The Best Frozen Cocktail In Every State

With the hottest days of summer upon us, icy treats are the best way to beat the heat, and fortunately for America, there's no corner of the country devoid of frozen cocktails. While classic drinks like frozen margaritas and tiki-style painkillers have long been menu mainstays, recent years have seen the rise of frosé, friesling, and even boozy ice pops. Bars across America continue to innovate the genre in their own unique ways whether it's updating timeworn staples or whipping up something wholly original and deeply refreshing. 

Be it a boozy slushy, a glass of frosé, an ice cream cocktail, a spiked milkshake, or a drink made with literal glacial ice, America's frozen drink landscape is as diverse as its actual landscape with beverages that come in a miscellany of colors, flavors, and styles. From the Florida panhandle to Juneau, Alaska, and the coast of Maine to the shores of Waikiki Beach, these are the best frozen cocktails in every state.

It's worth venturing to the final frontier for the chance to see polar bears and venture beyond the arctic circle. It's also worth venturing to Alaska to sip a drink made with glacial ice. While thankfully devoid of polar bears, the seaside city of Juneau delivers on the latter, as at the rustic, wood- and brick-filled bar The Narrows.

Located a stone's throw from the Gastineau Channel amidst Juneau's charming downtown side streets, the bar makes something called the Blue Bear, so named for the region's abundance of both blueberries and bears (not the polar kind, but still). While not technically a frozen drink (Alaska's typical forecast probably doesn't usually lead to cravings for frozen cocktails, after all), this one gets points for its usage of glacial ice, an element that feels distinctly Alaska. Made with Bacardi Gran Reserve 10 Year, fresh mint, lemon juice, and housemade wild Alaskan blueberry syrup, the fruity refreshment is topped with Fever Tree ginger beer, and poured over a fistful of crushed glacial ice (via The Manual).

It may come as a pleasant surprise that one of the most inventive — and photogenic — frozen drinks is lurking in downtown Fayetteville, Arkansas. Vault bar, in all its contemporary aesthetic and swagger, is known for its masterful, seasonally inspired mixology, as evidenced by its buttery and sweet Hoppy Scotch Scotch.

Made with butter-washed dark rum, Islay Scotch, housemade ginger beer, hopped butterscotch syrup, and lemon, it's basically a boozy butterbeer. The frozen component is the salted vanilla ice cream foam that floats on top, melting sweetness down into the smoky, buttery elixir.

Tiki bars are a reliable fixture for frozen drinks, with all their island-inspired flavors, fresh fruit juices, and tropical décor. At Adrift in Denver, an alluringly dark tiki bar dolled up with nautical baubles and bamboo, island-style beverages are the bill of fare, including the cooling Frozen Chi Chi.

This summer sipper is made with Flor de Caña 7yr rum, vodka, housemade coconut cream, pineapple juice, and Maraschino liqueur, for a drink that's at once bright, tangy, and rich. If you're feeling nutty, add a shot of macadamia liqueur or a combo of Frangelico and Selvarey for a Nutella-like twist.  

Nestled at the far southern tip of Delaware, literally across the street from the Maryland border in the town of Delmar, there lies a culinary institution. Old Mill Crab House is a mecca for Chesapeake-style seafood, served up in a casual barn-like building with lots of sweet, fruity drinks to wash it all down.

Case in point: the Orange Dreamsicle, a drinkable dessert made with blended vanilla ice cream, orange vodka, and Old Mill's special blend of orange flavoring (via Delaware News Journal). As if that wasn't decadent enough, it's topped with whipped cream, a cherry, and a frozen Orange Dream ice cream bar.

For a frozen cocktail with a Korean emphasis, head to the newly opened Umbrella Bar at Atlanta's Ponce City Market. Decked out in frilly and fun island-inspired decor (including, of course, colorful umbrellas aplenty), the pint-sized potable oasis compliments its Korean corn dogs and bulgogi tater tots with Melona Slushies.

The singular drinks are made with Soju — a Korean spirit made from fermented rice — and fruity Melona ice cream bars from South Korea. Ice cream flavors include lemonade and strawberry (via Tritons Industries), which lend creamy fruitiness and tang to soju's earthy sweetness, all capped with — what else — tiny umbrellas.

Situated inside a huge, lofty space that looks like a glam garage, complete with sprawling patio, contemporary art, and bourbon barrels as décor, Western Collective in Garden City is a cool place to hang out and drink. It's even cooler when said drink is frozen and garnished with gummy sharks.

Such is the case with the Shark Attack Slush, a bright-blue beverage comprised of boozy blue raspberry slush and grenadine, which together morbidly looks like blood in shark-infested waters. Don't let your fear of great whites get in the way of enjoying this playful (and delicious) cocktail.  

Just a few blocks south of downtown Indianapolis' iconic Soldiers & Sailors Monument, The Saint Shack is a lofty watering hole with a hip gastropub vibe, a bevy of unique sausages, and a whole roster of boozy slushies. While staple flavors include hurricanes, piña coladas, and Miami Vices, for something extra quirky and colorful, order the Stewie Slushie. The "Family Guy"-inspired cocktail includes a mix of three evenly distributed slush flavors: blue raspberry lemonade, strawberry, and peach bourbon, all of which layer to form a drink that's as colorful, tart, and boozy as it is quenching.

You might not expect to find a glam, beachy oasis in the middle of the small Kansas city of Manhattan, but Pool House Kitchen & Bar, just down the street from the Kansas River, feels more Miami than the Midwest. While no actual pools are present, the chic and sexy spot still channels summer style, both with its decor and with its rotating frozen cocktails.

If you need further proof of its Miami vibes, sip the Miami Vice, which marries equal parts piña colada and strawberry daiquiri for a best-of-both-worlds beverage in a tall glass with a requisite umbrella garnish — you know, for those sunny summer days.

Smack dab in the middle of New Orleans' world-famous French Quarter, Erin Rose is a blink-and-you'll-miss-it Irish pub resplendent in eccentric ephemera, requisite po'boy sandwiches, and plenty of Irish booze. And amidst all the iconic New Orleans drinks on the menu, Erin Rose's Frozen Irish Coffee holds its own.

Although the exact recipe is a secret, the ice cream-esque cocktail is made with local dairy and coffee, brandy, and coffee liqueur served out of a soft-serve machine and flecked with coffee grounds. Creamy, caffeinated, and silky-smooth, it's the ultimate balm for a sweltering summer day in New Orleans.

Anyplace named Colada Shop is bound to have a penchant for Rupert Holmes' drink of choice. Indeed, the Mid-Atlantic mini-chain — with locations in D.C. and Potomac, Maryland — meets muster with a frozen slushee version of the classic tropical libation.

In fact, Colada Shop take piña coladas so seriously that it hosts an annual festival celebrating the drink. Flecked with toasted coconut, the restaurant's version of the classic frozen drink hits all the right notes of pineapple, rum, and creamy coconut.

A few blocks north of the Detroit River, The Skip is a colorful and tropical oasis that looks like it should be closer to the southern border than Canada. The downtown Detroit bar, which features a lengthy outdoor patio in a brick-lined alleyway, leans into its tropical stylings with an emphasis on inventive frozen cocktails, like an icy Irish Coffee, Watermelon Frosé, and a crisp French 75.

Then there's the cucumber margarita, a particularly quenching riff on the iconic Mexican tipple, made with blanco tequila, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curacao, cucumber, lime, and orange, swirled into a fun cup with an adorable dog logo and garnished with a lime wedge and a paper umbrella.

Sometimes, you can't beat a classic. In Ridgeland, Mississippi, just outside of Jackson, this is true of the old-school furnishings, live music, and bayside views at Pelican Cove Grill, as well as its most famed drink, the Pink Pelican.

Best slurped from the outdoor deck overlooking Pelahatchie Bay whilst gazing at actual pelicans, the Pink Pelican is an intoxicating mashup of 5 Island Rum, pineapple, orange juice, coconut, grenadine, and ice cream, resulting in a rich, dessert-y drink that's worthy of nightcap status.

Enjoy big mountain town vibes — and big flavors — at Hail Mary's, a bar within a bar. Located in downtown's historic Rocking R Bar, Hail Mary's has a casual garage bar vibe, with elevated takes on hearty Montana bar food utilizing local flavors and inspirations as much as possible. This means you can wash your elk burger down with a boozy milkshake. 

Among the options is the dessert-worthy Be My Huckleberry, which spotlights one of Montana's prized fruits and pairs it with locally distilled spirits. The hearty quaff, which is poured into a tall mug with a cloud of whipped cream, is made with huckleberry ice cream blended with Willie's Huckleberry Sweet Cream Liqueur and the bar's very own Rocking R Bar Huckleberry Vodka. 

Nestled away inside Park MGM Las Vegas on the Strip, Best Friend is a colorful and fun eatery from Kogi founder Roy Choi that bursts with originality. It's evident in the restaurant's eccentric surroundings — from hanging plants and colorful Korean sundries and merchandise — as well as its menu, which runs the gamut from kung pao-glazed lobster tails to kimchi carbonara.

On the beverage side, top billing goes to the boozy slushies on offer, which includes the Orange Dreamsicle. Made with Stoli Vanilla vodka, the sweet and citrusy frozen beverage is the perfect counterpoint to Best Friend's spree of big, bold flavors wafting in kimchi and kalbi.

Open seasonally, with a huge outdoor patio on the Hudson River overlooking Manhattan, Smorgasbar has become a summertime sensation in Jersey City. The views and vibes are great, but what keeps thirsty guests coming back are the local beers, mojitos, and margaritas — the latte of which come in numerous flavors, all available frozen.

There's a classic margarita, along with passion fruit, guava, mango, strawberry, and spicy & smoky, all of which are improved by a trip through the blender with ice, and garnished with a flamingo swizzle stick.

At Thief in Williamsburg, a bar inspired by New York City's music and graffiti scene in the '80s (via Greenpointers), the menus are just as playful as the ambience. Food-wise, this include vegan corn dogs, chicken parmesan sliders, and black truffle grilled cheese, while Friesling is the standout cocktail on the drink list.

The lone frozen drink, it's Thief's alternative to frosé, made with sweet Riesling, white grape juice, vodka, lemon juice, lime juice, a splash of orange juice, and water. The velvet-y smooth blend is poured into a tall glass and garnished with a few white grapes.

Located a few blocks from the Missouri River, Big Dog Tiki Bar brings a taste of the tropics to central North Dakota. Although thousands of miles from the Caribbean, island life is alive and kickin' at this oasis of bamboo, carved totems, and nautical decor — with beachy blended drinks to match. 

The on-site tiki bar for Heart River Spirits, a distillery specializing in rum, Big Dog features a lineup of classic tropical tipples, like zombies, daiquiris, and mai tais, along with a few frozen blended options. A real Bahamian treat is the Heart River Bahama Breeze, a swashbuckling mix of Heart River Original Rum, coconut rum, banana liqueur, apricot liqueur, lemon juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine, and honey. As the menu proclaims, "Taste how the pirates beat the tropical heat even if it's -10 F!" 

Located in the artsy, mural-filled Plaza District of Oklahoma City, Mexican Radio takes an approach to Mexican food that's as playful and whimsical as its surrounding neighborhood. The evidence is everywhere, from the bar area decorated with globes to its pimento cheese empanadas and tacos stuffed with buffalo cauliflower.

It's especially evident when it comes to its frozen drinks, including the Dole Whip Margarita, a pineapple-scented homage to that Disney World staple. Here, the tart quencher contains tequila, pineapple, banana du brésil, coconut cream, agave syrup, and lime, swirled into a cocktail glass and rimmed with a mix of Fruity Pebbles and salt.

Nestled atop The Logan Philadelphia hotel, with panoramic city views from its Logan Square perch, Assembly Rooftop Lounge slings drinks good enough — and pretty enough — to distract from the vista. This is notable of its frozen cocktails, which includes a strawberry-splashed Frosé and a particularly refreshing Frozen Lemonade.

The latter combines tart and sweet housemade lemonade with floral gin and Salers Aperitif, a French liqueur with plenty of herbal oomph. If you're really feeling saucy, try the Philly-Vice, a Miami Vice riff that combines the Frosé and the Frozen Lemonade.

A chic pool patio requires a chic pool cocktail, and Charleston's Little Palm Bar at the Ryder Hotel fits the bill with both. The indoor-outdoor bar, dolled up in splashes of pink, green, and fern wallpaper, accents seasonal mixed drinks with a couple frozen standbys, including the Green Light. A frozen wine cocktail, it's made with Sauvignon Blanc, pear brandy, honeydew melon, and Chareau Aloe Vera liqueur, for a drink that's wonderfully light, crisp, and primed for poolside lounging.

Colorful, festive, and over-the-top (in the best way possible), Nashville's Chopper is a fun tiki bar bursting with color, flavor, and offbeat decor — including a giant robot hanging from the ceiling over the central bar.

The drinks are fun, too, especially the three frozen drinks perfect for a hot Tennessee evening. These include a Painkiller (pineapple, orange, coconut, lime, rum, and fresh nutmeg), a Rum Runner (pineapple, orange, banana, lime, blackberry, and rum), and most notably, a Lava Flow, which artfully combines the two in colorful layers, and caps it off with a flower and pineapple wedge.

Primed for a night of imbibing in style, Salt Lake City's Lake Effect is a handsomely appointed bar and restaurant bedecked in dark woods, cream-toned banquettes, and library-sized walls of liquor and wine. The dizzying supply makes sense, considering how colossal the cocktail and wine list is, running the gamut from classic cocktails to modern inventions. There's also a frozen standout, a particularly well-balanced Frosé made with gin from local Beehive Distilling, rosé, strawberries, and caramel notes from Demerara syrup.

Decorated like a funky tropical diner (think flamingo wallpaper and turquoise bar stools), Richmond's Little Nickel is big on originality. From Hawaiian nachos and General Tso's wings to crab spaghetti, it's a place of whimsical invention.

Drinks-wise, seasonal cocktails, punch bowls, and bottled cocktails are on offer, but you don't want to pass up the Cosmic Love. The rosy slush includes a wild mix of vodka, Cointreau, orange blossom water, cranberry, Champagne, and lime. Somehow, it all manages to work with the floral notes juxtaposed by the tartness of the cranberries, the crisp bubbles of the Champagne, and lime's reliable acidity.

In theory, a gas station in West Virginia may not seem like a go-to place for a legitimate adult beverage, but Rutter's is a local mini-chain that's amassed deserved acclaim for its markets and liquor department — especially for its Spiked Slushies.

The ultimate road trip repast, slushies come in an array of ever-changing flavors, from blue raspberry and fruit punch to St. Patrick's Day Shamrock, and a frozen hot chocolate version. Better yet, the Spiked Slushies come in 20-ounce cups, 64-ounce Frosé Party Bags, and even 128-ounce Spiked Slushie Party Bags, so you can keep the party going all summer long.

You've heard of slushies, but in Jackson Hole, sloshies are the summertime staple that's become ubiquitous in bars, restaurants, markets, and gas stations. One such example is Creekside Market. Just north of Jackson's town square, the quaint wood-clad market and deli stocks an array of spirits — and uses some of said spirits to spike its own sloshies. Flavors rotate regularly, but always feature refreshing riffs on familiar favorites like Margarita and Piña Colada, as well as Greyhounds and Dark 'n' Stormys.