Looking for a refreshing and unique summer drink? Learn how to make delicious wine slushies in a slush machine with this easy recipe! Our step-by-step guide includes tips for testing the Brix, the best wines to use, and how to get the perfect slush consistency. Impress your customers with this crowd-pleasing and Instagram-worthy beverage. Perfect for wineries, restaurants, festivals, and event venues. Get the full recipe now! With a slush machine and a few simple ingredients, you can make a delicious and refreshing beverage that will be a smash hit all summer long.
The Importance of Brix
Before we get started with the recipe, it’s important to understand the concept of Brix. Brix is a measure of the sugar content in a liquid solution, expressed as degrees Brix (°Bx). Essentially, it tells you how many grams of sucrose are present per 100 grams of liquid solution. In the case of wine slushies, the mixture needs to be at a certain Brix level for the slush machine to work properly.
What is Brix?
Brix is measured on a scale of 1 to 100, with 1 representing a low sugar content and 100 representing a high sugar content. A Brix level of 12, give or take 1, is ideal for wine slushies.
When making wine slushies, it’s important to ensure that the mixture is at the right Brix level for the slush machine to work properly. If the mixture is too low in sugar, it won’t freeze properly, and if it’s too high in sugar, it will freeze too quickly and become icy.
The Ultimate Wine Slushie Recipe
Now that we understand the importance of Brix, let’s talk ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make wine slushies in a slush machine:
- Two large bottles of inexpensive red wine
- One gallon of grape juice
- One gallon of lemonade
The Wine
When it comes to making wine slushies, it’s important to choose the right type of wine. Inexpensive red wines are often the best option as they are typically sweet and have lower alcohol content. Additionally, fruity and light-bodied wines like Beaujolais or Zinfandel are great for making slushies as they have a strong fruit flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of the grape juice and lemonade. However, it’s always a good idea to experiment with different wines and find the perfect one that suits your taste buds. Ultimately, the wine you choose will depend on your personal preference and the occasion. You can use this as an opportunity to highlight regional wines and wineries as well.
The Mixers
The use of lemonade and grape juice in this recipe adds a delightful balance of sweetness and tartness to the wine slushies. It might seem like an overly sweet mixture before it’s frozen, but once frozen, it will taste less sweet due to the effects of cold temperatures on taste buds. We promise this makes for a perfectly sweet wine slush! The grape juice enhances the flavor of the red wine while the lemonade provides a refreshing citrusy twist. This combination not only makes for a delicious and unique taste but also gives the slushies a beautiful, vibrant color that is sure to impress your guests. Additionally, the affordability of the ingredients used in this recipe makes it an excellent option for those who want to serve a crowd without breaking the bank.
The Method
You can’t sip without the slush. Here’s how to do it (spoiler alert: it could not be any easier):
Start with a Sanitized Mixing Container
Start by ensuring that your mixing container is sanitized to avoid any contamination.
Do Not Mix the Product in the Machine
It’s important to mix the ingredients outside of the slush machine to avoid damaging the machine’s motor. Mix the two large bottles of red wine, one gallon of grape juice, and one gallon of lemonade together in the sanitized mixing container.
Testing the Brix
Now that you’ve mixed your ingredients, it’s time to test the Brix level. Here’s how:
What is a Refractometer?
A refractometer is a device that measures the specific gravity of liquids. It’s the easiest way to test the Brix level of your mixture.
Test Sample of Product
Take a sample of your mixture and place it on the refractometer’s testing surface.
Need Mixture Reading to be 12, + or -1
The Brix level should read around 12 degrees, give or take 1 degree.
If the Reading is Below 11, Add More Grape Juice
If the reading is below 11 degrees, you’ll need to add more grape juice to increase the sugar content. Add just a little extra at a time and test again before adjusting any further.
If the Reading is Above 13, Add Some Water
If the reading is above 13 degrees, you’ll need to add some water to decrease the sugar content. Once you’ve adjusted the mixture, test it again with the refractometer to ensure that it’s at the ideal Brix level.
Make It Slush!
Now that your mixture is at the ideal Brix level, it’s time to add it to your slush machine and let it freeze. It takes about an hour to freeze to a slush consistency.
With this simple recipe, affordable ingredients, simple steps, and the right equipment, you are well on your way to making refreshing wine slushies that are sure to impress your concessions customers. As a concession purveyor looking to sell wine slushies, you want to make sure that you have access to the best quality products, equipment, and concession programs. This is where Allen Associates comes in. With our Fun Food Programs, we can provide you with the essentials so you can dish out the perfect wine slushies. But we won’t stop at equipment sales. We back all of our product knowledge up with great service and support, too. Our in-house service department is staffed with factory-trained service techs who work on everything from slush machines to replacing popcorn machine heating elements. Our Silver Preventive Maintenance Program can also help you keep your equipment up, running, and profitable all year long. With Allen Associates by your side, ready to become the go-to spot for wine slushies and stand out in the crowd?