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Icy Lemon-Ginger Vodka Slush in a rocks glass with mint sprig (AI-generated image)
AI-generated image
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Icy Lemon-Ginger Vodka Slush

A frozen party pitcher: fresh ginger syrup and lemon frozen into a tart ice, then blended with crushed ice and vodka into a bright, snowy slush. Sweet-tart with a gentle ginger warmth.

Time
20 min
Difficulty
Medium
Method
Blended
Glass
Rocks glass

Ingredients

Servings

Amounts below make 8 servings (the full recipe).

  • Fresh ginger — 3-inch piece, peeled and thinly sliced1
  • Water2 cups (16 oz)
  • Sugar1 ½ cups
  • Lemon juice — fresh, plus the finely grated zest of 1 lemon8 oz
  • Vodka2 cups (16 oz)
  • Fresh mint — for garnish8 sprigs

21+ · Please drink responsibly. Learn more

Garnish: Mint sprig (8 sprigs)

Batching tip: mix everything except ice up to a few hours ahead and keep it chilled. Pour over fresh ice to serve.

How to make it

  1. 1

    Make the lemon-ginger ice at least 4 hours ahead (see Make ahead).

  2. 2

    Let the frozen lemon-ginger mixture sit at room temperature for 5 minutes, then chop it into large pieces.

  3. 3

    Put half the pieces in a blender with 4 cups crushed ice and 1 cup vodka and blend until slushy.

  4. 4

    Pour into 4 glasses and garnish each with a mint sprig. Repeat with the rest of the frozen mixture, another 4 cups crushed ice and the remaining vodka. Serve right away.

Swap it: For an alcohol-free slush, leave out the vodka and add a splash of ginger ale or sparkling water to the blender.

Make ahead

Lemon-ginger ice

Bar batch

  • 3-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 cups water
  • 1½ cups sugar
  • finely grated zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 cup fresh lemon juice
  1. Simmer the ginger, water and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat for 5 minutes, then let it cool slightly.
  2. Blend until smooth, then strain into a large, shallow glass dish.
  3. Stir in the lemon zest and juice, cover and freeze until firm, at least 4 hours.

Enough for 8 drinks. You'll also need 8 cups crushed ice when you blend.

Bar gear

Equipment for this drink

Tools you'll need

  • BlenderFor frozen drinks. Any countertop blender that can crush ice will do.
  • JiggerA double-sided measure so every drink comes out the same. Look for one marked in ½ and ¼ oz.
  • Citrus pressSqueezes fresh lemon and lime fast — fresh juice is the biggest upgrade you can make.
  • PitcherFor batching a round of drinks before guests arrive.

Recommended glassware

  • Rocks glassShort and sturdy — for spirit-forward drinks and sours over ice.

No shaker? A clean jar with a tight lid works. Build your home bar →

Recipe source: Food & Wine — Icy Lemon-Ginger Vodka Cocktail (Tyler Florence). Quantities and basic method are factual. Description and steps are original Mixistry copy. Last updated 2026-10-11.

Contains alcohol. For adults 21+ (or the legal drinking age where you live). Please enjoy responsibly.

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