If you sell, buy, or love frozen drinks, you’ve probably seen the words slushy, slushie, Slurpee, and ICEE used almost interchangeably. This creates confusion for customers, search engines, and even brands.
In this guide, we’ll break everything down clearly:
- Why slushy and slushie both exist
- How to spell them correctly
- The real difference between Slurpee vs Slushie
- ICEE vs Slushie explained
- Calories in slushies and Slurpees
Let’s start from the root.
Slushy or Slushie – What’s the Difference?
What Does “Slush” Mean?
The word slush refers to partially frozen liquid, usually a mix of ice and flavored syrup. The term originally described melting snow mixed with water—but the food industry adopted it for frozen drinks.
From this base word, two spellings evolved:
Slushy / Slushie
Slushy is:
- An adjective
- Used to describe texture or consistency
Examples:
- “The drink is still too slushy.”
- “A slushy ice mixture is forming.”
It’s grammatically correct but less commonly used as a product name.
Slushie is:
- A noun
- Refers to the actual frozen drink
Examples:
- “I want a cherry slushie.”
- “This machine makes perfect slushies.”
Why Do Both Spellings Exist?
The variation exists because:
- English allows informal noun formation (adding -ie or -y)
- Different regions adopted different spellings
- Marketing played a big role—slushie sounds more fun and drink-specific
In short:
- Slush → base word
- Slushy → describes texture
- Slushie → the drink itself
Slurpee vs Slushie – Are They the Same?
This is one of the most searched questions in frozen beverages.
What Is a Slushie?
A slushie is a:
- Frozen drink made from water, syrup, and ice
- Kept semi-frozen using a slush machine
- Commonly sold at fairs, cinemas, cafés, and convenience stores
Slushies are a generic product, meaning any brand or store can sell them.
What Is a Slurpee?
A Slurpee is:
- A trademarked drink owned by 7-Eleven
- Made using carbonated or non-carbonated flavored bases
- Produced with specialized Slurpee machines
Important: Every Slurpee is a slushie, but not every slushie is a Slurpee.
Key Differences: Slurpee vs Slushie
| Feature | Slushie | Slurpee |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Generic | 7-Eleven only |
| Trademark | No | Yes |
| Availability | Anywhere | Only at 7-Eleven |
| Texture | Ice crystals | Smoother, aerated |
| Carbonation | Optional | Often carbonated |
ICEE vs Slushie – What’s the Real Difference?
What Is an ICEE?
An ICEE is:
- A brand-name frozen drink
- Highly carbonated
- Known for its smooth, foamy texture
- Commonly found in cinemas and theme parks
ICEE machines inject carbon dioxide, which changes both texture and mouthfeel.
ICEE vs Slushie Comparison
| Feature | Slushie | ICEE |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Generic | ICEE Company |
| Carbonation | Usually no | Yes |
| Texture | Grainy ice | Smooth & foamy |
| Equipment | Standard slush machine | Specialized ICEE machine |
If a customer wants a fizzy frozen drink, they usually mean ICEE, not a standard slushie.
You might also like: Slushy vs. Smoothie
What Is a Slushie? (Simple Definition)
A slushie is a semi-frozen flavored drink made by continuously mixing ice and liquid so it doesn’t freeze solid. It’s designed to stay soft, scoopable, and drinkable through a tap.
Slushies are popular because they are:
- Refreshing
- Customizable
- Affordable
- Easy to produce with the right machine
How Many Calories Are in a Slushie?
Calories depend on:
- Cup size
- Syrup type
- Sugar content
Average Slushie Calories:
- Small (8–10 oz): 80–100 calories
- Medium (12–16 oz): 120–180 calories
- Large (20+ oz): 200–300+ calories
Sugar-free syrups can reduce calories significantly, sometimes under 30 calories per cup.
You might also like: How To Make a Slushie at Home
What Is a Slurpee? (Simple Definition)
A Slurpee is a branded frozen drink sold exclusively at 7-Eleven, known for its smooth texture and wide range of bold flavors. It’s often carbonated and uses proprietary freezing equipment.
How Many Calories Are in a Slurpee?
Slurpees usually contain more calories than standard slushies because of:
- Higher sugar levels
- Larger serving sizes
Average Slurpee Calories:
- Small (12 oz): 150–180 calories
- Medium (22 oz): 230–260 calories
- Large (32 oz): 300–350+ calories
Diet or zero-sugar Slurpees can lower these numbers, but they’re not always available.
