How many calories are in a slush? A Comprehensive Guide to Your Favorite Frozen Treat

November 20, 2025 •

3 min read

With a supersized frozen drink capable of containing as many as 30 teaspoons of sugar, the calorie count can be surprisingly high. This makes many people wonder: exactly how many calories are in a slush, and what factors cause this number to fluctuate so significantly?

Quick Summary

The calorie content of a slush varies greatly, determined primarily by its size and brand. Most commercial slushes are loaded with sugar, providing little nutritional value and ranging from just over 100 calories for a small serving to well over 400 for larger cups. The high sugar concentration is vital for creating the drink's signature soft, icy texture.

Key Points

Variable Calories: A slush's calorie count depends primarily on serving size and brand, with amounts ranging from around 100 to over 400 calories.
High Sugar Content: Slushes are made mostly of sugar and water, with sugar acting as an antifreeze to create the icy consistency.
Empty Calories: Most commercial slushes are high in sugar and carbohydrates but lack protein, fat, and fiber, offering little nutritional value.
Significant Brand Differences: Major brands like Sonic and 7-Eleven have differing calorie counts for similar sizes and flavors, so it is important to check nutrition facts.
Healthy Alternatives Exist: Homemade options using diet soda, sugar-free sweeteners, or blending frozen fruit offer a satisfying, low-calorie alternative.

Understanding the Calorie Content in Your Slush

There is no single answer to the question of how many calories are in a slush. The final number is a combination of factors, including the serving size, the specific brand, and the flavor. A slush is primarily composed of flavored syrup mixed with crushed ice, meaning most of its calories come from sugar. For example, an average 8 fl oz (1 cup) slush has been noted to contain approximately 107-110 calories. However, this is just a starting point, as cup sizes vary drastically between vendors.

The Role of Sugar in Slush Composition

To achieve its unique, soft consistency, a slush machine requires the mixture to be 12-22% sugar. This high sugar content serves as an antifreeze, preventing the water from freezing solid. This crucial component explains why most commercial slushes are essentially pure sugar water with artificial flavoring, containing negligible amounts of fat, protein, or fiber. This means the calories you are consuming are often empty calories, providing energy without any other nutritional benefit.

Calorie Breakdown by Brand and Size

Across different chains, the calories in a slush can differ widely. Let's examine some popular examples based on available nutrition information:

A small (12 oz) Coca-Cola Slurpee from 7-Eleven contains approximately 105 calories, while an extra large (40 oz) version of the same flavor packs in 349 calories.
Sonic Drive-In's large grape slush contains 450 calories and a staggering 119 grams of sugar. Their large cherry slush is similarly high, with 460 calories and 122 grams of sugar.
For comparison, a small blue raspberry slushie from McDonald's contains 190 calories, whereas a large one contains 340 calories.

These examples clearly illustrate how quickly the calories add up, especially when choosing a larger size. It's important to note that these values represent the base drinks, and any add-ons or customizations will increase the total caloric load.

Comparing Popular Slush Drinks

Here is a quick look at the calories and sugar content of some major brand offerings:


Brand/Flavor	Serving Size	Estimated Calories	Estimated Sugar (g)
7-Eleven Coca-Cola Slurpee	Small (12 oz)	105	27
7-Eleven Coca-Cola Slurpee	Large (28 oz)	244	63
Sonic Cherry Slush	Large (32 oz)	460	122
McDonald's Blue Raspberry Slushie	Large (32 oz)	340	89
Slush Puppie Cherry Slush	Small (10 fl oz)	130	32

Finding Lower-Calorie Slush Alternatives

If you're seeking a healthier way to satisfy your frozen drink cravings, there are several options to explore, many of which can be made at home with simple ingredients.

Homemade recipes:

Diet soda slush: Using diet soda and a sugar-free sweetener is an excellent way to eliminate almost all calories while retaining the flavor.
Fruit and veggie slush: For a more nutritious boost, blend frozen berries or other fruit with water and a sugar-free sweetener. Some people even add frozen vegetables like spinach to increase fiber without altering the taste much.
Infused sparkling water: A simpler approach is to freeze cubes of flavored sparkling water and blend them for a low-calorie, naturally carbonated treat.
Herbal tea slush: Brew and cool herbal tea, then blend it with ice and a sweetener for a fragrant and calorie-free refresher.

For more detailed, low-carb slushie ideas, you can check out the South Beach Diet's tips for low-carb slushies.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the calorie count of a slush is dependent on its size and the specific brand and flavor chosen. Because commercial slushes are predominantly sugar water, they offer minimal nutritional benefits and can contribute significantly to daily sugar intake, with large sizes containing hundreds of calories. While a refreshing treat, they are best enjoyed in moderation. For those seeking a healthier, lower-calorie alternative, making a homemade version with sugar-free sweeteners, diet soda, or frozen fruit provides a delicious and guilt-free way to beat the heat.

By understanding the factors that influence the calorie content and exploring healthier alternatives, you can make more informed choices without completely giving up on the satisfying experience of a frozen drink.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, slush calories can vary slightly by flavor, even within the same brand. Different syrups and additives may have different sugar concentrations, leading to minor variations in the final calorie count.

Slushes are high in sugar because it is a key ingredient for creating the characteristic slushy texture. The sugar acts as an antifreeze, preventing the water and flavoring from freezing into a solid block of ice, resulting in the soft, crushed ice consistency.

Yes, a low-sugar slush can be made at home by using sugar-free ingredients. Options include blending diet soda, using sugar-free sweeteners like stevia, or mixing frozen fruit with water and a low-calorie sweetener.

The calorie count for a small (12 oz) Coca-Cola Slurpee from 7-Eleven is approximately 105 calories, which is significantly less than the calories found in a large or extra-large serving.

No, commercial slushes are generally not considered healthy. They are high in sugar and calories, providing very little nutritional value such as protein, fat, or fiber. They should be considered an occasional treat rather than a regular part of a diet.

A large (32 oz) Sonic slush has a high calorie count, typically over 400 calories. For example, a large Sonic Cherry Slush contains 460 calories and 122 grams of sugar.

Great low-calorie alternatives to a slush include fruit-infused sparkling water, herbal tea blended with ice, or kombucha. These options provide a refreshing flavor with significantly less sugar and calories.