Slush

A Blast from the Past: My Mom's "Slush" Recipe

My mother was a meticulous record-keeper. Her recipe box overflowed with handwritten cards, clipped magazine pages, and even the occasional photocopy, like the one I'm sharing today. It's a recipe for a drink called "Slush," unearthed from a 1975 copy of "Favorite Recipes of the Aetna Girls," a collection from a Toledo, Ohio, company. The recipe, submitted by a Roseann Croop from the Underwriting Department, holds a special place in my heart, not just for the nostalgic connection to my mom, but also for the intriguing mystery it presents. I've never actually made this Slush, it’s a recipe passed down, a culinary artifact from a bygone era, hinting at summer parties and gatherings long past. Just reading the ingredients list evokes a particular time and place – a tangible slice of the past.

The ingredients themselves are a curious mix of the commonplace and the slightly unusual for a frozen drink. Cranberry juice, frozen lemonade, and orange juice are predictable choices, but the addition of a full fifth of vodka or gin throws a bit of a curveball. It's clearly a recipe designed for grown-up gatherings, a refreshing and potent concoction perfect for a hot summer day. I imagine it being served at a backyard barbecue, the clinking of glasses mingling with laughter and conversation. I can almost taste the tartness of the cranberry juice, the sweetness of the lemonade, the subtle tang of orange, and the bracing chill of the alcohol. It's a recipe that speaks to a different time, a simpler way of entertaining, where the focus was on good company, good food, and maybe a little bit of extra fun.

The very act of freezing it overnight adds another layer to the mystique. The anticipation, the knowing that a delicious, surprisingly potent treat awaits after a long day of summer heat, that is the magic. The thought of the frozen drink, ready to be enjoyed, speaks to a simpler time. It's a recipe that, for me, doesn't just represent a drink; it represents a tangible link to my past, a connection to my mother, and a delightful glimpse into a world of carefree summer gatherings.

It's the kind of recipe that sparks the imagination, prompting me to wonder about the Aetna Girls themselves, their lives, their friendships, and their parties. Did Roseann Croop enjoy making this Slush for her friends? Did they gather around a table laden with this icy treat, sharing stories and laughter under the summer sun? These are the questions that linger in my mind, and these questions only makes this old recipe even more valuable to me. It transcends the simple act of creating a drink; it becomes a portal to another time, a reminder of simpler times and happy memories. This old recipe is more than just a collection of ingredients; it’s a time capsule.

Perhaps, one day, I'll muster the courage to actually try making this Slush. But for now, I prefer to hold onto the mystery, letting my imagination conjure the flavors and the fun of a long-ago summer party, a memory captured in a recipe and passed down through generations.

The simplicity of the recipe itself is quite striking. There's no complicated technique, no obscure ingredients. It is a testament to the belief that sometimes, the best recipes are the simplest ones, and that the true magic lies in the memories and connections they evoke. This, of course, makes this recipe even more appealing and fascinating to me.

In a world of complex, multi-step recipes and gourmet ingredients, this simple "Slush" recipe is a refreshing change of pace. It's a reminder that culinary artistry doesn't always require elaborate techniques or exotic ingredients; sometimes, it's the simple things that are the most satisfying and memorable. It is a recipe for fun, simple memories, and a bridge connecting us to the past. This simple recipe brings forth a flood of happy memories, a reminder of simpler days, of strong friendships, and summer fun, and that is something priceless to me.

Step-by-step

• Freeze 24 hours