Nothing embodies the spirit of summer quite like a perfectly blended icy beverage. From thirst-quenching lemonade to rejuvenating smoothies, chilled refreshment is never more than a blender's whirl away. Tap into the wisdom of former F&W food editor, Kelsey Youngman, and learn her secrets to making frozen drinks that are flawlessly blended and luxuriously creamy.

Kelsey initiates the lesson by unveiling the most effective manner to stack ingredients in the blender, the recipe for "the smoothest, creamiest, exceptionally tantalizing frozen drinks each time". Begin with your liquid at the base (it ensures a continuous flow of the ingredients), followed by "lightweight but fibrous greens" (e.g., kale or spinach). Proceeding this, add the frozen fruit, and conclude with ice.

Prefer crushed ice to cubes and accomplish the crushing within the blender before introducing other ingredients. The required quantity of ice hinges on the recipe, but it's potentially less than what you reckon - adjustments are always an option if required.

Resist the lure of tossing everything into the blender, hoping for a quick blitz to hasten your beverage satisfaction. Rather, Kelsey recommends blending at a lower power for a more extended period of time. This approach enables the creation of a liquid vortex, ensuring a smoothly blended drink. In contrast, high-powered and rapid blending can induce overheating which can lead to a disappointingly melted drink. With blender safely off, feel free to inspect viscosity by giving your concoction a gentle swirl.

Got some spare fruit on hand? Perfect! Summer favorites like honeydew and mangoes can easily find a place in your frozen mixology. Kelsey advocates that self-frozen fresh fruit or flash-frozen fruit will yeild best results.

The cleaning up can be as simple as the blending itself. Using the blender function, add "sufficient water just covering the blades along with a small quantity of your dish soap." Post-cleaning, you're all equipped for your upcoming slushy sessions.

Now that you're armed with these pro tips, explore our eclectic collection of frozen cocktail recipes, which encompasses everything from the chic Salted Espresso Martini to the vibrant Miami Vice.