It’s Day 2 of the Kemper Christmas Cocktail Week and it’s all about nostalgia today. Growing up, my parents would make a huge batch of Bourbon Slush around the holidays in a big gallon-sized ice cream bucket. Remember those? I feel like there are pictures of me spoon deep in a gallon tub of Neopolitan ice cream somewhere in our old photo albums!
My parents would save those for Christmas just to make their Bourbon Slush. Anytime we’d have a get together or a neighbor would stop over to bring holiday wishes, my parents would bring it out and serve. It was one of their favorites and last night, we sampled our own version of it that instantly took me back in time.

Cheers to a frosty Bourbon Slush that can be enjoyed year round, but seems to be a little magical around the holidays for me.

Bourbon Slush
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups your favorite bourbon
- 1 can frozen orange juice concentrate
- 2 Tbsp tart cherry juice
- 1/4 cup bitters
- Sprite or 7-up, for serving
Instructions
- Heat water and sugar in a medium saucepan. Stir frequently until sugar is dissolved and water is boiling. Cool completely.
- In a large, freezer-safe container, add thawed orange juice concentrate and stir until it's well broken down. Add in cooled sugar water, bourbon, cherry juice, and bitters. Stir until well blended.
- Place in freezer for 8-10 hours, or even overnight. Use a fork to break up the slush a couple times through the process of freezing.
- To serve, scoop about 3/4 cup into your favorite Old Fashioned glass or stemless cocktail glass. Add 7-up or Sprite over the top. Garnish with a festive stirrer and cherries and enjoy together!


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