The 7 Best Frozen Drinks In Chicago
By Staff in Best Of on Jul 8, 2015 9:20PM
The best way to beat the heat in Chicago isn’t just taking a dip in the lake or catching a breeze on a boat; it’s enjoying the warmer months with an icy cool beverage in hand. And yes, some summers in Chicago can feel not-so-summery, but that's all the more reason to grab a cold one, shrug and remind yourself it’s still better than January. Thankfully Chicago has many options for those of us who prefer a frozen treat over a frosty pint.
Today we share some of our favorite frozen drinks around Chicago. From the sweet and boozy to the smooth and creamy, these are some of our favorite cocktails to indulge in when we need a cool down or just a delicious drink.
(Photo: Jessica Mlinaric for Chicagoist)
Mango Lassi at Pub Royale
There's something to be said for drinking your dessert, and Pub Royale's mango lassi takes the cake. Their boozy edition of the classic yogurt and mango drink adds rum, honey and bitters, running it all through a slushy machine for a frosty refresher topped with paprika and mint. The indulgence of the mango lassi's creamy composition and ample alcohol are balanced by its tangy, juicy flavor. Order it after grubbing on British-Indian pub fare or sip it solo on Pub Royale's patio.— Jessica Mlinaric
Pub Royale is located at 2049 W. Division St.
Ramos at Analogue
My love of Analogue is pretty well known, but who could blame me when this Logan Square spot is serving up some of the best New Orleans cuisine around. Their food is outstanding but their beverage program, carefully crafted and seasonal, is also full of wonderful choices, good variety and creativity. One of my current favorite options on the menu (and my favorite summer drink this season) is their frozen daiquiris. When I saw them installing the frozen drink machine, I knew this would be good news—and they did not disappoint. They offer up two options: a Hurricane and Ramos. Both are great, but the creamy, smooth Ramos is my favorite. Packed with City of London gin, lemon, lime, orange flower water and cream, it’s a simple drink that is refreshing and balanced—the perfect cure for a hot summer day. Their blend is spot on, not too icy and super smooth. It’s the perfect drink to enjoy as you dine on red beans and rice (with a “side” of fried pork chop) and you’ll easily find yourself knocking back a few delicious rounds. — Lisa White
Analogue is located at 2523 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The Original Negroni Slushy at Parson’s
A day or an evening in the fun outdoor space at Parson's wouldn't be complete without an Original Negroni Slushy. (Editor's Note: Parson's also serves other delicious slushy flavors that rotate. If their Dark 'N' Stormy is on tap, make sure to grab one!) Letherbee gin, luxardo bitters, sweet vermouth and citrus combine to deliver a perfect summer slush cocktail. It packs a punch and has both a sweet flavor with the citrus and vermouth and a savory hint via the gin and bitters. Its orangey color gives this summer drink an easygoing and sunny disposition that insists that "Negroni time" is "chill out time" (pun intended). — Carrie McGath
Parson’s is located at 2952 W Armitage Ave.
(Photo courtesy of Drumbar)
In Love With The Coco at Drumbar
Head bartender Whitney Morrow created this luxuriously creamy cocktail out of Dark Matter cold brew coffee, house-made caramel, coconut milk, Don Q’s Añejo rum and a topping of cocoa nibs. It’s a perfect summer drink for enjoying Drumbar’s scenic rooftop. — Melissa McEwen
Drumbar is located at 201 E. Delaware Pl.
Tic Tac Taxi at Lost Lake
Maybe it’s the brutal winters and our need for an island-inspired oasis. Maybe it’s our trust in whatever Paul McGee is slinging behind the bar. Whatever it is, the Tiki Bar is alive and well in Chicago. After a few visits to Lost Lake my go-to has quickly become the Tic Tac Taxi. A drink unique to the new Logan Square hotspot, it’s made with aged multi-island rum, overproof Jamaican rum, coconut, passionfruit and lime. It’s a simple, strong and served in a coconut glass. The fact that it’s a slushy and served with a neon bendy straw means it goes down a little too easy. But luckily the folks at at Thank You Chinese next door are always cooking up delicious food to balance out all that rum. — Gina Provenzano
Lost Lake is located at 3154 W. Diversey Ave.
Watermelon Margarita Slushies at Q-Tine
I’ll be honest; when Q-Tine finally opened in Logan Square a few weeks back, I was more excited to try their slushy Coq-tails than anything else on the menu. Don’t get me wrong, I love barbecue—but the poutine combo that is this spot’s hook made me backpedal (I know, hating cheese curds and gravy is so un-American and un-Canadian at the very same time). When a group of us gathered for a friend’s birthday the table got a round of the watermelon margarita slushies that were on tap for the night, and they were pretty much downed before our brisket hit the table. For $10, the portion was pretty sizable at 16 oz. and also pretty balanced with the amount of tequila vs. mix. Watermelon is a rather refreshing taste profile when you’re drowning in a variety of spicy and savory sauces, too. Q-Tine’s online menu hints that there may be a selection of classics planned, so expect to go back all summer to try them all, frozen headache be damned! —Selena Fragassi
Q-Tine is located at 2339 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Mai Tai at The Dawson
A Mai Tai is a practice in patience and perfection, especially if making orgeat (toasted almond syrup with orange flower or rose water) from scratch. While making the syrup doesn’t require advanced cooking skills per se, straining anything through cheese cloth can be cumbersome and intimidating for non-chefs. At Clint Rogers’ Dawson, of course they make their own orgeat! and naturally they freeze-blend it together with rum, Cointreau, and lime for their signature frozen cocktail, garnished with a mint sprig that crunches on first bite. Add their gorgeous patio and well, don't call me for a while! — Kristine Sherred
The Dawson is located at 730 W. Grand Ave.