Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe

The Wisconsin brandy slush is a refreshing frozen cocktail that’s been a staple at parties and gatherings across the state for decades! What makes our recipe special is the addition of black tea, which adds subtle flavor and helps balance the sweetness from the juice concentrates. The result is a slushy, ice cold cocktail that’s not too sweet and incredibly easy to make ahead. Just mix everything together, freeze it in an ice cream pail, and scoop out servings whenever you want one!

My husband grew up with brandy slush at every single Christmas party, most often with the bucket of slush sitting in the snowbank out back on the deck to keep it cold (very Wisconsin, right?). His hot take on brandy slush is that “any drink served out of an old ice cream bucket sitting in the snow bank isn’t a fancy drink. This is the drinking in the garage kind of drink!” And honestly, he’s not wrong. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun with it and dress it up with pretty garnishes when we want to!

Like so many Wisconsin traditions, this drink is just another excuse to enjoy brandy (we’re the largest consumer of brandy in the entire US!). Brandy slush is one of those recipes that gets shared at parties and passed down through families, with everyone putting their own spin on it. But the essence stays the same: a boozy, slushy, incredibly refreshing cocktail that disappears fast at any gathering

What is a Wisconsin Brandy Slush?

A Wisconsin brandy slush is a frozen cocktail that’s wildly popular throughout Wisconsin, especially at summer gatherings, weddings, and holiday parties. It’s made by mixing brandy with sweetened tea, fruit juice concentrates (usually orange juice and lemonade), and water, then freezing the mixture in an ice cream pail until it becomes slushy. When you’re ready to serve, you scoop the frozen slush into a glass and top it with lemon-lime soda (7up is the classic choice).

This drink is a true Wisconsin staple, right up there with Old Fashioneds, Brandy Alexanders, Tom & Jerrys, and brandy in general (we consume more brandy per capita than anywhere else in the country!). The slushy texture makes it incredibly refreshing, and because it’s stored in the freezer, you can scoop out individual servings whenever you want one. It’s the ultimate make-ahead party drink!

What You’ll Need For This Wisconsin Brandy Slush Recipe

• Water. Forms the base of the slush and helps create that perfect slushy texture after the cocktail mixture is frozen.
• Granulated sugar. Sweetens the mixture and helps prevent it from freezing completely solid (the sugar lowers the freezing point).
• Black tea bags. Add subtle flavor and help balance the sweetness (decaf Lipton tea bags work great so you don’t have to worry about caffeine).
• Orange juice concentrate, thawed. Brings citrus flavor and natural sweetness to the slush.
• Lemonade concentrate, thawed. Adds tart, lemony brightness that balances the sweetness.
• Brandy. The star ingredient! You can add 2 to 4 cups depending on how strong you like your cocktails.
• Lemon-lime soda. Used to top each glass when serving. 7up is the classic choice, but you can use Sprite, Sierra Mist, or whatever other lemon-lime soda you like.
• Optional: garnish. Orange slices, lemon slices, or maraschino cherries all make a nice garnish for this drink.

You’ll find complete ingredient measurements and all recipe details in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.

What Kind of Brandy For Brandy Slush?

Honestly, if you’re from outside of Wisconsin, you’ve probably never bought a bottle of brandy… but welcome, we’re here to help! For a true Wisconsin brandy slush, use Korbel brandy. Other good options include Christian Brothers, E&J, or any brandy you enjoy drinking. You don’t need to use an expensive brandy since it’s mixed with other ingredients, but choose something you’d be happy to drink on its own.

How to Make Brandy Slush

Make the sweet tea base. In a large pot, bring the water and sugar to a low boil, whisking to dissolve the sugar completely.

Remove from heat and add the tea bags. Let them steep 5-10 minutes, then remove and discard the tea bags. Let the tea mixture cool to room temperature.

Transfer to your container and add the concentrates and brandy. Pour the cooled tea mixture into a large ice cream pail.

Stir in the thawed orange juice concentrate, lemonade concentrate, and brandy. Mix everything together until well combined, ensuring that if any of the concentrates were still a bit frozen you’ve broken them up.

Freeze. Cover the pail with its lid and place in the freezer for at least 12 hours or overnight.

Alternative embrace your Midwestern winter and plop your bucket in a snowbank! The mixture will freeze into a slushy consistency (not completely solid).

Scoop and serve with soda. When ready to serve, scoop the frozen slush into a glass until it’s about ½ – ⅔ full.

Top with lemon-lime soda (like 7up).

Give it a gentle stir.

Garnish if desired, and enjoy!

Variation Ideas

Make it stronger. If desired, you can kick up the amount of brandy in your slush! We’re starting with 2 cups of brandy, but you can add up to 4 cups if desired. Just remember, alcohol doesn’t freeze, so more brandy will result in a less solid freeze.

Swap out the brandy. Ok, ok, if you’re in Wisconsin, it’s got to be brandy! But… bourbon or whiskey are other great choices for this fun and refreshing slushy cocktail.

How to Serve a Brandy Slush

• Serve brandy slush in a lowball glass, rocks glass, or even a plastic cup for casual outdoor gatherings. Or as my husband will tell you… any vessel that you can easily scoop your frozen slush into works for this no-frills drink! Fill the glass about ½ – ⅔ full with the frozen slush, then top with 7up.
• Making for a crowd (this is taken care of for you!). This recipe already makes a large batch (about 16 to 20 servings depending on glass size), so it’s ideal for parties. Just set out the ice cream pail, provide glasses and 7up, and let your guests serve themselves! The slush stays good in the freezer for several months, so you can make it way ahead of time.
• Over ice or not? You don’t need ice since the slush itself is frozen! The soda will melt some of the slush as you drink it, creating the ideal slushy consistency throughout.
• What pairs well with this drink? Brandy slush is delicious paired with a meat and cheese plate (we’re not talking fancy charcuterie here, just simple summer sausage, cheddar cheese, and some Ritz crackers). It’s also especially good with grilled foods (burgers, brats, chicken) on a hot summer day, and can also be used as a standalone sipper at parties.