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Recipe: The perfect citrus slushy suitable for the long weekend

Enjoy it as is or top up with tequila or mezcal to turn it into a boozy brunch cocktail that comes together in no time thanks to your blender

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By Bon Appetit US | August 5, 2022 | Recipes

recipe, coktail, citrus, long weekend, house and garden
Citrus slushy

I haven’t done summer right until I’ve had a brain freeze from slurping a drink too fast. This recipe leans on the powerful blender to do all the work, whirring up a combination of frozen peeled orange and lemon wheels with maple syrup, salt, and cayenne pepper resulting in a refreshingly sweet, salty, and sour slushy that we couldn’t stop drinking in the test kitchen. Enjoy it as is or top up with tequila or mezcal to turn it into a boozy brunch cocktail that comes together in no time thanks to your blender. —Rachel Gurjar

INGREDIENTS

  • 4 large navel oranges, plus wedges for serving
  • 2 large lemons, plus wedges for serving
  • 3 Tbsp. pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp. (or more) cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt

RECIPE PREPARATION

  • Remove zest and white pith from 4 oranges and 2 lemons; discard. Slice citrus into 1”-thick rounds and remove seeds; discard. Arrange in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until firm, at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
  • Transfer frozen citrus to a blender and add maple syrup, cayenne, salt, 10 ice cubes, and about ½ cup water. Blend, adding more water 1 Tbsp. at a time if too thick to blend, until smooth. Taste and add more cayenne if desired.
  • Divide slushy among glasses and garnish with orange and lemon wedges. Makes 4

Recipe by Rachel Gurjar | Food Styling: Caroline Hwang