A cosy festive drink made in the Ninja Slushie Maker
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about apples and cinnamon at Christmas. It smells like holidays, feels like comfort, and tastes like childhood… but in this case, with a cheeky grown-up twist if you want one.
This Apple & Cinnamon Christmas Slushie is cold, refreshing and still somehow cosy — the perfect drink for a warm Australian Christmas. Think apple pie meets Christmas punch meets an icy slush you can sip on the deck while the kids tear open presents and the house gently explodes around you.
Because it’s made in the Ninja Slushie Maker, you don’t need ice, frozen fruit bags or anything complicated. Just mix the liquid, chill it well, pour it into the Ninja and let the machine turn it into a smooth, icy Christmas slush.
It’s effortless, festive and absolutely perfect for Christmas morning, pre-lunch drinks, or afternoon “I need to sit down for five minutes” moments.
I have to give a shout out to my all time favorite slushie cup these Margarita double wall tumblers are perfect for all cocktail types. I was gifted a pair of these for Christmas and I am in Love and use mine every slushie mix!
Why this Christmas slushie works so well
- The Ninja Slushie Maker creates a thick, icy texture without watering anything down
- Apple and cinnamon feel instantly festive, without being heavy
- You can serve it alcohol-free for the kids or add a splash of rum or bourbon for the adults
- It’s refreshing enough for hot Aussie summers but still feels like Christmas
- The flavour is like drinking cold apple pie (which is never a bad thing)
Ingredients
(Serves 2–3, easily doubled for parties)
- 2 cups apple juice, chilled
- ½ cup cloudy apple cider (non-alcoholic or alcoholic, your choice)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1–2 teaspoons cinnamon syrup or ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or honey (optional, adjust to taste)
- Optional: a splash of spiced rum, bourbon or apple schnapps for a grown-up version
Method
- Mix the base
Stir together the apple juice, apple cider, lemon juice, cinnamon and sweetener. - Chill well
Pop the mixture in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
The colder the mixture, the thicker your slushie will be. - Into the Ninja
Pour the cold mixture into the Ninja Slushie Maker.
Run the slush or milkshake setting until it thickens into a smooth, icy slush. - Serve immediately
Pour into chilled glasses and finish with a cinnamon stick or apple slice and a Christmas Straw. Short on time? use dried Apples.
That’s it — two minutes of effort and you’re holding a Christmas drink that tastes like it came straight from a festive market.
Make it extra festive
A few little touches can turn this into a proper Christmas moment:
- Dip the rims of the glasses in cinnamon sugar
- Add star-shaped apple slices on top (use a small cookie cutter)
- Sprinkle a tiny pinch of nutmeg over the slushie
- Serve with red-and-white straws for a Christmas look
- Top with pomegranate seeds for colour
Christmas adult version
If you want a grown-up Christmas treat, add:
- 1 shot spiced rum for a warm, festive finish
- 1 shot bourbon for a rich apple-pie flavour
- 1 shot vanilla vodka for a sweeter dessert-drink twist
All of them work beautifully with apple and cinnamon.
Make-ahead Christmas tip
Mix the liquid base on Christmas Eve and keep it chilled in a jug or liquid bag.
In the morning, all you have to do is pour it into the Ninja and blend — no measuring, no faffing around.
Perfect for busy Christmas kitchens.
