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Non-Alcoholic

Cherry Limeade Slush

By Marty Cole Β· March 13, 2026

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⏱️ 35 min totalπŸ₯„ 5 min prep❄️ 30 min spin🌑️ 4 bars
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Cherry Limeade Slush

There's a drive-in near us that does a cherry limeade I'd drive twenty minutes for, so I tried to copy it in the Ninja Slushi and honestly got close. Cold limeade plus cherry juice, SLUSH preset, and the Cherry Limeade Slush comes out tart and frozen with that red-and-green look. My kid said it was "better than the real one," though she's seven and very loyal. Use real cherry juice, not the bright red syrup stuff, or it goes flat-sweet and loses the tartness that makes a limeade worth the trip.

Your machine size

Slushi 64 oz (Standard) Β· quantities scaled Γ—1

Ingredients

  • Cold Limeade40 oz
  • Cherry Juice10 oz
  • Fresh Lime Juiceoptional1 tbsp
  • Maraschino Cherryoptional2 garnish

Makes ~52 oz

Directions

  1. 1Stir the limeade and cherry juice together in a pitcher.
  2. 2Add a splash of fresh lime juice to sharpen the tartness.
  3. 3Pour the mixture into the Slushi vessel below the fill line.
  4. 4Lock the lid and select the SLUSH preset.
  5. 5Wait until it freezes into a soft slush, about 30 minutes.
  6. 6Serve topped with a couple of maraschino cherries.

Tips

  • Pour your limeade and cherry juice at room temperature directly into the Slushi bowl, not pre-chilled, since the machine does the freezing work for you.
  • Check the slush consistency around the 30-minute mark by looking through the bowl window, then let it churn another 10-15 minutes until it reaches that perfect scoopable texture.
  • If your slush turns out too icy and hard to dispense, run warm water over the tap for a few seconds to loosen it up without melting the whole batch.

Variations

  • Swap half the cherry juice for cranberry juice to brighten the tartness and add a deeper color.
  • Use fresh lime juice mixed with simple syrup instead of bottled limeade for a more tart, less sweet version.
  • Add a splash of vanilla extract or almond extract to the liquid base before pouring for a subtle flavor boost.

FAQ

What if my slush won't dispense from the tap?
The mixture might be too thick or frozen solid. Run warm water over the tap for 5-10 seconds to warm it slightly, or let it sit for 2-3 minutes at room temperature. If it's still stuck, you may have overfilled the bowl past the fill line.
Can I use fresh lime juice instead of bottled limeade?
Yes, but mix fresh lime juice with simple syrup or sugar water first so it's not too tart. The limeade base works best because it's already balanced for sweetness and freezing.
How long does the slush stay frozen after it's made?
Keep it in the Slushi machine with the churn running, and it stays scoopable for a few hours. Once you turn off the machine, it will start to separate and melt within 30 minutes.
Why is my slush coming out more like juice than slush?
The base didn't churn long enough. Let it run for at least 40-50 minutes, checking the window every 10 minutes after 30 minutes to see when the churning creates that thick, granular texture.

Nutrition

Per serving Β· makes about 4 servings Β· estimated

98
Calories
0g
Protein
25g
Carbs
23g
Sugar
0g
Fat

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Marty Cole, recipe developer at Cream & Slush

Meet Marty Cole

I'm a home cook who got a little obsessed with the Ninja Slushi and Creami. I test every recipe in my own kitchen on a real machine, dial in the texture, and only post the ones my family actually finishes.

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