Ninja Professional Plus Blender
A mainstream full-size choice when frozen drinks and ice crushing are major reasons for buying.
Frozen drinks
Frozen pineapple-jalapeno margaritas
Published
Cold pineapple, fresh lime, and a clean jalapeno finish make a frozen drink that is bright, tropical, and much more interesting than bottled mix.
What you need
- 2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 cup blanco tequila
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/3 cup orange liqueur
- 1 to 2 tablespoons agave syrup
- 1/4 jalapeno, seeded for less heat
- 2 1/2 cups ice
- Lime wedges and salt for serving
Method
- Add tequila, lime juice, orange liqueur, agave, and jalapeno before the frozen pineapple and ice.
- Start at low speed, then increase until the ice and fruit circulate through the jar.
- Stop as soon as the texture is uniformly slushy. Extra blending melts the ice and dulls the drink.
- Taste for heat and sweetness, then serve immediately in chilled glasses.
What even ice crushing looks like
The goal is not simply to pulverize ice. The jar has to keep new ice moving into the blades while the finished slush moves away. Poor circulation leaves both large chunks and watery overworked liquid in the same pitcher.
A full-size jar with space for ice to move
Pulse or variable speed for a controlled start
A lid that stays secure under a moving ice load
Enough circulation to finish before the ice melts
Products that fit this frozen drinks
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Vitamix 5200
The premium option for smoother slush and more direct control over how quickly the ice breaks down.
Technique notes
Chill the liquid ingredients first so the ice does less work cooling the drink.
Blend a small jalapeno slice first. Heat varies widely from pepper to pepper.
Do not pack ice above the blender's working limit. It needs room to move.