Hey friend,
This slushie is a total throwback. It tastes just like the kind of treat you’d beg for on a hot summer day, but now you can make it at home in 5 minutes.
It’s fizzy, fruity, sweet, and smooth—all the good stuff in one icy glass. Perfect for chill afternoons or whenever you need a fun, easy pick-me-up. Let’s get into it.
🍒 What You’ll Need:
- 2 cups flat cola (cold)
- 1 cup frozen dark sweet cherries
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 to 1 ½ cups ice (depending on how thick you want it)
- Optional: extra cherries or a splash of vanilla for topping
💡 Why I Love This Recipe
This slushie brings back all the nostalgia of cherry vanilla cola—but in frozen form. I made this the first time when I had leftover flat soda and a bag of cherries in the freezer. Boom: magic.
- It’s SO refreshing.
- Only needs a few ingredients you probably already have.
- You can make it in under 5 minutes.
- It’s a great way to use up flat cola instead of tossing it.
- It’s the perfect combo of tart cherries, smooth vanilla, and sweet cola.
🍽 Makes: 2 Servings
⏱ Ready in: 5 minutes
🧪 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)
Flat cola works better than fizzy—it blends smoother and won’t foam up. Frozen cherries help chill and thicken the mix, while ice gives it that perfect slush texture. Vanilla rounds out the flavors and brings a creamy, soda-shop vibe.
🍽 Meal Plan Ideas
- Add to a Movie Night snack spread with popcorn and mini pretzels.
- Serve with grilled hot dogs and chips for an easy summer lunch.
- Pair with a cheeseburger and fries for a fun retro diner meal at home.
- Make it dessert after pizza night!
⚠️ Common Mistakes
- Using fresh cherries – You need frozen ones to get the texture right.
- Blending too long – It’ll turn into juice, not slush. Quick bursts work best.
- Adding too much ice – It gets watery. Stick to 1 to 1½ cups.
- Using fizzy cola – It will foam and overflow. Let it go flat first.
🍴 Tools You’ll Need:
- Blender
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Glasses for serving
- Spoon or straw for mixing/topping
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Use diet cola for a lighter version.
- Swap cherries for frozen raspberries or blackberries.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a float-style slushie.
- Use cherry cola and skip the frozen cherries for a smoother drink.
⏳ Make Ahead Tips
You can pre-freeze the cola in ice cube trays and blend with cherries and vanilla for extra icy texture—no need for additional ice.
👩🍳 How to Make Cherry Vanilla Cola Slushie
Step 1: Add frozen cherries to the blender
Pour 1 cup of frozen dark sweet cherries into the blender.
Step 2: Pour in flat cola
Add 2 cups of flat, cold cola over the cherries.
Step 3: Add vanilla extract
Drizzle in 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract.
Step 4: Add ice
Add 1 to 1½ cups of ice, depending on how thick you like it.
Step 5: Blend until slushy
Blend on high for 30–45 seconds or until it’s thick, icy, and smooth.
Step 6: Serve and enjoy
Pour into glasses. Top with extra cherries or a splash of vanilla if you want!
🧊 Leftovers & Storage
Slushies don’t store well blended—but you can freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe jar and re-blend later. Or freeze into ice cube trays and blitz when ready to serve again.
🍴 What to Serve With It
- Cheeseburgers or sliders
- BBQ chicken sandwiches
- Chili dogs
- Nachos or loaded fries
- Potato chips or kettle corn
❓ FAQ
Can I use fresh cherries?
Nope—frozen cherries give the best texture and chill.
What if my cola is still fizzy?
Let it sit open for a few hours or stir it until the bubbles are gone.
Do I need to sweeten it?
Not at all—between the cherries and cola, it’s naturally sweet.
Can I make it without a blender?
Not really—you need a blender to crush the ice and mix it smoothly.
💬 Your Turn!
Hope this slushie brings you a little bit of sweet nostalgia and a whole lot of refreshment. Try it out and drop a comment below—tell me how it went or ask any questions. I’m here to help you make it your new summer favorite!
