Scoop&Slush

Cotton Candy Slushi

Real cotton candy dissolved into lemon lime soda and water, then frozen on SLUSH. A carnival in a cup, pastel and impossibly fun.

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Cotton Candy Slushi
Ninja SlushiPrep
5 minProcessing
15 to 40 minMakes
2 to 3 servings · up to 8

Why you’ll love this

Pure fairground joy, spun into a glass; it melts down sweet and pillowy, pours out pastel and playful, and makes kids lose their minds in the best way. Keep it in mind for birthdays, sleepovers, and any day that could use a little carnival magic at home.

What you’ll need

A few simple ingredients for a big, delicious idea.

Lemon lime soda
Lemon lime soda
Water
Water
Cotton candy
Cotton candy
Vanilla extract
Vanilla extract

Cotton Candy Slushi

Ninja SlushiPrep 5 min15 to 40 min

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Dissolve the cotton candy

    In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and stir until the cotton candy is dissolved. The amounts above make the middle batch, for 4 to 6 servings. For 2 to 3 servings, use 1 cup lemon lime soda, 1¾ cups water, 1 (3 ounce) bag of cotton candy, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract. For 6 to 8 servings, use 2½ cups soda, 4⅓ cups water, 3 (3 ounce) bags of cotton candy, and ⅔ teaspoon vanilla extract.

  2. Pour into the vessel

    Pour the mixture into the vessel.

  3. Select SLUSH

    Select SLUSH. The preset starts at the default temperature. For your ideal texture, use the Temperature Control setting to adjust.

  4. Serve

    Once the frozen drink reaches the right temperature, the unit will beep. Dispense and serve immediately, garnished as desired. A little tuft of fresh cotton candy on top is never a bad idea.

Nutrition guide

The nutrition scoop

Per serving · middle batch, serves 4 to 6

  • Fat 0%
  • Carbs 100%
  • Protein 0%

Light and bright: an easy everyday treat.

Total fat 0 g
Carbohydrates 45 g
Protein 0 g
of which sugars 45 g
Saturated fat 0 g 0% daily value
Cholesterol 0 mg 0% daily value
Sodium 15 mg 1% daily value
Dietary fiber 0 g 0% daily value
Calcium 10 mg 1% daily value
Vitamin C 0 mg 0% daily value

Where the calories live

The cotton candy brings the biggest share of the calories here, about 76 percent of the batch, with the lemon lime soda next in line.

The bright spot

Most of the flavor rides on the cotton candy, and the numbers stay in treat territory rather than meal territory.

Want a lighter pour

Pour a smaller glass and top it with sparkling water. The flavor stretches and the landing gets gentler.

Estimated from the ingredients exactly as written, using standard reference values for each ingredient. Your brands and swaps will shift the numbers a little. Daily values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Make it your own

  • Start with the base recipe, then swap one ingredient at a time.
  • Try a different topping after processing.
  • Keep notes so you can revisit your favorite combination.

Texture tips

  • A level, fully solid freeze gives the smoothest spin.
  • Freeze CREAMi bases level and completely solid.
  • For SLUSHi, check compatible liquids and minimum sugar requirements.

Frequently asked questions

What are the three batch sizes?

For 2 to 3 servings: 1 cup lemon lime soda, 1¾ cups water, 1 (3 ounce) bag of cotton candy, and ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract. For 4 to 6 servings: 2 cups soda, 3½ cups water, 2 bags of cotton candy, and ½ teaspoon vanilla. For 6 to 8 servings: 2½ cups soda, 4⅓ cups water, 3 bags of cotton candy, and ⅔ teaspoon vanilla.

Pink or blue cotton candy?

Either works and the slush takes on the color. Pink is the classic carnival look; blue leans raspberry in most brands. Mixed bags give a lavender pour.

Why dissolve it first?

Cotton candy is spun sugar: it melts into the liquid almost instantly and sweetens the whole batch evenly, so the slush freezes smooth instead of stringy.

Can I use diet soda?

Regular soda is the safer bet here: the slush leans on the cotton candy for most of its sugar solids, and diet soda thins the freeze. If you swap, expect a softer set.