Discover the origins of National Juice Slush Day and explore the fascinating history behind this frosty delight. Learn about the accidental invention of slushies and how they’ve evolved over time.
“Commemorate the frosty pleasure known as juice slush on National Juice Slush Day, celebrated annually on the third Wednesday in May. This year, it takes place on May 17.”
National Juice Slush Day is a day dedicated to celebrating the enjoyment of juice slush, a refreshing beverage. Juice slush has a long history, dating back to decades, if not millennia, when people would mix fruit juice with freshly collected snow. In the past, royal courts would even bring down snow from the mountains and combine it with crushed berries and mashed fruits.
In more recent times, larger brands have taken the lead in producing juice slush. It has gained popularity, particularly among kids during their lunch breaks.
Overall, National Juice Slush Day provides an opportunity to appreciate and indulge in this frosty delight, highlighting its historical roots and modern-day appeal.
History of National Juice Slush Day
Slushes have an interesting history that led to the creation of the beverage we enjoy today. In the 1950s, a restaurant accidentally stored soda in the freezer, and when the freezer door was opened, it was discovered that the soda had turned into a slushy consistency. This accidental discovery marked the beginning of the slush drink as we know it today.
While slushes are available in various flavors, National Juice Slush Day can be attributed to a specific company called Cool Tropics. Cool Tropics, along with its well-known juice slush brand Welch’s, celebrates this day with extensive marketing activities across the country. These juice slushes, which are particularly popular during the warmer days of spring and summer, are flavored with real fruit juice and do not contain any artificial colorants.
Originally, Cool Tropics was an equipment company that sold frozen slush machines. However, in 2008, they shifted their focus to offer a healthier alternative to a childhood favorite: frozen yogurt. This led to the creation of a convenient 100 percent juice slush pouch that didn’t require any special equipment. These nutritious juice slushes became a hit among K-12 students, bringing color, joy, and excitement to school menus, field trips, and special occasions.
Overall, National Juice Slush Day celebrates the evolution and popularity of juice slushes, with Cool Tropics and Welch’s playing a significant role in promoting and marketing these refreshing beverages.
Source: pixabay.com
Does salt go into a slush?
Yes, salt is commonly used in the process of making slush. Adding salt to the ice helps to lower the freezing point of the mixture, allowing the slush to form. When salt is sprinkled on ice, it melts the ice and creates a brine solution. This brine solution has a lower freezing point than pure water, which causes the ice surrounding it to melt. The melting ice combined with the salt forms a cold slushy mixture.
In commercial slush machines, a mixture of salt, water, and ice is used to create the slushy consistency. The salt helps to maintain the slush at the desired consistency and prevents it from freezing solid.
It’s important to note that while salt is commonly used in the process of making slush, it is not typically added directly to the slush as a flavoring ingredient. The salt is primarily used to control the freezing point and texture of the slush mixture.
Who was the first to come up with the slushie?
The invention of the slushie, also known as the slush or frozen slush beverage, is credited to Omar Knedlik, an entrepreneur from Kansas. In the late 1950s, Knedlik owned a Dairy Queen franchise but did not have a soda fountain. To provide cold beverages to his customers, he improvised by storing bottles of soda in a freezer to chill them quickly.
One day, Knedlik’s freezer malfunctioned and the sodas partially froze, creating a slushy texture. Instead of discarding the frozen sodas, he decided to serve them to customers, and to his surprise, they were a hit. The unique frozen drink gained popularity, and Knedlik eventually developed a machine that could create frozen carbonated beverages on demand. He patented his invention in 1961 and founded the ICEE Company (now known as the Slush Puppie Corporation) to manufacture and distribute the machines and syrup mixes.
While Knedlik is credited with the invention of the slushie, it’s worth noting that variations of frozen drinks existed before his innovation. However, Knedlik’s contribution in creating a machine to produce frozen carbonated beverages and popularizing the concept played a significant role in the development and widespread popularity of slushies.
National Juice Slush Day Activities
On National Juice Slush Day, there are several activities you can engage in to celebrate and enjoy juice slushes. Here are some ideas:
- Make your own juice slush: Get creative and experiment with different fruit juices to make your own unique juice slush flavors. Blend your favorite fruit juices with ice and a sweetener if desired. You can use a blender or a slush machine if you have one.
- Juice slush taste test: Gather a variety of juice slush flavors from different brands or make different flavors at home. Organize a taste test with friends or family to compare and rate the flavors. It can be a fun and interactive way to discover new favorites.
- Juice slush party: Host a juice slush-themed party and invite friends or family over. Set up a juice slush bar with different flavors, toppings, and garnishes. Let everyone create their own customized juice slushes. Provide fun straws, colorful cups, and decorations to enhance the festive atmosphere.
- Share juice slush recipes: Share your favorite juice slush recipes with others. You can post them on social media, share them with friends, or even organize a recipe exchange where everyone brings their favorite juice slush recipe to share.
- Learn about the history of slushes: Take some time to research and learn more about the history of slushes, including their origins and how they have evolved over time. Share interesting facts with others or write a blog post about it.
- Support local businesses: Visit local juice bars, cafes, or restaurants that offer juice slushes and show your support. Try out their different flavors and spread the word about their delicious creations.
- Promote juice slushes on social media: Share your love for juice slushes on social media platforms by posting pictures, recipes, or fun facts about them. Use relevant hashtags like #NationalJuiceSlushDay to join the conversation and connect with others celebrating the day.
Remember to enjoy your juice slush responsibly and stay hydrated, especially if you’re spending time outdoors in warmer weather.
Delicious Juice Slush Recipes
Here are a few delicious juice slush recipes you can try:
- Watermelon Lime Slush:
- Ingredients:
- 4 cups of diced watermelon (seedless)
- Juice of 2 limes
- 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Instructions:
- Place the diced watermelon, lime juice, and honey (if desired) in a blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add ice cubes to the blender and blend again until you achieve a slushy consistency.
- Pour the slush into glasses and serve immediately.
- Ingredients:
- Strawberry Mango Slush:
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups of frozen strawberries
- 1 cup of frozen mango chunks
- 1 cup of orange juice
- 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the frozen strawberries, mango chunks, orange juice, and honey (if desired).
- Blend until smooth.
- Add ice cubes to the blender and blend again until you achieve a slushy consistency.
- Pour the slush into glasses and serve immediately.
- Ingredients:
- Pineapple Coconut Slush:
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups of frozen pineapple chunks
- 1 cup of coconut milk
- 1 tablespoon of lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of sugar (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the frozen pineapple chunks, coconut milk, lime juice, and sugar (if desired).
- Blend until smooth.
- Add ice cubes to the blender and blend again until you achieve a slushy consistency.
- Pour the slush into glasses and serve immediately.
- Ingredients:
- Mixed Berry Slush:
- Ingredients:
- 2 cups of mixed frozen berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries)
- 1 cup of apple juice
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons of honey (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Instructions:
- In a blender, combine the mixed frozen berries, apple juice, lemon juice, and honey (if desired).
- Blend until smooth.
- Add ice cubes to the blender and blend again until you achieve a slushy consistency.
- Pour the slush into glasses and serve immediately.
- Ingredients:
Feel free to adjust the sweetness and consistency according to your taste preferences. Enjoy your refreshing juice slushes!
