Who says you need a giant machine to make delicious slushies at home? With this Zoku Slush Maker, you can turn any drink you’ve at home into slush in less than 7 minutes.
Zoku is currently the best-selling slushie maker cup on the market. It really does what it claims to do and has already taken the top spot on my list of best slushie makers for 2025.
If you’re considering getting one too, be sure to check out all the details about the Zoku Slush Cup below. There’s also a brief comparison between Zoku vs the Frozen Magic Cup.
Start Here: What to Read First?
Zoku Slush Maker At A Glance
You should absolutely think about getting the Zoku Slushy Maker if you love making your own slushies and want something you can quickly grab and enjoy once or twice a day.
Its ability to make instant slush in just 7 minutes without getting messy is so convenient. The only thing you might not like is the long time it takes to freeze the cup in the freezer.
Overall, it’s worth a little effort for something tasty.
What Is A Slushy Cup Maker?
Slushy cups are different from normal beverage cups. They have a double-walled design with a special freezing liquid used to fill the space between the two layers.
This liquid freezes when the cup is placed in the freezer for a few hours. Once frozen, you add your favorite beverage to the cup and that liquid is used to chill it.
You continuously stir/scrape the sides of the cup along the way and it turns into a perfect slush consistency in a few minutes.
Does The Zoku Slush Maker Actually Work?
The Zuko Slush and Shake Maker is exactly what it claims to be: a little handy-dandy device that makes one complete serving of a delicious frozen drink with the ingredients you pour in.
Just make sure the cup is completely frozen, and then it works great. You can turn fruit juice, soda, coffee, flavored syrup, or anything you’ve at home into slush – it works like magic in all cases.
The Science Behind the Zoku Slushy Cup
Zoku works just like all the other slushie cups out there. It needs to be frozen for 8+ hours before you can use it.
The only difference is how you use it: you do not need to squeeze Zoku. You simply stir the mixture constantly to keep it from freezing solid.
The slush maker comes with three parts in the box. First is the protective outer sleeve that will keep your hands from freezing when you stir the cup. Then there is the main inner core part that you will freeze and put back into the outer sleeve to use.
It also comes with a special spoon in the box to help you mix and scrape the cup easily. And since you just freeze the cup and use it, it doesn’t require any power to run.
How Long Does Zoku Slushie Cup Take To Freeze?
The time you need to put the Zoku inner core in the freezer as recommended by the brand is 8+ hours. From my experience, it can easily take 6 – 18 hours for the inner core to freeze to the right temperature from room temperature.
Once frozen, it will take about 7 minutes for your drink to turn into slush. And two slushies can be made from one frozen cup cycle. That said, it will take about 10-15 minutes for a hot liquid to turn into a slush like a coffee drink.
Pro Tip: Freeze the inner core (standing upright) immediately after use, before it gets to room temperature. Then it only takes 6-8 hours to refreeze completely.
How To Use Zoku Slushy Maker – Slushy Cup Instructions
The Zoku Slushie Maker offers a fun and mess-free way to make amazing slushies at home. There are lots of recipes you can try with this magical cup, and each one only takes a few minutes to get ready. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Put the inner core in the freezer for 8 hours or until it is completely frozen. Take it out and place it in the outer sleeve.
Step 2: Pour your favorite drink and wait for some frost to form on the sides of the cup. Then scrape the frost from the sides into the liquid with the provided spoon.
Pro Tip: The more you stir, the more icy and thick the consistency of your slush will be. If you don’t want it too icy, you don’t do it too long.
Step 3: Stir the mixture every few minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. If you don’t stir constantly, you’ll end up with a big ice cube.
And now your tasty slushy is ready to enjoy!
NOTE: Don’t clean this cup after using in the dishwasher. The parts are not dishwasher safe. Always hand wash it with a quick rinse of some soapy water.
Key Features Of Zoku Instant Slushy Maker
The Zuko slushie making cup is designed to be hassle-free and fun to use. The following are the features that I love the most about it.
Easy to Use & Versatile:
This cup is ideal for preparing many different frozen drinks, including slushies, milkshakes, smoothies, and more.
Unlike a blender or big slushie machine, this slushy cup is pretty easy to use and clean. There’s no mess or frustration involved in using it either.
Instant Slush Ready:
You no longer need to wait hours or go on many slushie runs. With Zoku, it takes only 7 minutes to turn your favorite drink into a refreshing slushy.
It’s perfect for preparing small batches of slushies whenever you want.
Cute, Compact, Safe:
The design of the cup is cute and it also comes in 6+ fun colors. It has an 8-ounce capacity, so it fits perfectly in your hand. It’s about the same size as any regular cup found in the home.
The most important thing to know about this cup is that its design is BPA and phthalate-free. This means it is completely non-toxic and safe to use.
And since the cup works purely on freeze and use mechanism, you don’t need batteries or electricity to power it up. Just freeze it, and you’re good to go.
Things to Be Aware of When Buying Zoku Cup
The Zoku Slushee Cup has so far proven itself a very fun and unique product, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. I have also noted some downsides that you should be aware of before you get one. This includes:
Small Capacity:
The 8-ounce capacity of this cup is not that big at all. You can only make one drink at a time and if you need to make a huge batch of drinks, this is not the one for you.
Pre-Freezing Required:
Some may find it inconvenient to wait 8+ hours for the cup to freeze before they can use it. And suppose one day you forget to freeze it? Well, you have to wait 8 hours before it’s ready to use again.
Not Dishwasher Safe:
Like other slushy cups, this Zoku is not dishwasher safe. This is because of the gel material inside the cup that helps to freeze the drinks. But still, it is easy to hand wash it with cold water. So it shouldn’t be a deal breaker.
Zoku Slush Maker Recipes
One of the cool things about this Zuko Cup is that you can use it to make different things. You can find many different recipes on their Blog or even through Pinterest.
I also have a recipe that I find particularly tasty. It’s below, and I’ve shared instructions on how you can make it.
In your Zoku Slush Cup, add:
- 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 2-3 drops of vanilla extract.
For the chocolate twist, add 2 scoops of cocoa powder. Or you can also add half a banana and mash it while stirring the mixture.
Now fill the rest of the cup with milk and scrape the sides until you get a perfect slushy consistency. Enjoy!
Zoku Vs Frozen Magic Cup – Squeeze Vs Stir Slush Cup
Frozen Magic Cup more commonly called TikTok Slushy Cup is another very popular slush maker after Zoku. Both of them provide the same result, but the way they are designed is very different.
In the Zoku slushie maker, we stir or scrape the sides with a spoon to turn the drink into a slush. Whereas in a Frozen Magic Cup, you basically squeeze the cup to break the frost and create a slushy consistency.
Here are the reasons I prefer using the Zoku over the Frozen Magic Cup.
- Cleaning: Due to lots of little nooks and crevices in Frozen Magic Cup, it becomes a bit of pain to clean it. Whereas Zoku’s smooth interior is quickly and easily rinsed.
- Longevity: The Zoku Cup design will last longer than a squeeze one. You just stir it instead of squeezing it. The cup can easily break or leak when squeezed.
- Convenience: The Zoku Cup comes with an outer sleeve to keep your hands from getting cold, but the Frozen Magic doesn’t. Plus, trying to eat slush afterward can be painful with Frozen Magic Cup due to its creases and folds.
How Much Is A Slushy Cup?
The price of the slushy cups typically ranges between $15-$20. Two of the most popular brands are Zoku and Frozen Magic Cup. Zoku is slightly more expensive than the Frozen Magic Cup, but both are very popular among users.
You can check the latest price on Amazon or the Official Store by clicking below.
Zoku Slushy Maker Reviews: What Are Others Saying About Zoku?
The Zoku turned out to be an excellent instant slushy cup than I expected. Almost every customer was surprised at how well this product works.
Everyone loved the flexibility that they could experiment with so many different recipes with any ingredients they already had at home with this little magic slushy cup.
I found some users complaining of the cup leaking from the bottom after a few months of use. However, these cases were rare given the overall satisfaction of everyone who purchased the Zoku.
Zoku Slushy Cup FAQs —
Is the slushy cup healthy?
A slushy cup is usually made from materials that are BPA and phthalate-free. The gel used inside the walls of the cup to freeze the liquid is also food-safe, so no doubt that these cups are non-toxic and healthy.
Can you reuse a slushy cup?
You can reuse the slushy cup many times. However, squeeze slushy cups are not as durable and tend to break or leak after a few months of use. Whereas the slushy cup from Zoku is likely to last longer because you simply stir the contents instead of squeezing.
Can you make diet drinks in a slushy cup?
In order for the slushy cups to work, you must use a drink with natural sugar. If you use diet beverages or sugar-free drinks, they will not freeze and not turn icy. Artificial sweeteners won’t work either.