There’s nothing quite like a cool drink on a hot summer day. With temperatures in the Queen City reaching 90 and above this summer, it’s the perfect time for sipping on a frozen beverage. From icy cocktails to boozy milkshakes, we’ve rounded up more than 20 of the best spots to get a frozen drink around Charlotte (and beyond). Cheers!
South End
Sycamore Brewing 2151 Hawkins St.
Must Order: Frozen Espresso Martini ($14)
The Scoop: Sycamore Brewing’s recently renovated taproom features a variety of new menu items — including a frozen espresso martini. An icy blend of coffee and alcohol, finished with a garnish of espresso beans, this frozen cocktail is the perfect way to both wake up and cool down this summer.
El Puro Cuban Restaurant 5033 South Blvd.
Must Order: Piña Colada ($14)
The Scoop: Nothing says summer like sipping on a frozen piña colada. Take a break from the Charlotte heat and transport yourself to Cuba, with a piña colada in hand, at El Puro Cuban Restaurant. Made with Bacardi Superior, apricot brandy, coconut cream, and pineapple juice, this drink will make you feel like you’re laying out on an island.
Salted Melon Market & Eatery 100 W. Worthington Ave, Suite 107
Must Order: Aperol Spritz Slushie ($14)
The Scoop: Located in the heart of South End, Salted Melon Market & Eatery is serving frozen cocktails all summer long. Their aperol spritz slushie is the perfect way to cool down after a long day. Grab a seat at their bar, or make a reservation for their dining room to enjoy this tasty beverage.
The Co-Op Frosé & Eatery 340 W. Tremont Ave, Suite 110
Must Order: Any Frosé (prices vary)
The Scoop: New to the Charlotte area, The Co-Op Frosé & Eatery came at the perfect time to combat the heat. This trendy spot has a large selection of frosé, wine slushies, and flights on their menu, and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Pair your frozen drink with one of their sandwiches for a refreshing and light summer lunch.
The Waterman Fish Bar 2729 South Blvd, Suite D
Must Order: Watermelon Wreck or Bourbon Slush Fund ($11)
The Scoop: The Waterman Fish Bar has two frozen boozees that are sure to satisfy on a hot summer day. If you’re in the mood for something on the sweeter side, try the Watermelon Wreck, made with tequila, watermelon pucker, coconut, watermelon, citrus and grenadine. For fans of bourbon, the Bourbon Slush Fund, made with Jim Beam, lemonade, black tea, and orange juice is a hit.
Pins Mechanical Company 307 W. Tremont Ave.
Must Order: Shaved Ice ($11)
The Scoop: Pins Mechanical Co. is taking a classic summer treat and adding a little twist. You can’t miss this boozy shaved ice available in four perfect summer flavors — blackberry lavender, exotic berry citrus, peach mint, and passionfruit lemonade. While you’re there, don’t forget to get in a game of duckpin bowling or skee-ball.
Uptown
Mariposa 500 S. Tryon St.
Must Order: Curried Piña Colada ($18)
The Scoop: Mariposa’s take on a classic piña colada is a delicious drink for a hot summer day. Made with basil rum, pineapple, coconut milk, and Thai curried pineapple cordial, topped with lemongrass bitters and coconut meringue, this drink will transport you to a beach as soon as it hits the table.
Cowbell Burger & Whiskey Bar 201 N. Tryon St.
Must Order: Mocha Spiked Milkshake ($14)
The Scoop: What’s better than a milkshake? A boozy milkshake! At Cowbell Burger & Whiskey Bar, any milkshake can be spiked for an extra tasty summer treat. The Mocha Spiked Milkshake is made with vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup, and a shot of Southern Star standard bourbon. Other flavors include Apple Pie, Smore’s, Cherry Creme, and more.
Noda
Spindle Bar (Optimist Hall) 1115 N. Brevard St.
Must Order: Shotpops ($8)
The Scoop: Shotpops are a can’t miss frozen summer treat available at Spindle Bar’s Airstream in Optimist Hall. These boozy ice pops pack an entire shot of Deep Eddy Vodka inside of a real fruit popsicle. Current flavors are strawberry with lime vodka, kiwi with lime vodka, raspberry with orange vodka, and mandarin with peach vodka.
The Goodyear House 3032 N. Davidson St.
Must Order: Frozé ($10)
The Scoop: The Goodyear House does frozé right — delicious wine, a slice of watermelon, and a ring of orange. Enjoy this refreshing frozen cocktail on their beautiful outdoor patio, or inside where the air conditioning is pumping.
Bargarita 3221 N. Davidson St.
Must Order: Frozen Coconut Mojito ($8)
The Scoop: Bargarita, NoDa’s neighborhood party bar, is a great place to get your fix of frozen cocktails. We love the frozen coconut mojito, but you can’t go wrong with their monthly frozen daiquiri or, of course, their monthly frozen margarita, either.
Myers Park & Wesley Heights
Ru Ru’s Tacos & Tequila 715 Providence Rd.
Must Order: Frozen Margarita ($9-$11)
The Scoop: Ru Ru’s Tacos & Tequila has a frozen drink option for everyone. With tons of different frozen margarita flavors to choose from, this trendy Mexican restaurant is perfect for summer day-drinking. Don’t forget the chips and guac!
Ace No. 3 Multiple Locations
Must Order: Choc N’ Skrewed Boozy Milkshake ($9.50)
The Scoop: Mostly chocolate with a hint of alcohol, Ace. No 3’s boozy chocolate milkshake, made with a shot of Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, is one of the best frozen treats around, for anytime of year. If chocolate isn’t your thing, you can also get a boozy Strawberry Shotcake — a strawberry milkshake with Pinnacle Whip — or a Crown and Caramel — a vanilla milkshake with caramel and Crown Royal Regal Apple. Available for dine-in orders only.
Que Fresa 1500 W. Morehead St, Suite A
Must Order: Mojito Frio ($13)
The Scoop: Alcohol and ice cream? Sign us up! Over at Que Fresa, located in Wesley Heights, chefs are serving up a deliciously boozy soft-serve ice cream. The mojito frio comes with your choice of soft-serve margarita — Bacardi Gold, Citrus Ginger, or Mint Agave Nectar.
Plaza Midwood
Pinhouse 2306 Central Ave.
Must Order: Frozen Margarita ($10)
The Scoop: While Pinhouse boasts 72 self-serving craft beer selections, this summer you can’t miss their frozen margaritas. Available in classic, strawberry, or blue raspberry flavors, this icy drink is the perfect thing to sip on while playing games.
Que Onda Multiple Locations
Must Order: Sorbet Margarita ($11)
The Scoop: With locations in Plaza Midwood, Uptown, Highland Creek, University, and Matthews, there are plenty of ways to get your hands on one of these sorbet margaritas before the summer is over. Pick between lime and pomegranate for your flavor, or get the best of both worlds with a swirl.
SouthPark
Dilworth Tasting Room 4905 Ashley Park Ln, Suite J & 300 E. Tremont Ave.
Must Order: Frosé ($13)
The Scoop: Dive into this beautiful frozen cocktail this summer at Dilworth Tasting Room. Made with Grey Goose Essences Watermelon & Basil, St. Germain, fresh lemon, and French rosé wine, this drink tastes as good as it looks. Available at both Dilworth Tasting Room locations.
Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar 4310 Sharon Rd.
Must Order: Three Drunken Elves ($15)
The Scoop: Made with Smirnoff Whipped Vodka, Frangelico, Rice Krispies, mallow cream, and ice cream, this boozy milkshakes is a can’t miss beverage for summer (and all year round!)
Worth the Trip
Veronét Vineyards & Winery 1549 Ike Brooks Dr, Kings Mountain, NC, 28086
Must Order: Frozen Rosé Slushie ($10)
The Scoop: Enjoy beautiful views and a delicious frozen treat less than an hour away from Charlotte. Veronét’s frozen rosé slushie is the perfect balance of light, sweet, and refreshing.
Pilot Mountain Vineyards 1162 Bradley Rd, Pinnacle, NC, 27043
Must Order: Frozen Wine Slushie (prices vary)
The Scoop: Every weekend in the summer, Pilot Mountain Vineyards is serving up icy cold wine slushies. Head out to Pinnacle, North Carolina on a Saturday or Sunday this summer to grab a slushie, listen to live music, and enjoy food from a rotating selection of trucks.
Rocky River Vineyards 11685 Reed Mine Rd., Midland, NC, 28107
Must Order: Peach Bellini Wine Slushie ($5-$17)
The Scoop: Rocky River Vineyards is a frozen wine lover’s dream. Their wine slushies vary daily, with flavors ranging from Peach Bellini to Lemon Drop to Watermelon and more. Prices vary by size, but if you visit on a Wednesday, a medium slushie costs just $5. These delicious frozen beverages are well worth the drive!
Author’s Note: This article was written by Alexandra Maloney, a local Charlotte foodie and professional content strategist. You can find her chatting more about Charlotte food, drinks, and events on Instagram, @slicesandsushi.
