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The Best Places to Get Frozen Drinks in Ann Arbor

The temperatures are starting to climb here in Ann Arbor and we need something to help us cool down fast! For those hot A2 days, there’s arguably no better way to cool off than by drinking a frozen drink. We’re talking about boozy milkshakes, slushies, ice-cold mocktails and more. 

To help you cool off this summer, we rounded up some of our favorite places to get a frozen drink in the Ann Arbor areaBelow, you’ll find a list of our favorite frozen cocktails, milkshakes, frostTEAs and more. Have a great summer! 

 

Alcoholic 

When looking for a frozen drink in the Ann Arbor areaBar 327 at Braun Court is a must. This friendly neighborhood bar is known for their ice-cold piña coladas, margaritas and other fun drinks they mix up in their frozen drink machines. For a non-alcoholic treat, they craft tasty, seasonal juice pops all summer. Just be sure to act swiftly whenever they announce a frozen pop-drop on Instagram as they tend to sell out quickly!  

 

Cantina Taqueria is one of our favorite spots in A2 for a margarita, so it’s no surprise to us that they also have one of the best frozen margs in towntoo! You can always get an icefilled piña colada, margarita or other special drink at their cozy University Street location or you can order a few for curbside pick-up! While you’re at it, don’t forget to throw in a few tacos and churros for the road.  

 

Since opening in 1960, this locally owned restaurant and bar has been the go-to for locals, students, families and more! Swing by the patio on a sunny summer day and you’ll quickly find out why. This homey spot offers tasty traditional Italian eats and rustic cocktails in Mason jars. They are particularly famous for their jugs of sangria, frosty frosésand other signature cocktails!  

 

Good Time Charley’s opened its doors in 1979 and has been serving hungry and thirsty Ann Arborites ever since! Now, they are known for delicious pub grub and massive fishbowl cocktails, but they also happen to have a few great frozen options that we just had to include on this list. The first is their signature piña colada, a refreshing and fruity daiquiri that will help get the summer started. They are also featuring a frozen Retox Water cocktail this season, featuring Deep Eddy lemon, cucumber vodka, fresh fruit, Sprite and more.  

 

The Grotto aims to be “everyone’s watering hole—and we think it’s safe to say they’ve accomplished their goal! This lively hotspot features 36 constantly rotating craft beer taps from across the country and the world; shelves of world-class bourbon scotch and other spiritsan excellent wine list; and a variety of creative cocktailsincluding plenty of frozen options. Plus, they are a hotspot for live music and food pop-ups during the summer! Keep an eye on their Facebook event page to see what they have going on this week. 

 

Any time is a good time for a rum-spiked batido from Frita Batidos! These tropical milkshakes are made with fresh fruit, crushed ice and Guernsey Dairy vanilla bean ice cream. Choose from flavors like coconut cream, fresh lime, hibiscus, passion fruit and chocolate. Pair it with one of their signature fritas and you have a classic Ann Arbor lunch sure to hit the spot on a hot summer day.  

 

It wouldn’t be a list of local frozen cocktails without mentioning Isalita, a go-to spot for frozen margaritas, shot-sized cocktails, Micheladas and floral sangrias. This season, you can enjoy their frozen Blood Orange Margarita, featuring silver tequila and lime, for $10 with the option to add a tequila float. They often feature new frozen specials on their social media, so be sure to check in before you go to see what’s new 

 

Sports, cocktails, watch parties, games—Regents Field is Ann Arbor’s ultimate sports bar. Located downtown, this bar/arcade offers both frozen drinks and skee ball, making it a fantastic summer outing destination. Their frozen Vodka Strawberry Lemonade is a refreshing seasonal treat that you’ll love sipping on while watching or playing a game. They also offer a menu of tasty appetizers, soups, salads, burgers and other sandwiches, all made using lots of local, fresh ingredients so be sure to try a few options when you go!  

 

Non-Alcoholic  

Sweeting is a bubble tea and handrolled ice cream café, serving up frosty treats all year long! While any of their cold drinks would make a great addition to hot day, we’re partial to their frostTEA smoothies. These icy milk tea smoothies are made with lactose-free creamer and come in a wide variety of flavors, like chocolate, matcha, mango, papaya and many more! Click here to explore their menu and order a few drinks togo at one of their two Ann Arbor locations. 

 

Sweetwaters is well-known throughout Michigan and Ohio (and even as far as Walnut Creek, California!), but the humble coffeehouse began right here in Ann Arbor. Alumni of the University of Michigan, Wei and Lisa Bee, founded the first Sweetwaters in 1993 in downtown A2. Here, they love frozen drinks so much that they have an entire menu dedicated to them, featuring items like Ice dragons, milkshakes, coffee frappes and more. Click here to explore them all! 
 

Thrive Juicery is a local destination for everything healthy. We’re talking ionized alkaline water, cold-pressed juice, raw dishes and so much more. They also have a large selection of blended dairy-free smoothies, featuring fresh fruit, vegetables, protein powders and other mix-ins of your choosing!   

 

Washtenaw Dairy may already be a famous destination for donuts, but if you’re skipping their ice cream, you’re missing out on some of Ann Arbor’s best! With over 30 flavors of ice cream alongside the best hand-dipped shakes and malts in town, everyone can find a cold, refreshing treat to enjoy. Follow the team on Instagram and get ready to drool. 

 

Brrrrr… that’s better! 

Where do you like to sip frozen drinks in Ann Arbor? Let us know in the comments below! 

 

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