Frozen Cherry Coke Slushies

This childhood favorite is peak 7-Eleven nostalgia in the best possible way. Frozen cherries are blended with Coke (both frozen into cubes and straight up) with a splash of lime juice for a surprisingly balanced and totally drinkable frozen drink. The optional addition of a little booze makes for the perfect poolside or patio pounder on a sunny afternoon.

The booze:
While you can use whatever you fancy, I found bourbon and rum (light or dark, whatever you've got on hand) to be the tastiest additions that complement both the classic Cola flavor and fruity cherries without being overly boozy. Equal parts of Campari and bourbon made for a fun take on the traditional boulevardier. Opt out entirely and enjoy the drink booze-free too.

Blend it right:
How you layer the ingredients in the blender sounds inconsequential, but it actually matters. Start with the liquids at the bottom, then the frozen Cola cubes, and finish with the cherries to ensure the mixture gets moving and stays super-cold and frosty. Trust me here, the details matter for this particular drink.

Make it ahead:
Making slushies for a crowd? The good news is they freeze like a dream. Make a batch or three and store in zip-top baggies a few hours ahead of time. Let sit at room temperature for a few minutes to thaw slightly, then portion into glasses. Your guests will be begging you for this recipe.

Have you tried the recipe? Tell us how it went in the comments!