The 12 best frozen cocktails in NYC

Why we love it: While Patty Dennison and Ally Marrone made a name for themselves at Grand Army Bar, the two actually met at the Cuban-inspired bar, Blacktail. In honor of the long-closed bar, Kinda Nice serves the Frozen Cherry Cola, a riff on the fancy rum and Coke that once was. The frozen tippler is amped up with Coca-Cola syrup and enough cherry juice where it feels like you just bit into the skin of a maraschino cherry. Amaro and Licor 43 bring some spice and undertones and a plentiful splash of cava brings the whole thing home. 

Time Out tip: If you need a little snacky while you sip, we highly recommend the Caesar salad deviled eggs, showered with curls of Parmesan cheese with an oily, salty finish, as a full anchovy lounges over top. 

Why we love it: Perhaps one of the best ways to keep cool in NYC is hitting up your local fruit vendor and getting a fruit cup that's been absolutely doused in Chamoy and flecks of tajín. You can have a similar experience but frozen and in a glass at Titán. Beverage director Ivy Mix's riffs on a spicy marg with Charmagoy. Mix uses a blend of guajillo and árbol chiles that bring an actual heat coupled with tangy zips from tamarind. It's spicier than most, but the sweetness of the mango keeps things nice and cool. Give it a stir to incorporate all that Chamoy goodness that's been rimmed in the glass. 

Time Out tip: Titán is also home to one of Brooklyn's best backyards with lush trees, vines and a projector that has thus far shown games from the World Cup. Aka, patio pounding can be had here.  

Address: 5 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5–10pm

Why we love it: For all of us who can't squeeze into Jody Williams and Rita Sodi's megahit Via Carota, there are a few more seats across the street in the couple's all-day spot Bar Pisellino. The Italian jewel box sells pastries and coffee during the day, but if you want a real pick-me-up, order this Italiano riff on a Lemon Drop. Three scoops of lemon sorbet get sloshed on vodka and prosecco until deliciously slushy, then garnished with lemon zest and a lemon wedge.

Time Out tip: Complete the sweet treat with the bomboloni alla crema. 

Address: 52 Grove Street, 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014

Opening hours: Daily 8am–11pm 

Why we love it: Brooklyn Crab always feels a little like summertime in Maryland. Visiting during the warmer months drives that feeling home as the three-story seaside "shanty" has it all—arcade games, putt-putt, and so many tchotchkes it rivals the collection of that aunt. And now that it actually is summer, the season calls for a frozen here. There's a bit of a gamble involved as the flavors change out, but past forms have included a nice, sweet lychee and a solid piña colada. And, if you happen to visit during the US Open, they also dispense a limited-time frozen honey deuce. 

Time Out tip: If a frozen alone isn't enough to quench your thirst, order the bulldog, a Patron frozen margarita with Modelito. 

Address: 24 Reed St, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–10pm; Fri, Sat noon–11pm

Why we love it: For us, last season's patio pounder went to Bar Snack's The Mama Tried ($16), a limeaid-like swirl with a smoky undertone. It is no longer on the menu, but a new chilled wonder is here to carry the torch forward. The peachy-colored Electric Mayhem hits the right amount of spice with Chamoy and a nice glug of Tabasco. But the heat never rises too high as sweet mango and coconut keep things nice and even.

Time Out tip: There are just a few tables outside of Bar Snack's awning. But now that the weather is nice, the windows are now open so everyone can get that summer breeze. 

Why we love it: Once you learn that Long Island Bar’s proprietor was one of the smattering of people credited with conceptualizing the cocktail that went on to be Sex and the City’s fifth lead, it follows that the corner spot would have a frozen cosmo. This one’s more opaque than its liquid BFF, with orangey-pink crystals packed tight like a real Miranda, though the subtly retro decor is a little more relaxed.

Time Out tip: The frozens rotate here and there, so keep an eye on their Instagram to see what's swirling. 

Address: 110 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11201

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat, Sun 2pm–midnight 

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Why we love it: Ever since Colima Taqueria released their soft serve margaritas on the people of New York, they've been something of a viral hit. Seemingly made for social media, the boozy swirl has played nice with mangonada and glugs of Chamoy, while recent flavors have included lychee and morir soñando. If they aren't boozy enough for your liking, you can always add in a shot of Don Julio, but it does come at a price of $17 more. 

Time Out tip: Keep in mind, the soft serve margs are only available at the 2920 Bruckner Blvd location.  

Address: 2920 Bruckner Blvd, Bronx, NY 10465

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 11am–midnight; Thu–Sat 11am–midnight; Sat noon–midnight; Sun noon–11pm

Why we love it: Frita Batidos is parked in a funny little shop in Williamsburg that almost reads like a gallery from the outside. But inside, it is all Cuban street food favorites. The calling card is in the name, as the frozen and sweetened milkshake-like drink known as a batido comes in a technical color assortment of flavors—coconut cream, lime and chocolate español. We are partial to a blend of two (we liked the tart hibiscus with passionfruit) and will tack on the extra bucks for a splash of rum. But of course, you can leave it without the booze to make it friendly to all.

Time Out tip: Need more cooling before you head to the waterfront? You can get some paletas to go. 

Address: 334 Kent Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Opening hours: Tue–Thu, Sun noon–9pm; Fri, Sat noon–10pm

Why we love it: Tapping into the buzzy energy of 1950s Thailand, Sappeisan aims to transport diners to the bustling streets of Bangkok with custom Thai street signs, carts of sweet treats for guests waiting for a table and a back room that evokes Thailand's Hua Lamphong station. There's also a range of frozen Thai cocktails for summer, such as the Somsri made with Cointreau, gold tequila, lime and guava purée. 

Time Out tip: If you'd rather a Thai Tea slush, there's the Cha Nua, which blends homemade Thai tea topped with mochi and ube crumble.

Address: 240 W 14th St, New York, NY 10011

Opening hours: Sun–Thu noon–3:30pm, 5–10pm; Fri–Sat noon–3:30pm, 5–11pm

Why we love it: This waterside spot shines among the jewels of the New York City crown that is City Island. Order your fried lobster tails, frog legs, oysters and clams inside, add a cognac-based Henny Colada, nab a patio picnic table and enjoy the view of the Long Island Sound. 

Time Out tip: This is a cash-only establishment, so bring some bucks if you are planning a visit. 

Address: 2 City Island Ave, Bronx, NY 10464

Opening hours: Sun–Thu 11:30am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–11pm

Why we love it: Drinks at the beach are a time-honored tradition pre-dating even this Rockaway staple, which has been operating in various iterations since the 1920s. It changed ownership a few years ago, but Connolly’s still serves fan-favorite piña coladas, now in paper cups instead of Styrofoam. If you’re planning on bringing those babies back to the beach, we won’t tell anyone what’s in the nondescript vessels. 

Time Out tip: This little beachside getaway is only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, so plan accordingly. 

Address: 1-55 Beach 95th St, Rockaway Beach, NY 11693

Opening hours: Daily noon–4am

Why we love it: This caffeinated, boozy frozen treat pre-dates recent years' curious espresso ‘martini’ boom by years and years of purported drinks of summer. Two-step into the honky-tonk for this perfect pairing, plus live music and a long happy hour on weekdays from noon to 7pm. 

Time Out tip: The Skinny Dennis team also operates Williamsburg's Rocka Rolla and Bed Stuy's Do or Dive, and you can find a similar boozy coffee there too. 

Address: 152 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Opening hours: Daily noon–4am