We are one month into summer vacation. Yes, this sounds like a status report from some exploratory mission or something. Sometimes that’s kind of how it feels. We have a long way to go, but by and large, we seem to be enjoying one another’s company. By and large.
My kids are always kind of shocked by the sheer amount of errands I run during the day; they usually miss it because they’re at school, but when they’re home, they get to run all the errands with me. And since we can’t swing a dead cat without hitting a Sonic where we live, we are always driving by Sonic and they are always asking if we can go. Always.
So we decided to start trying to make slushes at home. My favorite Sonic slush has always been the lemon berry, but I really love lime and strawberries together, so we decided to give that one a shot. And we’ve loved it–strawberries have been cheap and it’s been fun to make them at home. I will say that despite the fact that I used frozen berries in this picture, use fresh (or thawed) berries. This was an experiment gone horribly wrong. I shouldn’t do recipe experiments when photos are involved.
You’re going to need a pint of fresh strawberries, washed and hulled, 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup simple syrup, 1/4 cup water, and some crushed ice. To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup white sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. When the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is clear, allow to cool. Keep in a bottle or jar with a lid and use as needed.
Place the ingredients in the jar of a blender, ending with the ice, and blend until smooth. Serve immediately. Makes 3-4 servings.
Lime Berry Slush
Description
A tangy, fresh, and tasty drink – perfect for those dog days of summer.
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh strawberries
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (about 2 juicy limes)*
- 1/4 cup simple syrup**
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1 1/2 cups crushed ice
- *You can substitute lemons if you want to.
Instructions
- **To make simple syrup, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup white sugar in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. When the sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture is clear, allow to cool. Keep in a bottle with a lid and use as needed.
- Place ingredients in the jar of a blender, ending with the ice. Blend until smooth and serve with lime wedges.
Sounds so good and refreshing for summer! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing, my kids and I are all dairy free, cuz of stomach problems. So this is great. Please share any other variations, one of my son’s is also allergic to strawberries… Thanks
My kids also beg for Sonic drinks all the time. I had to bring that request to a halt when one child pierced the bottom of the styrofoam cup with a straw. When the cup was full of a red slush. Thanks for a at-home alternative!
This is a perfect way to kick-off our summer when my kids get out next week!
“Swing a dead cat?” You just made my day. 🙂
Silly question I’m sure but if sugar is off your food list, along w/all the substitutes, would honey work with this???
I grew up with a Sonic in hometown, but live no where near one now. Strawberry-limeaid slushies are the best! Thanks for this “make your own” recipe, Kate!!
This looks yummy! I really need to get myself a blender.
I’m a bit astounded that your kids have been out of school for a month already, though I spent enough time on the internet to know that school year dates vary greatly!
We have 7 more days for kids, 10 1/2 for teachers! Though as a sub I’m starting to get fewer calls so my summer is gradually beginning.
Yum! It’s our 1st day of summer break. Kids have been up for 2 hrs and I am about to go crazy! This is perfect to bribe my boys with when they get their chores done.
Oh, I need this in my life.
I love the flavor combo here, it looks so good!
Just a tip on the sugar syrup…the homemade stuff will start to grow some mold after a couple of weeks, even if you keep it in the fridge. Even though it sounds CRAZY, I buy bottled sugar syrup at Walmart (it’s with the agave syrup and artificial sweeteners) and it has some citric acid in it to keep the mold away. I can keep it right on the kitchen counter for months with no problem. I use that for my iced coffee, as I don’t use it all that quickly. If I’m doing mixed drinks for a get together, I go ahead and make my own because I know it will get used up. Also, I learned the hard way (at 5:30 AM, no less) that frozen berries AND ice will not a smoothie make.
This lime berry slushy looks scrumptious. I’m not really allowed to go to Sonic anymore because my wife is worried about color additives. Oh well. She’s not really that controlling! Just on food. But these are perfect for the kids after school snack and my get-out-of work snack.
Tom, some of the sugar-free flavors at Sonic are clear. (And sugar-free just refers to the flavorings…the slush base is full of sugar.) Maybe that will help :).