The Best Frozen Cocktails In Chicago

By Anthony Todd in Food on Jul 28, 2017 5:16PM

The OG trendy frozen drink at Parsons. Photo by Anthony Todd.

By Rebecca Skoch

The frozen drink trend in Chicago is bigger than ever, with fancy cocktail spots and dive bars alike turning on the drink machines and turning out boozy slush. Everyone knows about the Parson's Negroni Slush, but what about the rest of these drinks? A good frozen cocktail is literally one of the greatest things in the world on a late-summer afternoon, but a bad one is like brain freeze combined with a hangover.

That's why we scoured the city to find the best. These are the 9 best frozen cocktails in Chicago.

Parson's: Monsieur Coconut

The frozen negroni at Parson’s has long been summer’s frozen cocktail darling, but this year its dominance has been usurped by the delightfully named Monsieur Coconut, a boozy concoction of 80 proof Rhum JM, coconut, lime juice and cardamom. Sweet and strong, it tastes like the trust-fund version of Bacardi coconut rum (and we mean that in the best possible way). For those feeling adventurous, order half the frozen negroni and half the coconut for a sophisticated take on a Miami Vice that hits the perfect balance of bitter and sweet.
Parson's is located at 2952 W. Armitage Ave.

Spilt Milk: Frozen Coffee

With a new patio out back, you’ll be surprised what a quiet oasis Spilt Milk is, despite the bustle of traffic on the corner of California and Fullerton. Our favorite frozen drink here is not for the faint of heart. The Frozen Coffee is a surge of sugar, caffeine and alcohol that combine to make a bracingly cold drink that acts as the perfect pick-me-up. Metric Roaster's Hellion Cold Brew and Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey are sweetened with Galliano Ristretto, a coffee liqueur that adds notes of bitter chocolate to the drink.
Spilt Milk is located at 2758 W. Fullerton Ave.

Lost Lake: Banana Daiquiri

When that Chicago summer humidity gets a little too overwhelming for lounging on a patio, the next best thing is to hide inside Logan Square’s Lost Lake. While the tropical paradise serves a variety of frozen menu items (regular drinks can also be made frozen, like the Daily Daiquiri served as a frappe), you can’t go wrong with the classic Banana Daiquiri. A blend of three kinds of rum, banana, coconut and lime juice, this icy drink is topped with a banana dolphin garnish that has two important purposes—charming first-time guests and serving as a tasty snack.
Lost Lake is located at 3154 W. Diversey Ave.

The most adorable banana in Chicago at Lost Lake. Photo via Facebook.

Punch House: Sno Kone

Tucked below Dusek’s in Pilsen, Punch House has a charming retro vibe and serves up both classic cocktails and new creations. Embrace your inner kid by indulging in an old-timey sno kone served in the traditional white waxed paper cone. Don’t be fooled by its’ appearance, this treat has a decidedly adult twist—any of the drinks on the menu can be poured over the top. We’re partial to the understated and floral Gin Blossom, made with Letherbee gin, Lillet Rose, hop tea, grapefruit and lime.
Punch House is located at 1227 W. 18th St.

Best Intentions: Wondermint Malted

The Best Intentions patio has been updated this year, with additional standing-room tables added to take on the growing crowd drinking amid twinkling lights and under the watchful eye of a large metal parrot. There’s no better treat on a hot summer night then a chilly Wondermint Malted, the quintessential nitecap and one of the bar’s signature drinks. Made with Death’s Door Wondermint liqueur, Broker’s gin and Luxardo hazelnut, the Wondermint is complex, smooth and creamy—basically, a boozy milkshake.
Best Intentions is located at 3281 W. Armitage Ave.

Simon's Tavern: Frozen Glögg

Simon’s Tavern is Andersonville’s favorite dive bar and an unexpected spot to find taking part in the frozen cocktail trend. At Simon’s, they regularly serve up Glögg, a mulled wine popular in Scandinavia. During the winter, they serve it piping hot, but during the city’s sweltering summer months Simon’s whips it into a frosty delight. Made with muscatel, port and brandy, Glögg has the rich flavor of red wine, with the bitter tannins tamed by the cool temperature and hint of sweetness.
Simon's Tavern is located at 5210 N. Clark St.

Estereo: Frozen

Hip and breezy, this Logan Square hangout is part coffee shop and part cocktail bar, but they sling drinks all day. The frozen drink at Estereo is aptly named just that—Frozen. The name stays the same but the drink often changes, and the current iteration is made with pisco, pineapple, lime juice and Cocchi Americano. Light and refreshing, it is the ideal choice for keeping cool during a long summer afternoon.
Estereo is located at 2450 N. Milwaukee Ave.

The Sixth: Raspberry Frozé

This sleek cocktail den in Ravenswood is known for its beautifully executed and inventive cocktails. With the addition of a street-side patio to help when crowds start to gather, those standing outside can keep cool outside with a frosty drink. Available only on the patio, the Sixth has recently introduced their Raspberry Frose, made with French rosé. The bar’s raspberry syrup sets this apart from other frozen rosés in the city, balancing the drink’s brisk dryness with a zippy tang of fruit flavor.
The Sixth is located at 2202 W. Lawrence Ave.

The Rhubarb Julep at Big Jones. Photo by Anthony Todd.

Big Jones: Rhubarb Julep

Airy and bright with wide open windows, the dining room at Big Jones is a lovely spot to settle in on cool summer evenings. Big Jones only recently introducing frozen drinks to the cocktail menu, and their Rhubarb Julep is a show-stopper. Served in a traditional julep cup and garnished with full sprigs of fresh mint, the drink blends bourbon and mint with a tangy rhubarb shrub.
Big Jones is located at 5347 N. Clark St.