IN SLUSH WE TRUST

Can’t stand the heat? There’s a drink for that,

Calling all inner children: the spiked slushie is back and this sunshine season it’s bigger and better than ever, so slide on your sunnies and slurp away because the summer of 2022 is all about embracing the brain freeze.

By now, London is well acquainted with the classic Frozen Margarita, which can be sipped with joy at Fallow and Studio Kitchen. Tacos Padre’s take, made with fresh watermelon, tequila and mint, is a brilliantly invigorating alternative, much like the self explanatory avocado and passionfruit Margarita at El Pastor and Lagerita at Pergola Paddington. For something equally zingy, try Sarap’s Daiquiri made with calamansi, a Filipino fruit blessed with a tart, citrus flavour. Meanwhile, the Frosè Paloma, with tequila, rosé and homemade grapefruit cordial, at Funkidory is an indispensable weekend revival tool. Similarly, the Frozen Paloma at Los Mochis, with more tequila, grapefruit soda and chilli is a brilliant wake-up call, as is the Pastaio X Climpson & Sons Espresso Martini Slushie.

For those seeking something much sweeter, at Lucky Buns within Carousel, the Dirty Banana — starring rum, Kahlúa, crème de banana, oat milk, banana, banana sprinkles and chocolate sauce — is a lovely, liquidised pudding, and the Horchata Colada with Patron reposado, home-made cinnamon rice milk, pineapple and coconut at Hacha is a tropical delight. Finally, traditionalists can reach heady heights with Aperol Spritz and Porn Star Martini renditions at Double Standard and a tremendously entertaining whizz-your-own Cointreau cocktail slushie bike (yes, bike) at Bar 31 in Shangri-La, The Shard. Cheers.