Step 1: Gather all your ingredients. Ensure your fruit is thoroughly frozen. If using fresh fruit, chop it into small pieces and freeze for at least 4-6 hours.
Step 2: Pour your liquid base (water or juice) into the bottom of your Ninja blender pitcher. This helps the blades catch the frozen fruit more easily.
Step 3: Add the frozen fruit and any optional sweeteners (honey, maple syrup) on top of the liquid in the blender pitcher.
Step 4: Secure the lid tightly on your Ninja blender. Start blending on a low setting, then gradually increase to a high speed. Use the pulse function as needed to break down the frozen fruit.
Step 5: Blend until the mixture is thick, icy, and completely smooth, with no large chunks of fruit remaining. You may need to stop the blender and scrape down the sides with a spatula to ensure even blending. If the mixture is too thick, add more liquid (1 tablespoon at a time) and re-blend until desired consistency is reached. If it’s too thin, add a few more pieces of frozen fruit or ice cubes and blend again.
Step 6: Taste the slushie and adjust sweetness or tartness as desired. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice if you want more zing.
Step 7: Pour immediately into chilled glasses. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or a slice of fruit, and serve with a straw. Enjoy your refreshing non-alcoholic Ninja slushie!