The Vodka You Should Be Using For A Better Adult Slushy

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Cucumbers aren't just an easy-to-grow vegetable (okay, technically it's a fruit) for beginning gardeners. They are also the unexpected flavor that's missing from your adult slushy. Cucumber vodka is the sip that will elevate your homemade frozen cocktails and give them more elegance and depth of flavor. Creative mixologists have long dabbled with cucumber essence in mixed drinks, especially when the goal is refreshment. The vegetal, mild flavor of cucumber pairs beautifully with a lot more flavor profiles than you'd think, and gives a grown-up dimension to your slushies. While your common gas station slushy tends to err on the side of aggressively sweet, kid-friendly flavors like blue raspberry or Coca-Cola, you'll find that cucumber pleases a more mature palate that can appreciate subtlety.

Slushy drinks can cause brain freezes, true, but they can also be a fun way to cool down on a steamy day. Cucumber vodka will make your adult slushy even more thirst-quenching, whether you grab a well-known brand like Stoli or concoct your own infusion by soaking peeled, sliced cucumbers in plain vodka for at least two days in the fridge. Adult slushies are already a recipe that invites plenty of playful experimentation with minimal investment — just look at the two-ingredient creamy lemon slushy, which absolutely shines with a boozy twist. When you are dreaming up your next picnic or barbecue signature drink, you should seriously consider tossing some cucumber into the equation. Time to bust out your slushy machine, because we're diving deep into cucumber combos!

To start off your frozen cucumber concoctions, you might want to try the basics. When it comes to mixology, cucumber's BFFs are mint and lime. Opting for this verdant trio will produce a slushy with distinction and exquisitely cooling summertime vibes. But there's no need to stop there. Cucumber's flavor plays gorgeously with melon, and watermelon is a summertime VIP. Watermelon, cucumber vodka, a splash of simple syrup, and some lime juice will have you and your friends living it up by the pool. 

Another scarlet ingredient that loves cucumber is rose syrup. Again, lime juice and mint are the key to really making cucumber's natural appeal bloom magnificently. The delicate perfume of cucumber and rose will result in a slushy that smells as good as it tastes (start off with a light hand to keep things from getting overly floral). Still searching for cucumber's natural harmony but want to branch out? We love mango for juicy sweetness, basil for herbaceous earthiness, or green tea for mellow, floral flair.

Now that you've sussed out some of the basic intuitive pairings for cucumber vodka in an adult slushy, you get to enjoy the fun part: letting your own tastes run wild and mixing up batches of cucumber-based slushies for yourself and your loved ones! In your slushies, don't be afraid to add additional juiced cucumber for an even more potent flavor. We predict you'll have heart-eyes over cukes.