Pioneer woman apple cider slushies are an easy frozen drink blended from apple cider cubes, maple syrup and apple pie spice, ready in 10 minutes. And since the blender handles everything, they are a fun make-ahead pick for fall parties, tailgates or a lazy afternoon on the front porch.
The step that matters most is freezing the cider cubes until completely solid, because half-frozen cubes make the drink watery instead of thick. So give them at least 3 hours, or freeze them overnight for the best slushy texture.
A spiced sugar rim with apple pie spice and a squeeze of lemon sets this apart from most cider drinks online. And the optional splash of bourbon or apple brandy gives it a warm kick that pairs with the maple syrup.
Pioneer Woman Apple Cider Slushies
Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes269
kcalFrozen apple cider cubes blended with maple syrup and apple pie spice until thick and smooth, then poured into glasses with a spiced sugar rim.
Ingredients
1 qt. apple cider
2 tbsp. granulated sugar
2 1/2 tsp. apple pie spice
1 lemon wedge
2 tbsp. maple syrup
6 oz. bourbon or apple brandy (optional)
Thinly sliced apples and cinnamon sticks, for garnish
Directions
- Freeze the cider: Pour 2 3/4 cups apple cider into ice cube molds and freeze until solid, 3 hours or overnight.
- Rim the glasses: In a shallow dish, combine the sugar with 2 teaspoons of the apple pie spice, then run the lemon wedge around the rims of 4 glasses and dip them into the spiced sugar, turning to coat.
- Blend and serve: In a blender, blend the cider cubes, maple syrup, bourbon or brandy (if using), remaining 1 1/4 cups apple cider and 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice until thick and smooth, then divide among the glasses and garnish each with an apple slice and cinnamon stick.
FAQs
Can I make apple cider slushies without alcohol?
Just skip the bourbon or brandy for a family-friendly batch that still tastes like fall. Since the maple syrup and apple pie spice carry all the flavor, you will not miss the alcohol at all.
How far ahead can I freeze the apple cider cubes?
You can freeze the cider cubes up to a week ahead in a sealed freezer bag. Once you are ready to serve, just pull them out and blend, so there is almost no prep on party day.
Can I store leftover apple cider slushies in the freezer?
You can pour leftovers into a freezer-safe container, but the texture will harden into a solid block instead of staying slushy. When you want to serve them again, let the block thaw for about 10 minutes and then re-blend until smooth.
What size ice cube molds work best for cider slushies?
Standard ice cube trays work fine, though smaller molds will freeze faster and blend more easily. If you only have large molds, break the cubes into smaller pieces before blending so your machine does not strain.
Why is my apple cider slushie too thin and watery?
The most common reason is that the cider cubes were not frozen long enough, so they melted too fast in the blender. Before you blend, make sure they are frozen completely solid and avoid adding too much liquid cider at once.
