The Ninja SLUSHi Twist Has Made Me the Most Enviable Hostess of the Summer

Fast Facts

• Chambers: 2
• Max Capacity: 48oz per chamber
• Modes: 1
• Servings: 10+ 9-oz servings
• Makes: slushies, frappes, frozen cocktails, milkshakes

The Ninja SLUSHi Twist is the latest addition to the brand's SLUSHi line, which includes the original (64-ounce capacity, $300), SLUSHi XL (96-ounce capacity, $350) and the SLUSHi Max (112-ounce capacity, $370). The Twist has dual chambers, each with a 48-ounce liquid capacity, for a total of 96 ounces of liquid. (When frozen, each expands to 72 ounces for a total of 144 ounces.)

Though the Twist can't freeze as much as the Max model, it does offer several design upgrades from its predecessors.

• WhisperChill Compressor: I've tested other slushing machines before and can attest that some are LOUD. The WhisperChill compressor feels like a rustling breeze in comparison. It's not silent, but I was able to watch a movie and run the machine at the same time. (My kitchen and living room are open floor plan.)
• Dual SlushAssist: The previous models come with buttons from which you could select a mode (slush, spiked slush, frappe, milkshake, frozen juice and rinse). The SlushAssist feature is truly ingenious, sensing the ingredients and adjusting the temperature accordingly so that the texture is always perfect—for both milkshakes and slushies alike. You can control the texture by pressing the SlushAssist button to make it colder, but the tech does all the heavy lifting. The Dual SlushAssist button will synch both chambers. Other machines I've used did not have this technology, and as I dispensed slushies, the what remained would freeze over until it was too firm to be dispensed, necessitating that I pour in more liquid and start the whole process over again. The Twist is super intuitive, and I never ran into that problem. Every last drop dispensed with ease. And if you do need to top up, the machine can sense that, too.
• Twist Feature: The cup holder has a cool rotating base so that you can give a professional twist to your mixed drinks. Honestly I was so excited about the slushies I initially forgot about this feature, but it's fun. Though, do beware that it spins quickly.
• Intuitive Warning Lights: Reviews for older SLUSHi models have noted that the warning lights for low sugar content and/or water were a confusing flashing sequence. On the Twist, there are dedicated, clearly labeled buttons that will flash when you need one or the other.

I'm totally in love with the Twist, but here are a few things I'd wish I'd known beforehand.

• Bulky: This is a hefty machine. It weighs 35 pounds. The dimensions are 17.48 x 11.93 x 16.26 inches, and truthfully, I have absolutely no idea where I'm going to store this in my New York City kitchen.
• Strict Guidelines: This isn't unique to the SLUSHi line, but does deserve a mention. In order to freeze properly, your liquid will need a minimum of 4.5 percent sugar. (Example: 8 ounces of liquid needs 11 grams of sugar.) The other thing concerns frozen cocktails; alcohol content can't exceed 20 percent. (Example: 24 ounces of liquid can have up to 6 ounces of alcohol in the mix.)
• Clean-Up Is Complicated: This is a given, but double the chambers means double the clean-up. The manual also recommends hand-washing, so it's not something you can just pop in the dishwasher. There are little condensation catchers beneath each chamber, which is nice because it'll catch all the sticky drippings. After wiping down the cooling rod, you can remove the catchers, dump them out and clean without worrying that the machine itself is going to become a sticky mess.

This machine in all its glory—its 35-pound, $400 glory—is not for the faint of heart. It is an investment. You will need to store it some place. However, if you regularly entertain large groups, there could not be a better showstopper short of gathering your guests around the stove as you flambé bananas foster. (And, FWIW, I'm sure neighborhood kids would go nuts. You'd be the best parent on the block. Is this the new lemonade stand?)

If you do take the plunge, the SLUSHi Twist earns its keep. It's a one-button operation, produces frozen drinks with amazing texture and doesn't require any babysitting. Having just tested a similar machine that needed tons of babysitting and still flopped at the same price point, I can attest that Ninja delivers. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to make a root-beer-vanilla-milkshake twist.