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    Home » Recipes » Drinks » Brandy Slush Recipe (Wisconsin Classic Cocktail!)

    July 13, 2020 · Updated June 22, 2021

    Brandy Slush Recipe (Wisconsin Classic Cocktail!)

    4.79 from 23 votes
    25 Comments

    · by Amanda Gajdosik

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

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    A pin to share the recipe for brandy slush.

    This post was originally published on December, 20 2017 and was updated July, 13 2020. This brandy slush recipe is known far and wide across Wisconsin! It’s an easy big-batch cocktail made with tea, orange juice, lemonade, and good quality brandy. What more could you want?

    A tall pub glass is filled with brandy slush. The glass sits on a wooden cutting board surrounded by citrus fruits. There is a bottle of brandy in the backhand left corner. Another glass of brandy slush is in the backhand right corner. The drinks are garnished with orange and lemon slices.

    This frozen cocktail recipe tastes like home to me. And probably to most people from Wisconsin and the Midwest. A bucket of brandy slush was almost certainly in the basement chest freezer of one relative or another for most people I knew growing up.

    Want to recreate those childhood memories by making this recipe for Wisconsin brandy slush? Here’s what you’ll need:

    • Black Tea
    • Sugar
    • Orange Juice Concentrate
    • Lemonade Concentrate
    • Brandy
    • Lemon Lime Soda
    • An old ice cream pail
    A tall pub glass is filled with brandy slush. The glass sits on a wooden coaster surrounded by citrus fruits. There is a bottle of brandy in the backhand left corner. Another glass of brandy slush is in the backhand right corner. The drinks are garnished with orange and lemon slices.

    What is Brandy Slush?

    In Wisconsin, brandy slush is the best, big batch cocktail for a crowd. It is a staple during the holiday season! I also love it for summer to cool off in the sweltering Midwestern heat. (Of course I could also go for grasshopper ice cream!) It’s a drink recipe made from black tea, juice concentrates, and brandy. So simple and so delicious! It’s bright and bubbly (thanks to lemon lime soda) and refreshing!

    An overhead shot of an ice cream pail cocktail in a glass garnished with orange and lemon slices.

    How to make Brandy Slush (the Wisconsin way!)

    1. Clean out an old ice cream bucket. Y’know the kind that's a big gallon container with a lid and a handle. Or find one in your grandma’s basement, she’s probably got one. (Or I guess buy one???)
    2. Combine water and sugar and bring it to a boil. Add the tea bags and let it steep to make a strong, sweet tea.
    3. Pour in the (thawed) juice concentrates and the brandy.
    4. Stir it all together, cover with that bucket’s lid, and freeze for at least 12 hours. Or overnight.
    5. Serve large scoops in a glass and top with lemon lime soda. Garnish with fruit, if desired.

    I love this recipe for a few reasons. For one, it is such a classic Wisconsin cocktail. It reminds me of Christmas at my Grandma’s and there is no better feeling than that! For two, it can be made ahead of time and in a large quantity which means it’s the perfect cocktail for crowds or gatherings of any and all kinds!

    Lastly, it can be adjusted to suit your tolerance. Add two cups of brandy or heck, add four! (You could even sub out the brandy for bourbon or whiskey, if you felt like it. But if it’s in Wisconsin it has to be brandy!) Whatever alcohol you choose, just remember, the more alcohol in the slush mix recipe, the less solid of a freeze you will achieve. Alcohol doesn’t freeze, remember!

    A tall pub glass is filled with brandy slush. The glass sits on a wooden coaster with a slice of lemon and an orange twist beside it. There is a bottle of brandy in the backhand left corner. Another cocktail is in the backhand right corner. The drinks are garnished with orange and lemon slices.

    Cheers to you! And cheers to me! And cheers to a slush recipe full of brandy!

    Print Recipe
    4.79 from 23 votes

    Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe

    This brandy slush recipe is a Wisconsin classic! Made with tea, orange juice, lemonade, and brandy it's a delicious big batch frozen cocktail!
    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Chilling Time12 hrs
    Total Time12 hrs 15 mins
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Brandy, Drink, Frozen, Holidays
    Servings: 20 drinks
    Calories: 198kcal
    Author: Amanda Gajdosik

    Equipment

    • Ice Cream Pail

    Ingredients

    • 8 cups water
    • 2 cups sugar
    • 5 black tea bags
    • 1 12- oz. container orange juice concentrate thawed
    • 1 12- oz. container lemonade concentrate thawed
    • 2 – 4 cups brandy more or less depending on how strong you like it
    • Lemon Lime Soda

    Instructions

    • In a large pot, bring water and sugar to boil, whisking to dissolve sugar. Remove from heat and add tea bags. Steep according to package instructions, or for three to four minutes, before removing tea bags and discarding. Let tea cool slightly before pouring into ice cream pail.
    • Stir in the orange juice concentrate, lemonade concentrate, and brandy. Mix to combine.
    • Cover pail with lid and freeze for 12 hours, or overnight.
    • When ready to serve, fill a glass halfway with slush, top with lemon-lime soda and garnish with fruit, if desired.

    Video

    Notes

    • Whiskey or bourbon can be used in place of the brandy, if desired.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6.5ounces | Calories: 198kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 70IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 10mg | Iron: 1mg

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    Comments

    1. jaicommunity says

      December 20, 2017 at 7:15 pm

      Love it - my grandmother (god rest her soul) would make Brandy slush every holiday. Thanks for sharing this - I think I'll make some to pay tribute. She died just about a year ago.

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        January 01, 2018 at 11:39 pm

        Terribly sorry for your loss but I can't think of a better way you could have honored her. Hope you had the happiest holiday!

        Reply
        • jaicommunity says

          January 01, 2018 at 11:41 pm

          We did WITH some Brandy Slush 🍻🥂

      • Allyson says

        November 16, 2022 at 1:55 pm

        My grandmother made it as well, and this one is about as close to her actually recipe as a I could find. However she used green tea instead of black tea, and 9 cups of water.

        Reply
        • Amanda Gajdosik says

          November 17, 2022 at 1:05 am

          I've never heard of using green tea! How interesting!

    2. Motorcycle Road Routes says

      December 21, 2017 at 12:55 am

      Amanda - THANK YOU for reminding me about this wonderful holiday drink. Also, a tradition at my relatives house in Kingston, WI. I too was summoned to "make another one" because the grown ups were busy playing cards and talking. Of course sneaking a sip was mandatory practice. Happy holiday to you and your family.

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        January 01, 2018 at 11:38 pm

        Thank you so much! It is just so quintessentially Midwestern - isn't it?! I love Kingston - I've visited Amish country out there a number of times!

        Reply
    3. miakouppa says

      December 21, 2017 at 12:58 am

      Orange is my favourite colour! Might just have to make this 🙂

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        January 01, 2018 at 11:38 pm

        Highly recommend!

        Reply
    4. chefkreso says

      January 02, 2018 at 12:02 pm

      Tasty drink, have to give it a try!

      Reply
    5. Kelly Harrand says

      November 18, 2020 at 10:03 pm

      So delicious! I use a whole fifth and it still slushes, just not as much. Everyone likes it a bit different- I like mine with clear wash and a dash of cherry juice, sister uses it as an old fashioned base and adds bitters and wash, my husband eats it with a spoon 🙂

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        November 19, 2020 at 12:04 am

        I like the way your husband thinks/drinks! I used to do that when I was little - sneak little spoonfuls from my grandmas basement! So happy you enjoy the recipe 🙂

        Reply
    6. David says

      December 30, 2020 at 3:46 am

      Delicious brandy slush. Maybe I come from a family of, shall we say, enthusiastic slush supporters, but I don’t recall ever having this with 7Up. We just drank it straight. Like the 7Up though! Helps you pace things out.

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        December 30, 2020 at 4:13 pm

        Ha! Oh David clearly your family knows how to have a good time! I am so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Meredith says

      December 31, 2020 at 2:30 am

      Thank you for such a great recipe! I had never had this before by my husband's family had it a ton when he was growing up for family parties...and I can see why! What a delight. Thanks again!

      Reply
      • Amanda says

        December 31, 2020 at 3:51 pm

        I am so happy to hear you enjoyed a Midwestern classic, Meredith! Thanks for making it 🙂

        Reply
    8. Seth says

      August 30, 2021 at 1:03 am

      5 stars
      My sister-in-law's favorite recipe. She's always happy when we bring a bucket of slush to family functions.

      Reply
    9. Michelle says

      July 08, 2022 at 9:44 pm

      5 stars
      It’s really good with peach brandy too!

      Reply
      • Amanda Gajdosik says

        July 12, 2022 at 2:20 pm

        Oh peach brandy would be delish! What a great idea, Michelle!

        Reply
    10. Julie says

      December 18, 2022 at 3:10 pm

      I’m making this right now and remembered that one of my jobs when I was to go to the basement freezer and stir up the slush once in a while as it as freezing to keep everything well-distributed. It was less likely to have a soft center and hard outside layer. This is almost exactly the same recipe mom used—thanks for posting this perfect holiday treat!

      Reply
      • Amanda Gajdosik says

        December 18, 2022 at 3:11 pm

        My job when I was little was going to the basement and refilling the cups of the adults! Oh the happiest memories! Enjoy, Julie! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Kelly says

      January 15, 2023 at 11:55 pm

      What about making this and serving as a punch over ice?

      Reply
      • Amanda Gajdosik says

        January 16, 2023 at 7:45 pm

        Hi Kelly,

        I'm not sure about that, as I've never tried it, but I bet it could work! Mix and chill the slush, instead of freezing and then maybe serve over ice and top the cup halfway with lemon-lime soda.

        Enjoy!

        Reply
        • Kelly says

          January 16, 2023 at 8:24 pm

          Thank you so much - now both comments are showing, but neither did before. Must be some kind of lag. I appreciate the response. I may try this as a punch and if I do will let you know how it goes.

    12. Kelly says

      January 16, 2023 at 7:51 pm

      I asked this question then received an email that there was a response, but I cannot find this question here and definitely do not see the response.

      Reply

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