These days there are lots of alcohol frozen drink pouches on

the market. These are great for a tasty cool treat in summer, but you can’t recycle the container. Here is an idea to make a frozen drink using small bottles that you would otherwise toss in the recycling bin.

Step 1:

You will need:

A quantity of small plastic bottles

Recipe ingredients (recipe at end)

4 Quart saucepan

Funnel

Measuring cup with pouring lip

Straws

The number of bottles you will need depends on the size of the bottles you saved from the recycler and whether or not you are going to add soda to the bottle when serving. I ended up using 12 (10 oz) plastic water bottles. I don’t recommend glass bottles because of the danger of the bottle shattering if filled too full. (The plastic bottle will also shatter if filled too full, but I’d rather deal with plastic shards if I make a mistake than glass shards.)

Step 2:

Bring the water and sugar to a boil in the saucepan. Add the concentrates and mix well. Turn off the heat once the sugar has dissolved. Once the liquid is cool enough to handle. (You should be able to stick your finger in the liquid without saying bad words), add the alcohol. I know the picture shows me just dumping in the bottle, but I was just kidding, measure it. Too much alcohol and it won’t freeze properly, too little and it will take forever to thaw.

Step 3:

After you add the rum and brandy, use a pitcher or measuring cup with a pour spout and funnel to fill bottles about ½ to 2/3 full. Place in freezer. (Man, I need to defrost that thing) Take out of the freezer about 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Stick in a straw and add soda if you like (at most of the parties I attended, parents drank the straight slush and the kids finished off the soda). If you are taking these to a friend’s party, toss them in a cooler and they should be fine when you arrive. The recipe mentions a variation with alcohol soaked fruit. This would be fine if you are using wide mouthed bottles, but I wouldn’t recommend it if the bottles you are using have a small opening.

Step 4:

I adapted this recipe from one I found years ago in one of those supermarket recipe booklets that you find by the checkout.

Slush

3 cups water

¾ cup sugar

36 oz frozen drink concentrate, your choice of flavors

1 pint Rum

1 pint Brandy

Lemon Lime Soda

Bring water and sugar to a boil (3 minutes). Thaw concentrates and mix with water in a non-metal 1 gallon container with a wide rim (I like a Thermos water jug). Add rum and brandy. Freeze at least 12 hours. Thaw 15 minutes before serving. Mix in glass with lemon lime drink.

Variation: I like to soak fruit in alcohol and add it to the container when partially frozen. If you add it too soon, it will just sink down to the bottom.