Cherry Slurpee From Stranger Things – Dr. Alexei Would Be Proud!

The cherry Slurpee from Stranger Things became a hit around the world! Today, it is arguably the most popular Slurpee flavor on the market. Many fans have tried recreating it themselves. Unfortunately, getting that perfectly balanced cherry flavor can be challenging.

For this reason, I took on the challenge, and if I may say so myself, it came out better than expected! This cherry Slurpee from Stranger Things recipe is not too sweet but sweet enough to satisfy any sweet tooth. The club soda adds a bit of sparkle that helps balance the flavors.

It’s refreshing and the perfect drink for a hot summer’s day. So, read on to find out exactly how I make it.

What Is This Cherry Slurpee From Stranger Things?

The cherry Slurpee took the world by storm after it was revived in the retro-themed series Stranger Things. In the scene, Alexei asks Hopper to get him a cherry-flavored Slurpee.

Hopper brings back a strawberry-flavored Slurpee that Alexei instantly rejects! And honestly, I don’t blame him! Even Joice helps defend the choice in preference!

After making a cherry Slurpee of my own, it is a classic drink in its own right! There are very few that are equally tasty and refreshing.

What Do You Need To Make Cherry Slurpee From Stranger Things?

There are only a few ingredients you need for my Stranger Things cherry Slurpee recipe.

Club Soda

Everybody has heard of club soda before, but what exactly is it? And why did I specifically choose it for this recipe? Well, club soda is ultimately carbonated and mineral-infused water. It has a slightly salty flavor that makes it perfect for a super sweet Slurpee drink.

Seltzer, on the other hand, is just carbonated water without minerals. Naturally, because of the lack of minerals, it does have a neutral flavor. You can use it as a substitute for club soda in my recipe, but the drink will likely be too sweet and unbalanced.

And finally, another alternative you can use is tonic water. But, keep in mind that it is often more expensive and heavily sweetened.

Caster Sugar

I always use caster sugar instead of coarse granulated sugar for drinks. This way, the granules will dissolve much quicker. That will prevent you from taking any gritty sips of your Slurpee.

You can substitute the caster sugar with a sugar substitute, but you can also leave it out of the recipe.

Kool-Aid

You should use cherry Kool-Aid. Luckily, it is arguably one of the most popular flavors to date. It is usually easy to get a hold of and relatively cheap.

The Kool-Aid powdered mixture adds an uber-rich authentic flavor and bright red color. It also adds a bit of sweetness, which is why I’ve mentioned that you can leave out the sugar in the recipe.

Cherry Extract

Don’t simply use cherry essence or cherry concentrate. The cherry extract has the best and most authentic flavor. And it is super easy to find at your local grocery store or baking supply shop.

If you can’t find any, you can also use cherry-flavored syrup. When buying it, make sure that it has a runny consistency so it doesn’t become lumpy when added to the ice.

Ice

The most important ingredient today is ice. Without it, all you have is flavored club soda. The crushed ice is what gives a slushy its cold and refreshing flavor.

How To Make A Stranger Things Cherry Slurpee

Making this cherry Slurpee from Stranger Things is extremely easy. All that you have to do is combine all of the ingredients in a blender and mix. After a couple of seconds, you will get a Slurpee consistency that can be poured into your glass.

Another refreshing drink you can try on my site is this Spongebob Squarepants’s famous Kelp Shake. Ultimately, it’s a drink of fresh strawberries, sweetened condensed milk, and milk.

Blender Versus Juicer Versus Food Processor

This is a very good topic I briefly want to cover. Many people are bound to ask whether or not they can use a food processor or juicer instead of a blender. Unfortunately, all of these appliances perform very different tasks.

A blender often has a “crushing” setting. That will help chop the ice into smaller pieces to make the perfect slushy. No other household appliance can do this well enough.

A juicer won’t be able to crush the ice blocks. The hard ice may even damage the blades which will ruin your entire appliance. Furthermore, many juicers work with a pressing mechanism, not a chopping one.

The food processor doesn’t have sharp enough blades to crush the ice or mix the ingredients. And the motor doesn’t run fast enough to evenly crush the ice.

So the bottom line is that a blender is almost the only appliance that will work to make your cherry Slurpee from Stranger Things.

FAQs

Who is the “Slurpee” guy in the Stranger Things episode?

This is a strange question but a popular one. After all, you could argue that this guy made cherry Slurpee famous again! Dr. Alexei refused to drink the strawberry-flavored Slurpee that Hopper initially brought him. Instead, he wanted his all-time favorite, a cherry one! That sent fans into a spiral trying to find the secret cherry Slurpee recipe out there!

Can you make a different flavor with this Slurpee recipe?

I developed this recipe as a one-flavor-fits-all option. You can add any flavoring extract that you like to switch things up every once in a while. But being honest, who would want to? This cherry-flavored Slurpee is extraordinarily refreshing and tasty too.

Can you replace the club soda with water?

It’s not advisable as Club soda contains salt which normal water doesn’t. The salt helps create a balanced flavor profile. Another reason water doesn’t make a good swap is that club soda is carbonated, which gives it that refreshing sparkling mouth feel.

Is there caffeine in a Slurpee?

The original Slurpee drinks from 7-11 do contain caffeine. However, my recipe doesn’t. All of the ingredients you will use for the cherry Slurpee recipe are entirely free of caffeine. But, to make sure, always check the specific products that you buy.

Can you buy a cherry Slurpee from stranger things in a store?

I haven’t been able to find a store, grocer, or restaurant that sells this Stranger Things cherry Slurpee. But, you can find a ton of merchandise related to it. That includes stickers, posters, T-shirts, and Slurpee cups that appear in the series.