The Machine That Ended My 7-Eleven Runs

I’ve always been a salty snack person. Chips over cookies, French fries over fro-yo — sweet treats were never my thing. But everything changed two years ago when I started on a GLP-1 medication. Almost overnight, my palate shifted. Suddenly, I was craving all things sweet, like cakey pastries, chocolate bars, and sugary drinks. Last summer, while on a sweet-treat-fueled 7-Eleven run, I decided to make myself a Coke-flavored Slurpee, the thought of which would have made me wince just one year prior. I was fully expecting to take one sip and hand it off to one of my kids, but I ended up finishing the whole thing. There was something about the icy, fizzy, soda-syrup blend that hit just right.

I ventured out to my 7-Eleven a few times that summer to scratch that sweet itch, only to find that the Slurpee machine was perpetually out of order — at more than one location!  After the fourth or fifth late-night disappointment, I found myself Googling at-home alternatives. That’s when I discovered the Ninja Slushi. At around $350, it’s definitely not an impulse buy, but I decided to give it a try, hoping it might become my ticket to anytime Slurpees at home. And it was worth every penny.

Ninja SLUSHi Frozen Drink & Slushie Machine

The Ninja Slushi is surprisingly easy to use. You pour in your liquid of choice — Coke for me! — and press a button. Depending on the type of drink you are making, the machine presets the slush-factor, but you can adjust it to your own tastes. Less than 30 minutes later (based on the amount you’re making), you’ve got a frosty slush that’s nearly identical to the real thing. There’s no ice or special ingredients needed.

Thinking I was going to use the machine for Coke slushies alone, the included recipe book opened my eyes to all the other sweet concoctions I could whip up in no time: coffee frappes (think Starbucks Frappuccino) and milkshakes. Both were outstandingly creamy, cold, and perfectly textured.

My one hesitation was what cleaning an appliance like this might entail. Turns out, it’s refreshingly simple thanks to its self-cleaning feature. Add warm water, hit the rinse button, and let it do its thing. And when I did remove parts to give them a quick rinse on their own, they were easy to take off and put right back on.

For me, the Slushi has been an ideal solution to a craving I never expected to have. Is it cheaper in the long run than making regular convenience store trips? I’m not sure, but it’s far more reliable and definitely more fun.

If you’re someone who loves frozen drinks, has picky kids, or just wants a creative new appliance for the summer, the Ninja Slushi is absolutely worth a try. It delivers on ease, taste, and versatility, and has unexpectedly become one of my most-used kitchen gadgets of the season.

Featured Image Credit: Courtesy of Ninja