Two numbers to know
- Strength (ABV) of the whole mix — this decides whether it will freeze.
- UK units per glass — this is what matters for your health. One unit is 10 ml of pure alcohol.
The NHS formula is: ABV (%) × volume (ml) ÷ 1,000 = units. So 200 ml of 37.5% vodka is 37.5 × 200 ÷ 1,000 = 7.5 units.
The machines’ limits
| Machine | Limit for the whole mix |
|---|---|
| Ninja SLUSHi (FS301UK), cocktail setting | 2.8–16% ABV |
| Ninja SLUSHi with SlushAssist (FS351UK) | up to 16% |
| Ninja SLUSHi XL, MAX and Twist | up to 20% |
| Tower Slushie Fusion, Cuisinart Frost Fusion | no figure published |
If the original SLUSHi detects too much alcohol it flashes its lights and beeps; Ninja’s fix is to dilute with about 59 ml of water for every 237 ml of mix.
Why neat vodka won’t slush
Vodka is usually 37.5–40% ABV — far above any machine’s limit. Alcohol lowers the freezing point of the mix, and too much stops it freezing at all (why). To bring 200 ml of 37.5% vodka down to about 4.5%, the batch needs to total around 1,650 ml — which is exactly what our vodka & lemonade slush does.
Wine and frozé
A 12% rosé is already inside the original SLUSHi’s 2.8–16% range, but most rosé is dry, so it won’t slush without added sugar. Our frozé adds sugar syrup and a little water.
Don’t forget the sugar
Spirits add volume but no sugar, so they dilute the sugar too. A mix that is fine before the vodka goes in can fall below 4% after. Check with the calculator.
Keep it sensible
Frozen cocktails are cold, sweet and easy to drink quickly, which can make the alcohol harder to notice. Our recipes aim for roughly 1 to 1.5 units per glass.
- The UK Chief Medical Officers advise not regularly drinking more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days, with several drink-free days (guidelines).
- Don’t drink if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy (NHS), or if you’re driving.
- Never serve frozen cocktails to under-18s, and keep them well away from children’s slush — see the safety guide.
- Drinkaware has unit calculators and support; the NHS lists where to get help.