Homemade Icees and McD’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
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I’ve been having such a blast experimenting with my Cuisinart ice cream maker lately—it’s quickly become one of my favorite kitchen gadgets for summertime fun! With just a little creativity, I discovered you can whip up homemade Icees using any kind of soda pop, which is perfect for customizing flavors to suit your family’s cravings.
One of the highlights was recreating a copycat version of McDonald’s frozen strawberry lemonade. The result? A frosty, tangy-sweet treat with swirls of strawberry syrup that made our taste buds dance. My family even did a side-by-side taste test with the original McDonald’s version—and to my delight, they all agreed mine was even better!
Ingredient for Homemade Icees
- CHILLED SODA POP (I USED ORANGE CRUSH)
Instructions for Homemade Icees
Pour your favorite soda into a 1½-quart Cuisinart ice cream maker.
Freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions—this usually takes about 20 minutes to reach that perfect slushy consistency. Once frozen, divide into 4 glasses, serve immediately, and enjoy your frosty treat!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any type of soda for this recipe?
Yes! You can use cola, lemon-lime, root beer, or even fruity sodas. Each one gives a unique flavor twist—just make sure it’s chilled before freezing for best results.
Do I need a Cuisinart ice cream maker, or will any brand work?
Any ice cream maker with a 1½-quart capacity should work just fine. Just follow your machine’s instructions for freezing time and consistency.
Can I make Icees with juice instead of soda?
Absolutely! Fruit juices like lemonade, orange juice, or grape juice work well. You can even blend fresh fruit with water to create your own juice base.
How do I make a sugar-free version?
Use diet soda or unsweetened juice, and skip any added syrups. You can also try natural sweeteners like stevia or monk fruit if you want a little extra sweetness.
Homemade Icees
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 3 12 oz cans or 4 1/2 cups of chilled soda pop (I used orange Crush)
Instructions
- Place soda in your 1 1/2 qt Cuisinart ice cream maker and freeze accordingly for 20 minutes. Serve in 4 glasses and enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Bake at 350.
Ingredients for McD’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
- CHILLED LEMONADE (I USED TROPICANA TROP50)
- SMUCKER’S STRAWBERRY SYRUP
Instructions for McD’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Pour your favorite lemon-lime soda into a 1½-quart Cuisinart ice cream maker. Freeze according to the manufacturer’s directions—about 20 minutes should give you a smooth, slushy texture.
Spoon a layer of the frozen lemonade into the bottom of each glass. Add a generous squirt of strawberry syrup over the slush. Top off each glass with the remaining frozen lemonade. Serve immediately and enjoy your frosty, fruity treat!
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of lemonade should I use for the base?
Any lemonade will work. I used Tropicana 50 lemonade for a lighter version.
Can I make this sugar-free?
Absolutely! Use sugar free lemonade and sugar-free strawberry syrup. You can also try natural sweeteners like monk fruit or stevia if making your own syrup.
How do I get the perfect slushy consistency?
Make sure your lemonade is chilled before freezing, and follow your ice cream maker’s instructions. For extra thickness, freeze the lemonade for a few minutes longer or add crushed ice when serving.
McD’s Frozen Strawberry Lemonade
Real Mom Kitchen
Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups of chilled lemonade I used Tropicana Trop50
- Smucker’s strawberry syrup
Instructions
- Place soda in your 1 1/2 qt Cuisinart ice cream maker and freeze accordingly for 20 minutes. Place some of the frozen lemonade in the bottom of each glass followed by a good squirt of the strawberry syrup. Fill glasses with remaining frozen lemonade and enjoy!
This recipe is a Real Mom Kitchen original.
