It’s HOT outside, and when temps reach 90 or above, we don’t need just a cold drink, we need a frozen one. From boozy shaved ice to spiked milkshakes, we did the research for you and found 20+ places where you can cool off and chill out.
Charlotte
Fahrenheit
The skyline view isn’t the only sweet part about a visit to Fahrenheit. Their milkshake of the day can be converted into a spiked “adult version”. Try the Mango & Passion Fruit Milkshake – with toasted coconut flakes & topped with fresh whipped cream.
Superica
In South End, hang out on the patio while enjoying Tex-Mex dishes and frozen margaritas.
Sycamore Brewing
Step up your summer drink game and try Sycamore’s brand new Boozy Pops. The name says it all – booze in a popsicle, with 5% ABV and made with a wine base. Try a Boozy Pop in Piña Colada or Boozenberry, a mix of fresh raspberries, strawberries, and a touch of agave syrup.
Spindle Bar
Take a trip to Optimist Hall not just for all the delicious food options but also frozen cocktails from Spindle Bar. Try the Miami Vice, a mix of piña colada and strawberry daiquiri. Topping it off with a rum floater is encouraged!
Cordial
Need something refreshing? Make your way to South Park and try the Twin Flame, a mixture of Appleton Rum, Los Vecinos Mezcal, Piña Colada, Frozen Guava and flame.
The Cowfish
Enjoy your Burgushi with a spiked milkshake ($13) at Cowfish. Flavors include the No Sleep Til Brooklyn made with Myer’s Dark Rum, Kahlua, ice cream, malt, coffee concentrate, topped with chocolate-covered espresso beans, and the Peanut Butter Nana Time crafted with Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, banana liqueur, ice cream, fresh banana and peanut butter cups.
Kid Cashew
Delicious Mediterranean food paired with a refreshing frozen cocktail, need we say more? Their frosted slushies ($10) include a frozen margarita, peach bellini, and frosé.
Ru San’s
This Dilworth favorite for one-of-a-kind sushi rolls also has a unique spin on sake. Try their frozen sake cocktails: the Rising Sun with strawberry, sweet sour and sake, and Saturday Fever with piña colada, sweet sour and sake for $6.50.
Bargarita
In NoDa, indulge in frozen margaritas while feasting on all the barbecue and tacos your heart desires. They also have frozen piña coladas, strawberry daiquiris, and frosé.
The Waterman Fish Bar
Waterman Fish Bar, located in South End, offers three ways to get your frozen drink fix. Try the Tequila Hummingbird, made with El Jimador Reposado Tequila, orange liqueur, grapefruit and lemon, or Bourbon Slush, made with Old Forester Bourbon, black tea, orange juice and lemonade, or try both frozen cocktails mixed ($10).
Queen Park Social
Known as Charlotte’s South End social club, Queen Park Social has two frozen drinks on their menu that you can’t miss. Order the Summer Margarita, made with Hornitos tequila, watermelon Redbull, and fresh sour, or try the Pink Lemonade, made with Whitney Vodka, lemonade, and blue curacao.
Pins Mechanical Company
When you visit Pins Mechanical, you’re going to be playing hard (hellooooo foosball!) and we found the perfect thing to help you cool WAY down – boozy shaved iced! Available Thursday through Saturday, boozy shaved ice comes in four different flavors, cherry and Fireball, orange and mango rum, lemon-lime and coconut rum, and blue raspberry with berry rum ($6). Mix and match if you dare.
SouthBound
Hang out at Southbound where the vibes and the drinks are chill. Try their specialty slushies, Passion of the Mango and the SouthBound and Down, and Charlotte Vice (the two mixed). Made with Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, Passionfruit, Mango, Pineapple, Lime, Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Blackberry, Strawberry, Lemon, and Cinnamon.
Noble Smoke
Noble Smoke offers a Frozen Painkiller at its Beer Shack every Thursday through Saturday, made with orange juice, pineapple juice, coconut cream, nutmeg, Captain Morgan and Carolina Muddy River Distillery rum for $7.
Cantina 1511
There’s nothing quite like a delicious frozen marg on a hot summer’s day. Try the Casa Cantina, made with El Jimador Blanco, lime juice, orange juice, and sour mix. Available frozen or on the rocks.
RuRu’s Tacos + Tequila
If a margarita’s what you’re craving, enjoy RuRu’s patio with a Frank the Tank in hand. Their house frozen margarita can be made traditional or flavored with strawberry, blueberry, mango or peach.
Cabo Fish Taco
Try any margarita on the menu frozen for just $1 more. Pictured is a frozen margarita paired with black pepper and brown sugar salmon tacos. How refreshing.
Futo Buta Ramen
Try the NEW “Raz N Boozee” (meant to be pronounced to the toon of bad n boujee). A frozen cocktail featuring lychee nigori sake, sho chiku bai sake, & a raspberry puree. Delish.
Boardwalk Billy’s
In University, find a spot on the patio and try to choose from Boardwalk Billy’s healthy list of frozen cocktails. You’ll find classic frozen daiquiri’s (traditional strawberry, raspberry, mango, peach, watermelon or blueberry pomegranate), Strawberry Colada’s, and a Grey Goose Giggle Juice which has Grey Goose Vodka and Ginger beer puree.
On The Lake
Hello, Sailor
Enjoy beautiful lake views at Hello, Sailor’s outdoor tiki bar while sipping on a frozen drink such as their Piña Colada, Strawberry Daiquiri, Miami Vice, or Cherry Lemon Sundrop Negroni Slushie.
Eddie’s on Lake Norman
At Eddie’s on Lake Norman, you’ll feel like you’re worlds away from reality when ordering a number of vacation-like frozen drinks, such as the Malibu Colada and Frozen Key Lime Pie. View more of their frozen drink options here.
& Beyond
Rocky River Vineyards
Wine Slushy Wednesday is here! Enjoy a cold wine slushie for just $5 every Wednesday at this vineyard located in Midland, NC.
Treehouse Vineyards
For the wine-lovers, Treehouse Vineyards lets you create your own slushy from your pick of their wines. Enjoy on the beautiful vineyard grounds or in rented treehouses on the property.
Pilot Mountain Vineyards
Head to the mountains to visit Pilot Mountain Vineyards, where you can sit and enjoy the view while sipping on a frozen wine slush.
Coming Soon
The Royal Tot
Opening late this summer, The Royal Tot, a tropical cocktail lounge, will be located in the same building as Catawaba Brewing and have delicious frozen drinks to keep you cool. Some of the first drinks on the menu will be a Mezcal Piña Colada and a Strawberry Daiquiri with Aged Puerto Rican Rum. They’ll also have some boozy creations using Dole Whip, a smooth and creamy pineapple treat that also happens to be vegan. Give them a follow on Instagram to know when they open!
