A Jolly Rancher slush is a delicious frozen drink made by mixing together simple syrup and Jolly Ranchers. This brightly colored and sweet slushy treat is perfect for beating the summer heat. It’s also a fun drink to serve at parties or events.
Making a Jolly Rancher slush is easy to do at home with just a few ingredients and steps. All you need is a blender, Jolly Ranchers, simple syrup, ice, and your choice of a liquid base. You can customize the flavors by using different types of Jolly Ranchers. The result is a semi-frozen, candy-flavored drink that’s like an icy sweet tart.
What is a Slush?
A slush, sometimes known as a slushy, is a partially frozen colored flavored drink. Slushes have a soft, smooth, ice crystals texture that makes them easy to drink through a straw. They are often found at convenience stores, movie theaters, amusement parks, and other locations during warm weather months.
Slushes get their signature icy yet soft consistency through a process called dynamic freezing. This involves constantly moving and mixing the ingredients as ice crystals form to prevent them from fully solidifying. The result is a drinkable semi-frozen cocktail-like beverage.
Benefits of Making Your Own Jolly Rancher Slush
There are several advantages to making a Jolly Rancher slush yourself at home:
- Customize the flavors – Pick your favorite Jolly Rancher flavors to mix and match
- Control the sweetness – Adjust the simple syrup to taste
- Add alcohol if desired – For an adult twist, add rum or vodka
- Lower cost – Far cheaper than buying one at a convenience store
- Healthier – Use fresh fruit juice instead of soda for the liquid
- Fun activity – Great project to do with kids or friends
- Perfect for parties – Makes a colorful frozen cocktail
You can experiment with the flavors and tweak the recipe to your liking when you DIY a Jolly Rancher slush.
Jolly Rancher Slush Ingredients
Making a Jolly Rancher slush at home requires just a few key ingredients:
- Jolly Ranchers – The hard candy gives the slush sweetness and flavor. You’ll need around 15-30 candies depending on how strong you want the flavor.
- Simple syrup – This is a mixture of equal parts sugar and water heated until dissolved. It adds sweetness and helps blend the flavors.
- Ice – Crushed ice gives the drink its signature slushy texture.
- Liquid base – This forms the bulk of the drink. Popular options are fruit juice or soda.
You can also add optional ingredients like fresh fruit or even alcohol like rum or vodka for an adult twist.
Jolly Rancher Flavor Options
Jolly Ranchers come in a wide array of fruit and candy flavors, which allows you to get creative with the slush combinations. Some top flavors to use are:
- Cherry
- Watermelon
- Green Apple
- Blue Raspberry
- Grape
- Fruit Punch
You can use a single flavor or mix and match a few for more complexity.
How to Make Simple Syrup for Slush
Simple syrup is used in slushes and cocktails to sweeten the drink in a uniform way. Here is an easy method:
- Combine 1 cup sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan
- Heat over medium, stirring occasionally, until sugar fully dissolves
- Once dissolved, remove from heat and let cool
- Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month
The liquid should take on a clear, syrupy consistency once the sugar is fully incorporated. You can experiment with using different sugar types, like coconut sugar or agave nectar, for different flavor profiles.
Equipment Needed
You don’t need any fancy equipment to whip up a Jolly Rancher slush at home. Here are the basic supplies you’ll need:
- Blender – A powerful blender is key for breaking down the Jolly Ranchers and mixing everything smoothly.
- Long spoon or whisk – For stirring and mixing the slush as it freezes.
- Measuring cups – For accurately measuring out the syrup and other ingredients.
- Metal or glass mixing bowl – To freeze the slush mixture in.
- Strainer – To remove any un-dissolved candy pieces if needed.
Optional but helpful tools include a kitchen scale for weighing the candy and an ice crusher for shaving ice into fine flakes.
Jolly Rancher Slush Step-by-Step Recipe
Once you have gathered the ingredients and equipment, it’s time to make the magic happen! Follow these simple steps:
- Add 15-30 Jolly Ranchers to a blender depending on desired sweetness/flavor intensity. Break them up first if they are large.
- Pour in 2 cups of your chosen liquid base. Fruit juice, soda, lemonade, and iced tea all work well.
- Add in 1/2 cup simple syrup.
- Blend on high speed until the candy is completely dissolved and incorporated.
- Taste the mixture and adjust sweetness as needed. Add more simple syrup for sweeter or extra liquid for less sweet.
- Pour into a metal or glass mixing bowl. Stirring occasionally, let chill in the freezer for 1-2 hours until semi-frozen.
- Remove from freezer and break up the frozen edges with a whisk. Then blend again to reincorporate.
- Return to freezer and repeat breaking up and blending every 30 minutes until you reach a smooth, spoonable consistency.
- Scoop into cups or glasses and enjoy immediately!
The key steps are breaking up the initially frozen edges and re-mixing it to achieve an evenly frozen drink. Enjoy your homemade Jolly Rancher slush!
Flavored Simple Syrup Ideas
One way to add extra flavor to your Jolly Rancher slush is to infuse the simple syrup. Here are some ideas:
- Fruit puree – Blend berries, mango, pineapple, or other fruits into the finished syrup.
- Herbs – Steep fresh herbs like mint, basil, or rosemary.
- Spices – Simmer the syrup with cinnamon sticks, cloves, or cardamom pods.
- Citrus – Add strips of orange, lemon, lime, or grapefruit zest.
- Vanilla – Infuse vanilla beans or extract into the hot syrup.
- Flowers – Try mild floral flavors from lavender buds or rose petals.
Get creative and make flavored simple syrups to complement or contrast with your Jolly Rancher flavors.
Jolly Rancher Slush Variations
One of the great things about DIY slushes is you can customize them in endless ways. Try out some of these fun variations:
Adult slush: Add 1-2 shots of rum, vodka, or tequila
Neapolitan slush: Layer strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla soft serve ice cream
Fizzy slush: Use lemon-lime soda or ginger ale for the liquid
Decadent slush: Blend in chocolate syrup or crushed Oreos
Tropical slush: Use pineapple juice and coconut syrup
Green slush: Blend kiwi, honeydew, and lime Jolly Ranchers
Ombre slush: Create a color gradient effect with layered flavors
Citrus slush: Use lemonade and orange & grapefruit Jolly Ranchers
Spicy slush: Add a few dashes of cinnamon or hot sauce
Troubleshooting Jolly Rancher Slush Issues
Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them when making Jolly Rancher slushes:
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Candy pieces won’t dissolve | Make sure to break up or crush candies before blending. Simmer in simple syrup on the stove. |
| Flavor is too weak | Increase the amount of Jolly Ranchers used or reduce liquid |
| Consistently too icy | Blend more frequently during freezing or add more simple syrup |
| Flavor separates | Use more candy and less liquid. Avoid using oily liquids like coconut milk. |
| Too thin/runny | Let freeze longer. Add ice cream or xanthan gum to thicken. |
| Crystalized texture | Make sure to keep blending and breaking up ice crystals. |
Troubleshooting as you go and adjusting ingredients as needed can help perfect the slush texture and flavor.
Storing Leftover Jolly Rancher Slush
To save any leftover Jolly Rancher slush, here are some storage tips:
- Transfer to an airtight container, leaving 1 inch at the top for expansion.
- Press plastic wrap directly on the surface before sealing to prevent ice crystals.
- Store in the freezer for 2-3 months.
- When ready to reuse, let thaw slightly and remix in a blender.
- Add more simple syrup or liquid to adjust consistency as needed.
Properly stored, the slush will keep its flavor and scoopable texture for future enjoyment.
Jolly Rancher Slush FAQs
Get answers to some frequent questions about making this summery frozen cocktail:
Can I use sugar instead of simple syrup?
Simple syrup helps dissolve the sugar and evenly distributes sweetness. Granulated sugar won’t blend smoothly.
Is it okay to use part of a Jolly Rancher?
Yes, you can break larger Jolly Ranchers into pieces before adding to blender. Just avoid small shards that may not dissolve well.
Should I strain out the foam after blending?
No need to strain. The foam adds body to the slush.
Can I make it without alcohol?
Absolutely! The slush is delicious alcohol-free using just fruit juice, soda, tea or other liquids.
What Jolly Rancher flavors go best together?
Good flavor combos are raspberry-lime, watermelon-cherry, orange-grape, or tropical mixes with pineapple-coconut.
How long does the slush keep in the freezer?
Stored properly in an airtight container, leftover slush will keep for about 2-3 months.
Conclusion
Whipping up a flavorful Jolly Rancher slush at home is an easy and fun summer project. By blending candy, simple syrup, juice and ice, you can create a rainbow-colored frozen cocktail to help beat the heat.
Customize yours with different flavors, liquids, and additions to make it your own signature drink. Keep troubleshooting tips in mind and enjoy the cooling, sugar-rushed bliss. Discover the endless possibilities of DIY candy-flavored slushes.
