Chill the liquid ingredients: Chill all your liquid ingredients before using them for faster freezing.
- Use fresh lemon juice: Use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled for the best flavor.
- Don’t overfill the machine: Don’t fill the machine more than 3/4 full to allow room for mixing.
- Adjust bourbon to taste: Taste the mixture before freezing and adjust bourbon to your preference.
- Serve immediately: Serve right away for the best texture – it gets harder if it sits too long.
- Keep ingredients stocked: Keep extra ingredients on hand for making a second batch.
- Clean the machine: Clean your machine right after use for easy maintenance.
Recommended Pairings for Bourbon Slush
I love serving it with grilled meats during summer cookouts. It also works great with barbecue ribs, grilled chicken, or even grilled vegetables.
For fall gatherings, this bourbon slush is perfect with comfort foods like mac and cheese, pulled pork sandwiches, or hearty stews. The apple and pear flavors complement autumn dishes really well.
I also like serving it with spicy foods because the cold, fruity drink helps cool down your mouth between bites.
When it comes to appetizers, this drink goes great with cheese boards, especially ones with sharp cheddar or aged gouda.
The bourbon’s warmth and the fruit’s sweetness create a nice contrast to strong cheeses. It also pairs well with salty snacks like pretzels, nuts, or chips and dip.
Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make this without a Ninja Slushie machine?
Yes, you can, but it takes more time. You would mix all the liquids together and pour them into a shallow metal pan. Then, you freeze it for several hours. Every hour, you need to take it out and scrape it with a fork to break up the ice crystals. It makes a good slush, but the Ninja machine is much faster and gives a better texture.
2. What type of bourbon works best for this recipe?
I recommend using a mid-range bourbon for this recipe – something smooth but not too expensive since you’re mixing it with fruit juices. Brands like Buffalo Trace, Maker’s Mark, or Wild Turkey work great. Avoid using your top-shelf bourbon because the other flavors will mask its special qualities.
3. Can I make the mix ahead and freeze it in containers?
Yes, you can mix the liquids and store them in the fridge for up to one day before using the machine. I do not freeze the mix in advance because the slush machine needs liquid to make the smooth texture.
If you freeze the mix solid in containers, it will form large ice crystals and will not have the same silky texture when blended quickly.
4. My machine made the slush too hard. What did I do wrong?
If the slush is too hard, you likely used too much ice or let it freeze too long. Try running the slush setting for less time next round.
You can also stir the slush to loosen it, or remove some slush and let it sit a few minutes to soften. Check your machine guide for ice-to-liquid ratios and follow that next time.
5. How long does the bourbon slush last in the machine?
Your Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush Recipe will stay perfectly frozen in the machine for up to 12 hours! This makes it great for parties because you can make it in the morning and serve it all day long.
Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush Recipe

Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush recipe in just 40 minutes! Refreshing apple cider, pear nectar, lemon, and bourbon blend into the perfect frozen cocktail.
Ingredients
- 4 cups Apple Cider
- 1 cup Pear Nectar
- 1/2 cup Lemon Juice (fresh preferred)
- 1 cup Bourbon
- Ice (enough for slushie texture)
Instructions
- Pour the liquids into the Ninja Slushie machine: Add 4 cups of apple cider, 1 cup of pear nectar, and 1/2 cup of fresh lemon juice directly into the machine. Stir lightly to blend.
- Pour 1 cup of bourbon into the machine and give it a gentle stir to mix with the other ingredients.
- Press the Spike Slush button on your Ninja Slushie machine. Wait about 30 minutes for the mixture to freeze into slush.
- When the slushie is thick, icy, and scoopable, serve it in glasses. Optionally, garnish with a cinnamon stick or apple slice.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: (about 1 cup per serving)Amount Per Serving: Calories: 185Sodium: 5mgCarbohydrates: 25gSugar: 21gSugar Alcohols: 14g
I hope you try this Ninja Slushie Bourbon Slush Recipe soon – it’s simple, tasty, and always a winner.
Mix it up at home, share with friends, and enjoy the cool vibes. You’ll love how easy it is!