If you’ve ever stood in front of your Ninja staring at the buttons thinking, Why are there so many options and why do they all sound delicious? — you’re not alone.

Milkshake.
Slush.
Frappé.

They all promise something cold, creamy, and wonderful… but they are not interchangeable. And using the wrong setting can turn a dreamy drink into a watery disappointment (or a spoon-breaking ice brick).

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! 

After a lot of experimenting — and yes, plenty of “taste testing” — here’s the simple, no-nonsense guide to which Ninja setting to use and when, so you get the texture you actually want every time.

Why the Setting Matters More Than the Recipe

Here’s the thing most recipes don’t explain:

The Ninja isn’t just blending — it’s freezing, churning, and aerating at different speeds depending on the setting. That means the same ingredients can give you completely different results depending on which button you press.

Understanding this is the secret to:
– smoother milkshakes
– thicker slushies
– café-style frappés
– and far fewer “what went wrong?” moments

The Milkshake Setting: Creamy, Thick, Spoonable

Best For:

– classic milkshakes
– eggnog milkshakes
– chocolate, vanilla, bubblegum drinks
– creamy Christmas Ninja slushie recipes
– anything dairy-based

What It Does:

The Milkshake setting churns slowly and evenly, allowing dairy fats to thicken while freezing gently. This creates that soft-serve, ice-cream-shop texture we all love.

It doesn’t smash ice aggressively — instead, it smooths and thickens.

Use This Setting When:

Your recipe includes:
– milk
– cream
– ice cream
– eggnog
– condensed milk

Example Recipes:

– Ninja Slushie Eggnog Milkshake
– Bubblegum Milkshake Slushie
– Vanilla Caramel Milkshake
– Chocolate Christmas Milkshake

Shellie tip:
If your milkshake feels too thin, press the UP arrow to increase the freeze level. This setting loves patience.

The Slush Setting: Icy, Scoopable, Classic Slush Texture

Best For:

– fruit slushies
– wine slushies (hello frosé)
– juice-based drinks
– lemonade slushies
– summer Ninja slushie recipes

What It Does:

The Slush setting freezes more aggressively and churns faster. It breaks down ice and liquid into that classic crunchy-but-scoopable slush texture.

This is what you want when you’re chasing icy refreshment, not creaminess.

Use This Setting When:

Your recipe is mostly:
– juice
– wine
– cordial
– fruit purée
– water or soda

Example Recipes:

– Strawberry Frosé
– Rosé Ninja Slushie Variations
– Watermelon Slush
– Lemonade Slushies

Shellie tip:
Slushies melt faster than milkshakes, so slightly thicker is better if you’re serving guests.

The Frappé Setting: Frothy, Café-Style, Drinkable

Best For:

– iced coffee drinks
– mocha frappés
– coffee slushies
– café-style Ninja drinks

What It Does:

The Frappé setting introduces more air while blending and freezing. This creates a lighter, foamier texture — similar to what you’d get at a café.

It doesn’t aim for thickness; it aims for smooth, sippable, and slightly icy.

Use This Setting When:

Your recipe includes:
– coffee
– espresso
– cold brew
– milk alternatives
– light syrups

Example Recipes:

– Ninja Coffee Frappé
– Iced Mocha Slush
– Vanilla Latte Frappé

Shellie tip:
If you want it thicker than café-style, switch to Milkshake after the first churn.

The Most Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

“My slushie turned into soup”

– Ingredients weren’t cold enough
– Freeze level too low
– Wrong setting (Milkshake instead of Slush)

“My milkshake is icy”

– Used the Slush setting
– Too much ice
– Not enough dairy fat

“My frappé is too thick”

– Used Milkshake instead of Frappé
– Added ice cream instead of milk

Quick Cheat Sheet (Save This!)

Use MILKSHAKE when:
– it’s creamy
– it’s dessert-like
– it contains dairy

Use SLUSH when:
– it’s fruity
– it’s icy
– it’s refreshing

Use FRAPPÉ when:
– it’s coffee-based
– you want it light and frothy
– you want café vibes

If you remember nothing else, remember this:
 Creamy = Milkshake
 Icy = Slush
 Coffee = Frappé

Why This Matters for Christmas Ninja Slushie Recipes

This is especially important during the holidays, when people are mixing eggnog, milk, syrups, chocolate, fruit, and wine all in one month.

Choosing the right setting means:
– better texture
– happier guests
– fewer refills
– and fewer “why did this fail?” moments

And honestly? Once you understand the settings, your Ninja becomes one of the most useful appliances you own — not just a novelty.