Frozen drinks are synonymous with enjoyment, from thick milkshakes to frozen margaritas. The Ninja Slushi Twist, a new frozen drink maker, promises to deliver bar-quality beverages without the fuss of constant blending, according to a review by The Guardian. It builds on the original Ninja Slushi, which went viral in 2024 but had limitations: a 72oz capacity and a maximum of 16% alcohol. The new Slushi Twist offers up to 144oz capacity, supports drinks up to 20% alcohol, and features a soft-serve-inspired swirl function.
Capacity and Alcohol Limits
The Slushi Twist is designed to handle larger batches and stronger drinks. It can process up to 144oz of liquid at a time, compared to the original's 72oz. The alcohol limit has been raised from 16% to 20% ABV, allowing for stiffer cocktails. However, replicating the perfect layered visuals seen in marketing materials proved nearly impossible during testing, according to the reviewer. The machine is best for creating fantastic, bar-quality drinks without much fuss, rather than Instagram-worthy presentations.
How to Make Frozen Beverages
Using the Slushi Twist effectively requires understanding how sugar and alcohol affect freezing. Both act as antifreeze by lowering water's freezing point. Without enough sugar, the drink freezes stiff; with too much alcohol, it won't freeze. The Twist's dashboard alerts users when a drink has too little sugar or too much alcohol by taking its temperature. Each clear plastic vessel requires at least 16oz of liquid, and the mixture needs at least 4.5% sugar by weight to achieve a slushy consistency—that's at least 22 grams of sugar at minimum. Lightly sweetened iced teas, unflavored coconut water, and fruit juices like apple, pineapple, or orange have enough sugar naturally. For unsweetened liquids like iced coffee or diet beverages, Ninja recommends adding 4 tablespoons of simple syrup to the minimum 16oz. The Twist's refrigerated core gets colder than previous models, enabling stronger drinks. Users can add up to 4oz of liquor to a 16oz batch, resulting in a 20% ABV Mudslide. Ninja provides recipes for both alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks to simplify the process.
Using the Slushi Twist
The Ninja Slushi Twist weighs about 35lb and measures roughly 17.5in x 12in x 16in, requiring significant counter space. It fits under most upper cabinets except for the handles, but may need to be pulled forward for access to the two beverage vessels. Users can run each vessel independently using the Slush Assist button, or stagger them with the Dual Slush Assist button. Plastic paddles spin around the refrigerated core, scraping the freezing mixture like an ice-cream maker. Starting with cold ingredients speeds up the process: a basic 16oz batch can finish in about 20 minutes, while a warm 48oz batch can take up to an hour. The Twist can run for up to 12 consecutive hours, according to Ninja. A temperature probe monitors the mixture during the first 15 minutes and alerts if adjustments are needed—too warm prompts adding sugar, too cold prompts adding water. During testing, the reviewer used a squeeze bottle of simple syrup or water for adjustments. Most 16- to 20oz batches took 20 to 40 minutes to reach a slushy consistency. A progress bar indicates when the drink has reached the right temperature, and two snowflake buttons allow for adjusting stiffness. The reviewer often warmed the drink up for a smoother pour, as colder drinks tend to fall out in clumps. Wide straws designed for milkshakes or smoothies are recommended, as narrow straws can make drinking thick slushies difficult. Both vessels may not finish at the same time, even with identical drinks at the same temperature.
Dispensing and Entertaining
Dispensing drinks is easy, even for children. Handles pull down easily, and a turntable for the cup spins to combine flavors. Drinks can be left in the machine to churn, but if dairy is added, Ninja suggests finishing the cycle within 30 minutes of the ready light turning on to reduce foam. The Slushi Twist is particularly useful for entertaining, as it keeps drinks cold and maintains consistency, allowing guests to serve themselves. Once a recipe is dialed in, especially the sugar amount, the machine turns frozen drinks into a set-it-and-forget-it affair, freeing the host to spend more time with guests. The reviewer noted that the Twist is ideal for those who enjoy entertaining but don't want to work a blender all night, or for those who struggle with ingredient ratios for frozen drinks.
