Slush and smoothie are two of the most popular frozen drinks. A slush is a frozen flavored drink made by blending fruit juice or syrup with ice. They can either be homemade, or purchased at supermarkets, restaurants, bars, and cafes. Smoothies, on the other hand, is a blended drink made from vegetables or fruits, usually mixed with some juice, yogurt, or milk which combines to create a milky texture. Unlike slushies, other ingredients like nuts, protein powder, or seeds can be included in smoothies for more nutrition.
These drinks are incredibly popular due to their refreshing taste. They are the perfect go-to drink for anyone who wants to cool down after a long day at work, hectic physical activity, or just a hot summer day. They also serve as a dessert or simple refreshment, making a popular drink among many. It might be easy to confuse these drinks with each other if you are not familiar with the specific attributes of each one. But say no more, in this article, we’ll be discussing not just the difference between these two popular drinks, but also their health benefits and more.
To start with, let’s examine the key difference between slush and smoothie.
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Difference Between Slush and Smoothie
Although slush and smoothie are both refreshing frozen drinks and share some similarities, they have enough differences to make them distinct. In the next few paragraphs, we’ll be discussing these differences to help you easily identify which is which next time you want to get this chilling drink.
Ingredients and Preparation
The first key difference between slush and smoothie is their ingredients and preparation method. Smoothies can be made by combining fruits or vegetables, which could be frozen or fresh, and liquids such as milk, juice, yogurt, and others, protein supplements, and sweeteners like dates and honey. Various vegetables or fruits like spinach, bananas, kale, avocado, and mango, can make up the ingredients in a smoothie. The preparation of a smoothie is relatively easy. All its preparation entails is to put all the ingredients in a blender or smoothie making and blend until the texture is creamy and smooth.
On the other hand, slushies are made with flavored syrup, fruit juice or puree, and ice. Slushies can also include common flavors such as fruit flavors (lemon, lime, tropical fruit, and strawberry) and sugar or other sweeteners. Slushies are made specifically in a slushy machine. All the ingredients are added into the slushy machine and frozen until the desired consistency is achieved.
Serving and Appearance
Smoothies are usually served in a jar, while most people prefer to serve slush in a plastic cup. However, both of them can also be served in a tall glass. Smoothie is usually seen as more elegant between both drinks and is served in almost every café and its price can be a bit on the high side depending on its ingredients. Meanwhile, slush is a simple and more affordable drink and is served at children’s parties, ice cream stands, and fast food outlets.
Both drinks have a bright and alluring appearance but slushies usually have brighter and stronger colors. Smoothie’s color is duller because it usually has yogurt or milk in its ingredients. Also, while slush is grainy because of the blended ice, it becomes liquid as the ice melts and smoothie is considerably more consistent and thicker with the appearance of a milkshake.Â
Origin and Popularity
No one exactly knows the origin of slush, but a popular story goes that it was accidentally invented by a kid who left a glass of soda he was drinking outside. By the time he returned, the drink had frozen and the kid, not wanting it to waste, took the soda and crushed it, and just like that, the first slush was made. How true this story is is up for debate, but slush only became commercially popular in the early 1950s when the ice machine of Dairy Queen owner, Omar Knedlik broke down and he was forced to keep soda in the freezer to keep it cool.
Just like the kid whose soda froze outside, Omar Knedlik realized that the frozen soda added variety to his stock and was a bit more fun, hence, he began to sell them to people who surprisingly were very receptive to it. And because it looked like slush, he decided to call it slush.
The origin of smoothies can be traced back to the 1930s when Brazilian fruit purees gained widespread popularity due to their numerous health benefits. Many people also loved these fruit purees due to their bubbly nature and the fact that they could make any type of fruit they wanted.
The two drinks gained widespread popularity within a short time and today, they are known all around the world and sold in many supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, and the like. They are also homemade variants. Although both drinks are popular, smoothie just about edges slush in the popularity contest because people see it as the healthier option. However, slush is more popular in Western Europe and the United States.
Taste and Flavor
Smoothies’ flavor and taste usually depend on the type of ingredients used to make them. This is where individual preference comes into play. Common flavors include creamy (such as using avocado or banana), tangy (ingredients like yogurt or citrus), or fruity (such as tropical or berry)
However, slushies have a typical sweet and icy type of flavor. Slush is often fruity and boasts flavors such as strawberry, lemon-lime, cherry, and blue raspberry. Slushies can also have a sour or tangy taste, but that’s if it has citrus in its ingredients or it is mixed with sour candy.
Choosing which of these drinks to go for is a bit tricky when looking at their differences, however, their health benefits also provide a major insight into what they offer. Let’s look at the health benefits these drinks offer.
Health Benefits of Slush
Slush is a combination of various ingredients, and as such, it possesses a variety of health benefits. These, we will examine below.
Serves as a source of hydration
Slushies are a good source of hydration because of their high water content. When taken, the ice used in the making of the slush melts, releasing water content that replenishes fluids in the body and helps in maintaining hydration levels. It is however essential to be careful of the sugar content in slushies, as too much intake of sugar can lead to dehydration. Knowing the moderate ingredients to use is key to enjoying slush as a refreshing beverage while ensuring adequate hydration without too much sugar.
Helps in calorie control
Slush helps in the control of calories because of its icy texture and lower calorie ingredients in comparison to other treats like milkshakes or ice cream. Slush is made of ice which is blended with flavored fruit juice or syrups, it is usually lower in calories, most especially if you make it with fruit juice that is natural or sugar-free options. If you choose slush over higher calorie drinks, this can help in satisfying your cravings for something sweet and cold while keeping your calorie intake in check.
Smoothie also possesses some health benefits. We’ll delve into them next.
Health Benefits of Smoothie
Smoothies, like slushies, can be healthy in more ways than one. We’ll take a look at these ways, starting with the increased intake of fruits and vegetables.
Increases the intake of fruits and vegetables
Smoothies are a tasty and fun way to increase your fruit and vegetable intake. This is because you can make use of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to prepare your smoothie. Furthermore, smoothies can be made specifically to suit your dietary needs and your taste preferences, thereby making them an enjoyable way to add more vegetables and fruits into your diet plan.
Boosts energy levels
Smoothies can boost your energy levels because they consist of a wide mix of vegetables, fruits, and many ingredients rich in minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins. These nutrients richly support metabolism and provide a quick source of energy. You can easily digest smoothies, which allows faster absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream, which leads to a quick boost of energy.
Promotes digestion
Smoothies also aid fast digestion because they contain ingredients that are high in fiber (vegetables and fruits), which helps in controlling bowel movements and improving the digestive system.
Aids weight loss
Smoothies can also aid your weight loss journey. However, you need to be mindful of the ingredients and portion sizes you add to your smoothie, as excessive addition of sweeteners or high-calorie mix can hinder their weight loss benefits. But when the right ingredients are used in moderation, smoothies can help you lose weight.
After knowing the differences and benefits between these two drinks, you’re probably eager to know which one is better. Read on to find out.
Smoothies vs Slushies: Which is Better?
When it comes to deciding which is better between smoothies and slushies, there isn’t a clear winner. Although smoothies appear more popular due to their perceived health benefits, both drinks have a committed fan base. As a result, choosing the better of the two drinks usually boils down to personal preferences. Sometimes, you can have a hard time choosing between a smoothie and a slush, both have different ingredients and health benefits, but ultimately which of you go for is based on your personal preferences as one isn’t exactly better than the other.
Where to Find the Best Slushies and Smoothie Machines?
Whether you are hosting a night or or family gathering and you want to impress your guests or you’re simply craving homemade smoothie or slush, or you’re a restaurant or cafe owner, making smoothies and slushies has never been easier with the VEVOR slushies machine and smoothie maker. VEVOR slushies machine and smoothie maker help you to make better drinks that your guests or customers would love.
The VEVOR slushies machine and smoothie maker can make several glasses of smoothie and slushies at once. They come with adjustable settings so you can easily adjust the texture and consistency of the smoothie or slush according to your preference. The machines are easy to operate and easy to maintain as well. The VEVOR slushies machine and smoothie maker helps you to make a variety of smoothies and slushies, without stress. So if you’re buying a smoothie maker, VEVOR is the best choice you can consider.
Key Takeaways
- Slushies and smoothies are both tasty and refreshing drinks. The key differences between them can be found mostly in their ingredients, preparation techniques, tastes and flavors, and their nutritional benefits. Slushies are mostly made from flavored syrup, ice, and fruit juice while smoothies are usually made of vegetables, fruit, and other ingredients like protein powder, milk, or yogurt.
- Smoothies and slushies are both refreshing to the body because they have fruity flavors and are served ice cold. Smoothies offer a creamy texture with a refreshing taste while slushies give a refreshing sensation on hot days, this makes both beverages a satisfying choice to quench your thirst and for cooling down.
- The VEVOR slushy machine makes far better slushies with its precise blending capabilities and advanced technology, which helps deliver great flavor, consistency, and refreshments in every sip of the slushies you drink.
FAQS About The Difference Between Slush and Smoothie
Is slush the same as smoothie?
No. Slush isn’t the same thing as a smoothie. Slush is a frozen flavored drink made by blending flavored syrup with ice, while smoothie is a blended drink made with vegetables, fruits, milk, yogurt, etc.
Which should I choose between slush and smoothie?
Choosing between a slushie and a smoothie will depend on your dietary needs and preferences. You need to take into consideration your nutritional goals and taste preferences to choose.
Is a smoothie better than slush?
There is no right or wrong answer to this. Whether a smoothie is better than slush depends on your individual preference, your dietary plan and need, and your preference in tastes.
