As we gear up for some summery cocktails, we start thinking about blending things — margaritas, daiquiris, milkshakes with homemade ice cream...
Problem is, this is our blender: A hand-held immersion blender that might not attack those chunky ice cubes as well as a regular blender. However, it is one of our favorite appliances. Let's talk about the pros and cons...
Pros: This baby can whirl a pot of simmering vegetables into a silky smooth soup in about three minutes flat. It eliminates the step of transferring soup, in batches, to a food processor — plus, it takes up far less room in our kitchen.
Many models (like the KitchenAid, above, available for $89.99 at Amazon) come with a whisk attachment that's great for beating a small amount of egg whites or whipping cream.
Cons: We're sure it would be great for milkshakes, but can it make slushy drinks? We wonder. We've never tried blending a tumbler full of ice and booze, but we're game — and we'd like to give it a shot before splurging on a full-size blender that takes up precious counter space.
Anyone blended margaritas with this little guy?
Related: Recipe: DIY Orange Smoothie
(Image: Amazon)
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wow, i'm surprised that you get such good results with that guy. I used to have an immersion blender and thought it was the most useless tool ever. Never really blended in the sense that a regular blender would (puree), just blended like a whisk or a wooden spoon would (blend & maybe mash a little). I wound up giving mine away after using it maybe 3 times to disappointing results. Would never have considered using it on ice any more than i would consider attacking ice cubes with a wooden spoon. :)
I have a Braun stick blender and loooooove it. It's so versatile, easy to clean, and takes up very little room. I really love the mini-chop attachment, it's so much easier than lugging out the food processor.
That said, I have to think you'd be better off with a blender for making a slushy drink. I don't think the immersion blender would handle whole ice cubes that well. Maybe you could crush them first, like in a ziploc bag with a tenderizer/hammer? That might be fun...
Don't do it. You'll destroy the blade. (I speak from experience, both mine and that of a few of my friends.)
Get a blender!
Would also like to put in a good word for the Braun hand held blender/processor/whisk. Does a great job (thoroughly blends) is easier to store and can be more convenient than using the food processor.
I'm never called upon to blend ice tho'... so now I'll use the blender when that moment comes...
I have the cuisinart immersion blender/whisk/processor and absolutely love it. I have found it to puree soup much better than my blender, and I love having a mini food processor, which I would not have bought separately. It's also an easy way to make a smoothie, and with less to clean than getting out the blender.
re smoothie - I didn't use ice cubes, and found it to do only an okay job with frozen fruit - so I doubt slushy drinks will be the best use.
I do love my immersion blender for pureeing soups and sauces and and such...but then I succumbed to the allure of a late night infomercial and got myself one of those Magic Bullets. And guess what?
I love it! It really does do all they say, and it is small and handy and super-easy to wash and comes with mugs and all kinds of handy attachments.
I have used it to make a small amount of pesto, grate cheese, whip up a little serving of cream, etc., and it is PERFECT for smoothies and icy blender drinks. I use it for something almost every day! I got it at BB&B on sale, and then with a 20% off coupon, so it cost me about $40.
I've never used the whisk attachement on my cuisinart blender... but the little food processor attachment is super handy.
I'm going to try making my own frozen yogurt with fresh fruit this week. MMMMM summery!
I love my Kitchenaid (exactly the one pictured above), though I haven't used it to make margaritas. I usually pull out my blender.
i also have the cuisinart version, with immersion blender/processor/whisk. i love it, but not for slushy drinks. i have tried very unsuccessfully to make margaritas and other slushy drinks, and i couldn't get the ice cubes as broken up as much as i would like. i ended up buying a regular blender, but only take it out for making drinks.
Peggasus--I'm thrilled to hear your Magic Bullet review. Now I kinda want one.
I just received the cuisinart immersion blender for a housewarming present (I asked for it) because I make soups all the time. I love it, but don't think it is husky enough for ice cubes.
I have the Braun immersion blender and LOVE it also. I've easily made smoothies with frozen fruit. I've chopped ice, but it is difficult. Then again, I'd rather blend all the other ingredients for a margarita and pour them over ice in a glass. (less melting)
I agree, it takes up no room, purees soup in minutes, and chops veggies in a flash.
I have this immersion blender and I love it! It's great for pureeing soups and making milkshakes, which is why I bought it.
Never used it to make a slushie drink, though, since I hardly ever make them.
I have a very very cheap/old one (which I am now looking to replace) and I love it, even thought it's not working so well anymore. I don't think I could make soup or gravies without it
it´s the tool of choice for making gazpacho in Spain. everyone has one.
i had a wolfgang puck immersion blender that worked great for making slushies. This kitchenaid is only 200 watts, the wolfgang puck one is 500 watts, which may explain why it was easier to make slushies with it.