What’s better than one slushy machine? Two, of course. At least that’s Ninja’s philosophy with the launch of the Ninja Slushi Twist, a two-in-one slushie maker that can churn out two concoctions at once, then dispense them at the same time.
Ninja hopes to capitalize on the wild success of its previous frozen treat makers, such as the Creami and Creami Swirl.
The new perfect-for-summer appliance has none other than Jersey Shore star Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi’s stamp of approval, who collaborated with the brand alongside fellow Shore star Jenni “Jwoww” Farley to create exclusive recipes.
I tested the Slushi Twist and spoke with the Jersey Shore star while she sipped on a creation she made in the machine. Here’s what to know about Ninja’s newest summertime appliance, which has already sold out twice on Ninja’s website.
What’s different about the Ninja Slushi Twist?
You can dispense both slushies at once for the swirl effect or separately.
Most noticeably, the size. Measuring 17.5 by 11.9 by 16.3 inches, the new Slushi Twist looks nearly as big as the slushy machines you’d spot behind a bar holding strawberry daiquiris and piña coladas, and both sides of the machine can make 72 ounces of slushies, frappes or anything of the frozen drink variety. It’s not a light machine by any means, though, weighing around 34 pounds before any liquid is added.
Polizzi told us that she’s most excited to use the Ninja Slushi Twist at her Shore house this summer with her family.
“I feel like the kids would do a regular lemonade, and the other side would be a vodka lemonade,” Polizzi said. “We would just have to label it.”
How does the Ninja Slushi Twist work?
The Ninja Slushi Twist is an absolute unit.
Each side of the machine can hold 48 ounces of liquid and make up to 72 ounces of frozen drinks, since the liquid expands as it freezes. You can create your own recipe or follow one of Ninja’s; just ensure it contains dairy, sugar or alcohol so the mixture freezes. It’s not a blender, though, so don’t add chunks of fruit or other ingredients.
When you click the Dual Slush Assist button, both sides of the machine begin mixing, and you can feel the plastic containers cool to the touch almost immediately. If you only want to use one side of the machine, that’s possible, too.
Each side has identical buttons for slush assist (what starts the machine), extra icy and a rinse button to help with clean-up at the end. There are also twin chambers that freeze the liquid while continuously mixing it. Even when the drinks are frozen and ready, keep dual assist on until the mixture is gone.
How long does it take to make a batch?
For my mixture, a cherry slush on one side and an orange-flavored slush on the other, it took about 40 minutes for them to come together as a slushy. Later, when I wanted it slightly thicker, I put it on the extra-icy option, and it took an additional 20 or so minutes. So if you’re hosting a party, make sure you start the machine roughly an hour before you want the drinks ready for guests.
After the mixture is gone, add water to both sides, then hit rinse before removing the chambers to empty out the mixture. For being such a large machine, it was fairly easy to clean thanks to the rinse function.
Who is the Ninja Slushi Twist good for?
If you ask Polizzi, everyone.
“You could basically try anything, and I think it would taste good,” Polizzi said while coming up with new ingredients to try in the machine, including rosé or sangria.
Serve the slushies mixed together or as separate drinks.
I tend to agree with Polizzi, and I think this machine would be especially great for large families or those who host gatherings often, since it can make so many servings in one swoop.
If you’re in a smaller household or even have less kitchen space, the original Ninja Slushi machine might be the better buy since it’s half the size, $140 cheaper and can still make a slushie, albeit only one flavor at a time.
The Ninja Slushi Twist sells for $400, and is currently available at Best Buy.
