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A blue and white plastic coffee cup holding a yellow soft serve with sprigs of mint and a straw.
Dole Whip at Lullaby.
Lullaby

13 Frozen Cocktails Worth the Brain Freeze

These frozen cocktails across NYC are like air conditioning in a glass for the next summer heatwave

by Kat Odell and Eater Staff Updated
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Dole Whip at Lullaby.
| Lullaby
by Kat Odell and Eater Staff Updated
1 comment / new

It’s hard not to love frozen cocktails for their slurpable texture and freezing temperatures. Reminiscent of childhood slushies, the alcohol-infused versions are unbeatable on a hot day. From classics like a frozen margarita or piña colada, to thoughtful constructions, like the boozy Dole Whip at Lullaby, New York’s frozen libation game is only heating up this year just in time for summer. Here are 13 chilly frozen cocktails that should be on any summer to-do list.

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COTE Korean Steakhouse

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This perpetually buzzy, modern Korean steakhouse Cote has had a frozen drink swirling for the last five years since its debut. Beverage director Victoria James’ take on the classic frosé ($18) calls for Campari, Aperol, Giffard’s Grapefruit, lemon, and small-production rosé.

16 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010
(212) 401-7986
(212) 401-7986
Glasses of frose with flamingo straws.
Frosé with Campari, Aperol, Giffard’s Grapefruit, lemon, and rosé
Gary He

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Suprema Provisions

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Greenwich Village’s mini Italian market and bar Suprema Provisions presently serves at least two frozen cocktails that cuts its ties to Italy. One frosty drink turns to tequila with bitters that give it a rosé hue while the La Pasion with mezcal plays off the tropical notes of passion fruit — both $16 each.

305 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
(646) 964-4994
(646) 964-4994
A high ball glass with a froze cocktail that’s orange and yellow.
A frozen mezcal paloma at Suprema Provisions.
Mezcal El Silencio

Also featured in:

Etérea

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There’s no beach theme at this vegan restaurant in the East Village, but its focus on the agave plant means tequila is the go-to drink. The Buddy Love Goes Coconuts cocktail is filled with a mix of tequila, pineapple, coconut, pandan, orange, and a dusting of coffee beans on top. It can be ordered in a to-go cup ($18) or with a compostable young coconut ($25) for a more festive take.

511 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009
(917) 286-5617
(917) 286-5617
A hand holding a coconut shell filled with a frozen cocktail with a leaf and straw sticking out.
The Buddy Loves Goes Coconuts cocktail at Etérea.
Overthrow Hospitality

Lullaby

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New Yorkers are used to seeing these blue-and-white cups with Greek design motifs filled with black coffee, but this NYC staple at Lullaby contains a dessert-worthy version of the Dole Whip. The pineapple soft serve is infused with rum for a tropical beverage that’s not only good for summer but all year round.

151 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
A yellow Dole Whip soft serve in a blue paper cup sits on a sunny wooden countertop.
Dole Whip at Lullaby.
Gabriel Armstrong/Lullaby

The Tyger

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Eddy Buckingham and chef Paul Donnelly’s hip Southeast Asian restaurant the Tyger has a namesake frozen cocktail: The Tyger Strype ($18). On the list since the restaurant opened two years ago, this drink is designed to look like tiger stripes incorporating tequila, white tea, activated charcoal, peach liqueur, lemon, and smoke for its black layer, while the orange layer is made from tequila, Maraschino, mango, lemon, honey, and cardamom. Pro tip: Should you fancy one color over the other, you can order it as a solo drink.

1 Howard St, New York, NY 10013
(646) 476-7566
(646) 476-7566
A frozen cocktail with orange and black layers.
The Tyger Strype cocktail at the Tyger.
The Tyger

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Sweet Chick

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There’s always a number of frozen drinks on offer at fried chicken-and-waffle slinger Sweet Chick. While slushie cocktail options fluctuate — and often incorporate a margarita, a piña colada, and a frosé — the team also offers a limited special, like this one last summer: a frozen apple swirl libation spiked with Cognac and apple brandy, laced with Mike’s Hot Honey.

164 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 725-4793
(347) 725-4793
A frozen cocktail in a plastic container being hand held in front of a restaurant.
Frozen cocktails can be ordered with fried chicken and waffles at Sweet Chick.
Sweet Chick

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Thief

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Inspired by New York’s art and music scene in the 1980s, Thief is a Williamsburg bar from barman John McNulty (Katana Kitten). And alongside snacks like mini vegan corn dogs, McNulty is serving a killer take on frozen Riesling, aka Friesling ($14). His version — which is balanced and not overly sweet — calls for Riesling with white grape juice, vodka, lemon, lime, and orange.

595 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(917) 909-1166
(917) 909-1166
A yellow color frozen cocktail with grapes on a toothpick.
Friesling at Thief.
Ashley Sears/Thief

Rocka Rolla

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No trip to Rocka Rolla is complete without ordering the “coffee thing,” an ugly stepchild of the espresso martini that’s also served at Do or Dive, Skinny Dennis, and other Brooklyn dive bars from the same team. This frozen coffee cocktail comes in a paper Greek cup, speckled with grounds.

486 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

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Elsa

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Hip, art deco-designed cocktail bar Elsa is helping Cobble Hill residents cool off via four frozen libations ($15). While the classic Painkiller has been on the menu for years, the bar also serves a Coffee Drink (vodka, coffee, almond milk, brown sugar, Cognac, vanilla) and the newest of the bunch is the rum-spiked Cloudbusting Daiquiri and the gin-infused Lisa Frank Experience.

136 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(917) 882-7395
(917) 882-7395
A red frozen cocktail with strawberry and mint garnish set on a white marble table.
A peppered strawberry-rhubarb margarita from summer 2021 at Elsa.
Keegan Grandbois

Also featured in:

Clover Club

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Julie Reiner’s lauded 14-year-old Brooklyn cocktail lair Clover Club carries three frozen drinks ($16), including the eye-catching Rogue Wave (which infuses rum with blue curacao) and Whiskey Rebellion (bourbon, Fernet Menta, creme de peche, lemon, mint), and Rogue Wave (aged rum, Rum Fire, blue Curaçao, orgeat, house-made sweetened condensed coconut milk, lemon, pineapple).

210 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 855-7939
(718) 855-7939
A tiki glass with a cocktail on a wooden table.
Kalo Coada at the Clover Club.
Clover Club

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Barely Disfigured

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Not many bars in Carroll Gardens can claim a spacious backyard garden, which gives this five-year-old drinking den an especially big draw during summer months. And it’s also the perfect backdrop for a frozen libation, of which there a few on the menu.

257 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 858-5646
(718) 858-5646
A frozen cocktail with an orange wedge and straw sticking out of a glass.
A frozen cocktail at Barely Disfigured.
Barely Disfigured

Also featured in:

Bearded Lady

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Prospect Heights’ 1950s-dressed neighborhood staple Bearded Lady currently slings a frozen drink that changes daily. It could easily be a Scuzzy Navel (peach, citrus, bourbon, gummy candy, amaro) one or a classic Painkiller the next.

686 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
(469) 232-7333
(469) 232-7333
An orange color frozen cocktail in a lowball glass with foam on top, an orange slice, and large straw set on a yellow table with a menu in the background.
The Scuzzy Navel at Bearded Lady.
Bearded Lady

Also featured in:

Claro

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Chef TJ Steele’s rustic Oaxacan number in Gowanus proffers two to three frozen libations at any given time. Fashioned by beverage director José María Dondé, the current selections to choose from can range from a seasonal agua fresca (such as rhubarb-strawberry) to a classic Tommy-style (meaning agave in place of orange liqueur) mezcal margarita.

284 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
(347) 721-3126
(347) 721-3126
A frozen pink cocktail served on a wooden plank.
Claro often offers two to three frozen cocktails on its menu.
Claro

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COTE Korean Steakhouse

16 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010

This perpetually buzzy, modern Korean steakhouse Cote has had a frozen drink swirling for the last five years since its debut. Beverage director Victoria James’ take on the classic frosé ($18) calls for Campari, Aperol, Giffard’s Grapefruit, lemon, and small-production rosé.

16 W 22nd St, New York, NY 10010
(212) 401-7986
(212) 401-7986
Glasses of frose with flamingo straws.
Frosé with Campari, Aperol, Giffard’s Grapefruit, lemon, and rosé
Gary He

Suprema Provisions

305 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014

Greenwich Village’s mini Italian market and bar Suprema Provisions presently serves at least two frozen cocktails that cuts its ties to Italy. One frosty drink turns to tequila with bitters that give it a rosé hue while the La Pasion with mezcal plays off the tropical notes of passion fruit — both $16 each.

305 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
(646) 964-4994
(646) 964-4994
A high ball glass with a froze cocktail that’s orange and yellow.
A frozen mezcal paloma at Suprema Provisions.
Mezcal El Silencio

Etérea

511 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009

There’s no beach theme at this vegan restaurant in the East Village, but its focus on the agave plant means tequila is the go-to drink. The Buddy Love Goes Coconuts cocktail is filled with a mix of tequila, pineapple, coconut, pandan, orange, and a dusting of coffee beans on top. It can be ordered in a to-go cup ($18) or with a compostable young coconut ($25) for a more festive take.

511 E 5th St, New York, NY 10009
(917) 286-5617
(917) 286-5617
A hand holding a coconut shell filled with a frozen cocktail with a leaf and straw sticking out.
The Buddy Loves Goes Coconuts cocktail at Etérea.
Overthrow Hospitality

Lullaby

151 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002

New Yorkers are used to seeing these blue-and-white cups with Greek design motifs filled with black coffee, but this NYC staple at Lullaby contains a dessert-worthy version of the Dole Whip. The pineapple soft serve is infused with rum for a tropical beverage that’s not only good for summer but all year round.

151 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
A yellow Dole Whip soft serve in a blue paper cup sits on a sunny wooden countertop.
Dole Whip at Lullaby.
Gabriel Armstrong/Lullaby

The Tyger

1 Howard St, New York, NY 10013

Eddy Buckingham and chef Paul Donnelly’s hip Southeast Asian restaurant the Tyger has a namesake frozen cocktail: The Tyger Strype ($18). On the list since the restaurant opened two years ago, this drink is designed to look like tiger stripes incorporating tequila, white tea, activated charcoal, peach liqueur, lemon, and smoke for its black layer, while the orange layer is made from tequila, Maraschino, mango, lemon, honey, and cardamom. Pro tip: Should you fancy one color over the other, you can order it as a solo drink.

1 Howard St, New York, NY 10013
(646) 476-7566
(646) 476-7566
A frozen cocktail with orange and black layers.
The Tyger Strype cocktail at the Tyger.
The Tyger

Sweet Chick

164 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

There’s always a number of frozen drinks on offer at fried chicken-and-waffle slinger Sweet Chick. While slushie cocktail options fluctuate — and often incorporate a margarita, a piña colada, and a frosé — the team also offers a limited special, like this one last summer: a frozen apple swirl libation spiked with Cognac and apple brandy, laced with Mike’s Hot Honey.

164 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(347) 725-4793
(347) 725-4793
A frozen cocktail in a plastic container being hand held in front of a restaurant.
Frozen cocktails can be ordered with fried chicken and waffles at Sweet Chick.
Sweet Chick

Thief

595 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Inspired by New York’s art and music scene in the 1980s, Thief is a Williamsburg bar from barman John McNulty (Katana Kitten). And alongside snacks like mini vegan corn dogs, McNulty is serving a killer take on frozen Riesling, aka Friesling ($14). His version — which is balanced and not overly sweet — calls for Riesling with white grape juice, vodka, lemon, lime, and orange.

595 Union Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211
(917) 909-1166
(917) 909-1166
A yellow color frozen cocktail with grapes on a toothpick.
Friesling at Thief.
Ashley Sears/Thief

Rocka Rolla

486 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

No trip to Rocka Rolla is complete without ordering the “coffee thing,” an ugly stepchild of the espresso martini that’s also served at Do or Dive, Skinny Dennis, and other Brooklyn dive bars from the same team. This frozen coffee cocktail comes in a paper Greek cup, speckled with grounds.

486 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Elsa

136 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Hip, art deco-designed cocktail bar Elsa is helping Cobble Hill residents cool off via four frozen libations ($15). While the classic Painkiller has been on the menu for years, the bar also serves a Coffee Drink (vodka, coffee, almond milk, brown sugar, Cognac, vanilla) and the newest of the bunch is the rum-spiked Cloudbusting Daiquiri and the gin-infused Lisa Frank Experience.

136 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(917) 882-7395
(917) 882-7395
A red frozen cocktail with strawberry and mint garnish set on a white marble table.
A peppered strawberry-rhubarb margarita from summer 2021 at Elsa.
Keegan Grandbois

Clover Club

210 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Julie Reiner’s lauded 14-year-old Brooklyn cocktail lair Clover Club carries three frozen drinks ($16), including the eye-catching Rogue Wave (which infuses rum with blue curacao) and Whiskey Rebellion (bourbon, Fernet Menta, creme de peche, lemon, mint), and Rogue Wave (aged rum, Rum Fire, blue Curaçao, orgeat, house-made sweetened condensed coconut milk, lemon, pineapple).

210 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 855-7939
(718) 855-7939
A tiki glass with a cocktail on a wooden table.
Kalo Coada at the Clover Club.
Clover Club

Barely Disfigured

257 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Not many bars in Carroll Gardens can claim a spacious backyard garden, which gives this five-year-old drinking den an especially big draw during summer months. And it’s also the perfect backdrop for a frozen libation, of which there a few on the menu.

257 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
(718) 858-5646
(718) 858-5646
A frozen cocktail with an orange wedge and straw sticking out of a glass.
A frozen cocktail at Barely Disfigured.
Barely Disfigured

Bearded Lady

686 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Prospect Heights’ 1950s-dressed neighborhood staple Bearded Lady currently slings a frozen drink that changes daily. It could easily be a Scuzzy Navel (peach, citrus, bourbon, gummy candy, amaro) one or a classic Painkiller the next.

686 Washington Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11238
(469) 232-7333
(469) 232-7333
An orange color frozen cocktail in a lowball glass with foam on top, an orange slice, and large straw set on a yellow table with a menu in the background.
The Scuzzy Navel at Bearded Lady.
Bearded Lady

Claro

284 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Chef TJ Steele’s rustic Oaxacan number in Gowanus proffers two to three frozen libations at any given time. Fashioned by beverage director José María Dondé, the current selections to choose from can range from a seasonal agua fresca (such as rhubarb-strawberry) to a classic Tommy-style (meaning agave in place of orange liqueur) mezcal margarita.

284 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215
(347) 721-3126
(347) 721-3126
A frozen pink cocktail served on a wooden plank.
Claro often offers two to three frozen cocktails on its menu.
Claro

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