The Newfoundland Christmas Slush

Nothing says holiday season like making a batch of this famous citrus-y Christmas slush! A frosty blend of pineapple and citrus juices, vodka, and topped with a sweet, fizzy soda. It’s as wonderful and refreshing as it sounds! 

A holiday staple from the East Coast to your freezer

If you’re not from the East Coast, particularly Newfoundland or Cape Breton Island, you might be wondering…what is a Christmas Slush? It’s essentially a festive drink we enjoy during the holiday season that keeps your spirit warm, despite it being a frozen drink! 

Depending on the region, the exact recipe for a Christmas slush can vary widely. But, this recipe is the infamous slush Greg’s mother, Monica, has been making for years. Christmas Eve just isn’t the same without it! Monica is from Cape Breton, so if you’re from the area, you’ll be very happy with this citrusy version of Christmas punch! Between her and I, we’ve tested this recipe so many times that it’s flawless.

Chilled, easy, and totally customizable

Whether you’re new to Christmas slush or it’s been a family tradition for years, here’s what makes this version especially worth trying:

• It’s chilled! During the holiday season, it’s common to sip on warm cocktails and holiday lattes but sometimes it’s nice to sip on something refreshing and chilled. If you agree, you have to try our festive cran-orange bourbon sour and candy cane white russian, too!
• Easy to make. From what I can tell, many similar recipes call for blending everything together in a blender. We eliminated that step by using pre-made fruit juices for an easy cocktail you can make all season long. 
• Customizable. Like your slush to taste more citrus-like? Replace some of the pineapple juice with additional orange juice? Prefer your slush less sweet? Feel free to adjust to taste!

A true set-it-and-forget-it holiday drink

You can make it days (or even weeks!) before your holiday festivities begin and keep it stored in the freezer until you’re ready to serve. I loved testing this because you can almost never make too much! With a few ratio tweaks, we made it easy enough that you can just pour the mixture into a large, freezer-safe container with a lid and freeze it flat. When it’s party time, I like to let it sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes to soften slightly, then use an ice cream scoop to scrape it into that perfect slushy consistency. Leftovers go straight back in the freezer for the next holiday get-together! No waste, no mess.

Booze swaps & non-alcoholic versions

While this recipe calls for vodka, you’ve got plenty of wiggle room when it comes to the alcohol. Rum adds a warmer flavour that pairs nicely with citrus, while gin would give it a bit of a botanical twist. Even bourbon works if you want something richer. Hosting a mixed crowd or want to keep it family-friendly? Just skip the alcohol entirely! The citrus and soda still make for a super refreshing frozen punch that everyone can enjoy.

The best times to bust out the slush

In my extensive experience, this Christmas slush goes well with virtually any holiday occasion. Try serving at holiday parties, while putting up the Christmas tree, wrapping holiday gifts, or while watching your favourite Christmas movie. 

If you’re planning a Christmas party this time of year, check out some of our other popular Christmas recipes to go along with a festive seasonal drink: Holiday Lentil Mushroom Loaf in Puff Pastry, Garlic Parmesan Fluffy Mashed Potatoes, and Vegan Mini Pot Pie Pastries. 

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