Copycat McDonald’s Minute Maid Blue Raspberry Slushie recipe

If you’ve ever craved that icy-sweet punch of neon blue from McDonald’s drive-thru, this Copycat McDonald’s Minute Maid Blue Raspberry Slushie brings it home in the best way. It’s tangy, electric, and downright nostalgic, like a summer fair in a cup. That first brain-freezing sip has a way of waking up your taste buds and transporting you to sticky-hot afternoons with sunburned noses and laughter in the background.

The best part? You can make this copycat slushie in minutes with just a blender, a few pantry syrups, and some frosty ice. Plus, you can tweak it, go lower sugar, spike it with a little fizz, or even sneak in some real juice concentrate if you want to get fancy. All without waiting for it to show up again at the drive-thru window.

How to make Copycat McDonald’s Minute Maid Blue Raspberry Slushie

Start by making a quick slushie base with crushed ice, chilled water, and a sugar syrup or high-fructose corn syrup if you want that signature thick sweetness. The flavor comes from blue raspberry syrup (store-bought or homemade), a splash of apple juice for depth, and just a hint of citric acid or lemon juice for that signature pucker. Blend it all until it’s somewhere between slush and snow cone, icy enough to crunch with a spoon, but smooth enough to slurp through a straw.

Top it off with a clear lid and bright straw if you’re going full McDonald’s nostalgia. No whipped cream here. Just bold, brain-freezing, electric-blue magic.

Nutrition facts (per 12 oz serving)

Calories: 60
Total Fat: 0 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 15 g
Sugar: 15 g
Protein: 0 g

Ingredients (1 serving, 12 oz)

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

• 1 cup crushed ice
• ⅔ cup cold water
• ¼ cup blue raspberry syrup (see substitutes below)
• 1 tablespoon apple juice concentrate or unsweetened apple juice
• ⅛ teaspoon citric acid (or 1 teaspoon lemon juice)
• Optional: 1 tablespoon high-fructose corn syrup or simple syrup for extra sweetness
• Optional: pinch of salt (makes flavors pop)

Tools you’ll need

• High-speed blender or smoothie maker
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Clear glass or plastic cup (12 oz)
• Straw
• Spoon (if you’re a scooper)

Instructions

Make the slushie base

Add crushed ice and cold water to your blender. Pour in blue raspberry syrup, apple juice, and either citric acid or lemon juice. If using extra sweetener or salt, add those now. (1 min)

Blend until just right

Blend on medium-high for about 20–30 seconds until the texture is thick and icy, like a gas station slushie, not totally smooth. Stop before it melts into a drink. (30 sec)

Pour and enjoy

Scoop or pour into a clear glass. Serve immediately with a straw or spoon. (1 min)

Optional twist

For a bubbly version, replace ⅓ cup of the water with cold Sprite or lemon-lime soda after blending for a fizzy top layer.

Tips

• Use pebble or nugget ice if you have it, this blends better than full cubes.
• Chill your syrup and juice before blending for a colder, thicker slush.
• Don’t skip the citric acid or lemon juice. That tang is what sets it apart from any old blue punch.
• For extra-thick texture, freeze the syrup into ice cubes and blend with water.
• Store leftover syrup in a jar for future quick slushie refills.

What to serve with

Fresh and crunchy

• Grapes or green apple slices – The tart fruit complements the slushie’s sharp sweetness and adds something fresh between sips.
• Plain popcorn – That salty crunch makes the bright blue flavor even more intense, in the best way.
• Cucumber sticks with lime – Odd but refreshing. It’s like hitting reset between slurps.

Comforting treats

• Soft sugar cookies – Simple vanilla sweetness goes great with the slushie’s bold flavor.
• Mini blueberry muffins – They echo the berry profile without clashing.
• Chewy fruit snacks – Keep the candy theme going and make it feel like a full-blown treat day.

Savory counterpoints

• French fries (of course) – Salty, crisp, and perfect for dipping and sipping alongside.
• Cheeseburger sliders – Go full drive-thru mode. The rich meatiness balances the sugar hit of the slush.
• Mozzarella sticks – Mild cheese and crisp coating pair surprisingly well with sweet drinks, especially cold ones.

Variations

Mini Blue Slushie
Cut all ingredients in half for a kid-sized or light snack.

Blue Slush Float
Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream to the finished slush for a soda-fountain style treat.

Boozy Blue
Add 1 oz vodka or white rum before blending. Serve in a cocktail glass with a lime wedge.

Sour Slushie
Double the citric acid or add a few drops of sour candy extract for a tart punch that hits harder.

Layered Slushie
Make two batches: one blue raspberry, one strawberry. Pour in layers into a tall glass for a fire-and-ice look.

Ingredient substitutes

Blue Raspberry Syrup
Original: Store-bought blue raspberry syrup (like Torani, Monin, or ICEE brand)
Substitutes:
• Kool-Aid Blue Raspberry + sugar syrup
• Blue sports drink concentrate
• Homemade: simmer 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tsp citric acid, and 1 tbsp blue drink powder until thick

Apple Juice
Original: Frozen concentrate or unsweetened juice
Substitutes: White grape juice, pear juice, or omit if using syrup with juice already included

Citric Acid
Original: Food-grade powder
Substitutes: Lemon juice, lime juice, or tartaric acid

Simple Syrup / HFCS
Original: High-fructose corn syrup
Substitutes: 1:1 simple syrup (sugar + water), agave syrup, or leave out for less sweetness

Ice
Original: Crushed
Substitutes: Nugget ice, ice cubes (break them up first), or frozen soda cubes for extra flavor

Want that iconic drive-thru brain freeze anytime you like? This Copycat McDonald’s Minute Maid Blue Raspberry Slushie brings summer to your kitchen, no car keys required.