As a kid, you were first on your block to have a Snoopy Sno-Cone machine. (No wonder you’re still enamored with super-slushy drinks.) These days, you no longer have to crank out your own; plenty of bars offer their own variations on frozen sips with an alcoholic kick. That Snoopy recipe never called for Triple Sec, did it? One caution: Gulp down too many of these potent potables, and you might get brain freeze.
Cherries Jubilee Spiked Snowball
“Snowballs”–hand-packed, shaved-ice treats doused with flavored syrup–are a hit in hot and humid New Orleans. So it’s only fitting that Cajun chef Jimmy Bannos brings a drink based on the Big Easy fave to Heaven on Seven. His version combines orange Curacao, cherry liqueur, brandy and fresh-squeezed lemon juice over finely crushed ice ($9.95). Order one and make like it’s Mardi Gras. At the 600 N. Michigan Ave. location only. 312-280-7774.
Vodka Pops
Want a really big freeze? Skip the glass and grab a few of these pre-mixed frozen drinks served in 7-ounce, plastic popsicle tubes (think Fla-Vor-Ice; $5) at Cherry Red and Joy-Blue. Suck down one–or several, you lush–in one of these flavors: Peach Squared, made with Stoli Peach and Peach Freeze; Cherry Bomb, made with Black Cherry Vodka and Cherry Freeze; and Joy-Blue, made with Absolut Mandarin and Blue Freeze. Cherry Red, 2833 N. Sheffield Ave. 773-477-3661. Joy-Blue, 3998 N. Southport Ave. 773-477-3330.
Coconut Breeze
If we could have one request to make our alcoholic slushies even more scintillating, we’d ask for a little more tropics in our ‘tinis. Le Colonial takes care of that tall order with this mix of Malibu Rum, pineapple juice and–ah, island paradise in a glass–coconut sorbet ($9). 937 N. Rush St. 312-255-0088.
Fat Eddie’s Banana Foster
If you’ve gorged on Bananas Foster–bananas fried in a cinnamon-caramel sauce and flavored with rum–then you’ll go ape for this likeminded frozen cocktail that’s whipped up at Hard Drive. Its blend of Myer’s Rum, Oasis Banana mix and vanilla ice cream is served in a high-boy glass topped with whipped cream and a wedge of pineapple or orange ($9).
C’mon, who doesn’t love a liquid dessert? 151 E. Wacker Drive. 312-239-4544.
Bacardi Limon Cherry Pucker
Give your night a tart start with this slushy specialty at Roscoe’s Tavern. The recipe is super-simple (it’s just frozen Bacardi Limon and Cherry Pucker), but you won’t care how hard the bartenders worked when you start to feel its potent effects. Kick back with a few on the sidewalk cafe and, before you know it, you’ll be making your way to the dance floor. $6 ($5 on Monday and Wednesday). 3356 N. Halsted St. 773-281-3355.
Frosty Pina Colada
If you’re going to hang around Millennium Park lamenting why you can only see part of The Bean, why not have a buzz while doing it? Park Grill on the Plaza, the 400-seat onsite eatery, offers a menu of frozen drinks. Our favorite is this blend of Bacardi Select rum and pina colada mix that’s served in a whopping, 16-ounce cup ($7). It’s, like, totally tropical. 11 N. Michigan Ave. 312-521-7275.
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metromix@tribune.com
