Homemade Frozen Spritz with the Ninja Slushi

Forget the blender that drowns out the flavors under crushed ice: the Slushi allows you to achieve the authentic granita texture of the famous Italian aperitif. During my first attempt, I used sparkling water: the carbonation hinders the freezing process, so flat water works much better. The result is a refreshing cocktail with a beautiful balance between fruity bitterness and that deliciously chilled sensation that is easy to sip through a straw.

Homemade Frozen Spritz with the Ninja Slushi

Recipe by Camille RoosCourse: Frozen cocktailCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy

Servings

4

people

Prep

5

minutes

Freeze time

1

hour 

Total time

1

hour 

5

minutes

A frozen version of the famous Italian aperitif, perfectly balanced through the use of flat water and syrup to compensate for the machine’s churning action.

Ingredients

• 300 ml Prosecco

• 200 ml Aperol

• 200 ml orange juice (no pulp)

• 150 ml cane sugar syrup

• 150 ml flat water

Instructions

• In a container, mix the Prosecco, Aperol, orange juice, sugar syrup, and water. The flat water and syrup compensate for the inevitable loss of effervescence caused by the churning.
• Pour the mixture into the Ninja Slushi bowl, ensuring the level is between the min and max marks (approximately 1 liter of liquid in total).
• Select the Frozen Cocktail program and let the machine work until you achieve a nicely frosted texture that can be sipped through a straw.
• Serve immediately in large glasses, garnished with a half-slice of orange.

Alcohol-free version (Virgin Spritz)

Alcohol-free version (Virgin Spritz): Replace the Prosecco and Aperol with a Spritz-flavored syrup (or alcohol-free bitter) topped up with flat lemonade or water, and use the Slush program.

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The subtle balance of sugar and alcohol

The secret to a good cocktail in the Slushi always lies in mastering the freezing point. Aperol and Prosecco contain alcohol, which acts as a powerful natural antifreeze. If you simply pour the bottle directly into the bowl, your preparation will never turn to ice. This is why adding cane sugar syrup is essential: it provides structure to the granita and offsets the effect of the alcohol. Furthermore, intense cold tends to numb our taste buds a little, reducing the perception of sweetness. What might seem a bit too sweet to you at room temperature will be perfectly balanced when tasted. If you like sweet and fruity flavors, you can also take a look at my alcohol-free frozen lychee recipe with the Ninja Slushi to explore other dosage tips.

Why say goodbye to sparkling water?

It’s the mistake we all make the first time: wanting to reproduce the traditional recipe to the letter by adding sparkling water or a splash of club soda. The problem is that carbon dioxide disrupts ice formation in the appliance’s bowl. The machine will continuously churn the liquid, which will inevitably degas your drink within minutes. Worse, the foam generated can sometimes deceive the sensors and trigger errors. This is the reason I always replace the sparkling component with a mixture of flat water and orange juice, without pulp so as not to clog the auger. We regain the authentic taste of the Italian aperitif, with an impeccable hold in the glass. For another original aperitif idea, the frozen Virgin Mary with the Ninja Slushi is a great savory alternative!

Classic orange slice or green olive to garnish your frozen spritz?

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Campari instead of Aperol?

Yes, but Campari has a higher alcohol content (25% compared to 11%). You will need to add a little more sugar syrup and water so the mixture freezes correctly on the Frozen Cocktail program.

How long does it take for the spritz to set?

With ingredients at room temperature, expect about 60 minutes. If your Prosecco and juice bottles are fresh out of the refrigerator, the time will be reduced.

Can I prepare the mixture in advance?

Absolutely! You can mix all the liquids in a bottle and keep it in the fridge. Simply pour it into the bowl an hour before your guests arrive.

Why is my machine flashing without making a granita?

This is often because the mixture is not sweet enough to counteract the alcohol, or you have exceeded the Max line in the bowl. Add a splash of syrup and restart.