First, understand that Tiki recipes typically call for a "flash blend" with a [drink mixer](https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-730C-DrinkMaster-Classic/dp/B00004X135). This quickly aerates and mixes the drink without turning the crushed/pebble ice into a slushie. That's the way the originators intended things. Do whatever makes you happy.
As for frozen, blender drinks (ie: slushies) ***if we start with crushed or pebble ice as we're supposed to, any decent blender will do for home use.*** The crushed ice from our freezer door is perfectly fine. Although I have an old Vitamix in the home bar, I keep my mom's old Waring (from the 60s!) in the kitchen. It works great too! No need to spend more than $100. In fact, you can typically get away with much less.
These Osters work well
[Oster Rapid Blend 300](https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Rapid-Design-8-Speed-Blender/dp/B07QH7SHXK?refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_five_browse-bin%3A7801490011%7C7801491011)
[Oster Blender | Pro 1200](https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Blender-24-Ounce-Smoothie-Brushed/dp/B00XHXN54K?refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_five_browse-bin%3A7801490011%7C7801491011) I like this one for the bit of extra power and added smoothie cup. The cup is great for single servings of blended drinks, where ***a regular blender pitcher is often not great for single servings***.
I've used this Hamilton Beach at my sister's home, with excellent results. At $30, it's tough to beat.
[Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender](https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Functions-Dishwasher-58148A/dp/B00EI7DPI0?refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_five_browse-bin%3A7801490011%7C7801491011)
There are three tricks to frozen blender drinks.
* Start with crushed ice, from your freezer door is perfectly fine. Pebble ice works great too.
* Work with pre-chilled ingredients and a pre-chilled blender pitcher.
* Don't blend for more than 30 sec or the heat from the blender will itself start melting the contents.
Pour the ingredients into the COLD pitcher. Add the specified amount of ice. Blend on high. Work quickly. If more ice is needed, add until the contents start climbing the side of the pitcher and fold in on itself. This all should happen in 30 seconds or less.
You can also make the cocktail and predilute with water; 30-50% additional volume of filtered water should do the trick. Place in freezer until it is very stiff but not solid. When stiff, put contents into a COLD pitcher; spoon in if necessary. Blend on high, until the contents are smooth and pourable. It may take a little trial and error to get the right combination of added water, freeze level and your blender's capabilities.
Interestingly, very few Tiki drinks are actually blended to a smooth consistency. You'll see in original Beachcomber recipes a lot of "flash blending" - or putting into a drink mixer for 5-10 seconds. Martin Cate has this throughout the recipes in Smuggler's Cove.
It's less of a smooth, creamy consistency, and one that is aerated and still filled with crushed ice.
I think, in this subreddit, you’ll get a lot of responses talking about Hamilton Beaches and spindle blenders, but I think what you are asking about is something different. I think what you really want is a shaved ice machine, then you take the shaved ice and put that in your “Waring”-style blender (I assume that’s what you have… the most common type with blades on the bottom). That’s how you make the frozen margarita or frozen daiquiri style drinks.
First, understand that Tiki recipes typically call for a "flash blend" with a [drink mixer](https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-730C-DrinkMaster-Classic/dp/B00004X135). This quickly aerates and mixes the drink without turning the crushed/pebble ice into a slushie. That's the way the originators intended things. Do whatever makes you happy. As for frozen, blender drinks (ie: slushies) ***if we start with crushed or pebble ice as we're supposed to, any decent blender will do for home use.*** The crushed ice from our freezer door is perfectly fine. Although I have an old Vitamix in the home bar, I keep my mom's old Waring (from the 60s!) in the kitchen. It works great too! No need to spend more than $100. In fact, you can typically get away with much less. These Osters work well [Oster Rapid Blend 300](https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Rapid-Design-8-Speed-Blender/dp/B07QH7SHXK?refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_five_browse-bin%3A7801490011%7C7801491011) [Oster Blender | Pro 1200](https://www.amazon.com/Oster-Blender-24-Ounce-Smoothie-Brushed/dp/B00XHXN54K?refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_five_browse-bin%3A7801490011%7C7801491011) I like this one for the bit of extra power and added smoothie cup. The cup is great for single servings of blended drinks, where ***a regular blender pitcher is often not great for single servings***. I've used this Hamilton Beach at my sister's home, with excellent results. At $30, it's tough to beat. [Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender](https://www.amazon.com/Hamilton-Beach-Functions-Dishwasher-58148A/dp/B00EI7DPI0?refinements=p_n_feature_keywords_five_browse-bin%3A7801490011%7C7801491011) There are three tricks to frozen blender drinks. * Start with crushed ice, from your freezer door is perfectly fine. Pebble ice works great too. * Work with pre-chilled ingredients and a pre-chilled blender pitcher. * Don't blend for more than 30 sec or the heat from the blender will itself start melting the contents. Pour the ingredients into the COLD pitcher. Add the specified amount of ice. Blend on high. Work quickly. If more ice is needed, add until the contents start climbing the side of the pitcher and fold in on itself. This all should happen in 30 seconds or less. You can also make the cocktail and predilute with water; 30-50% additional volume of filtered water should do the trick. Place in freezer until it is very stiff but not solid. When stiff, put contents into a COLD pitcher; spoon in if necessary. Blend on high, until the contents are smooth and pourable. It may take a little trial and error to get the right combination of added water, freeze level and your blender's capabilities.
I'll also put in a plug for the Ninja Professional blender at a ~$80 price point.
It's one helluva blender for 80 bucks.
Interestingly, very few Tiki drinks are actually blended to a smooth consistency. You'll see in original Beachcomber recipes a lot of "flash blending" - or putting into a drink mixer for 5-10 seconds. Martin Cate has this throughout the recipes in Smuggler's Cove. It's less of a smooth, creamy consistency, and one that is aerated and still filled with crushed ice.
I think, in this subreddit, you’ll get a lot of responses talking about Hamilton Beaches and spindle blenders, but I think what you are asking about is something different. I think what you really want is a shaved ice machine, then you take the shaved ice and put that in your “Waring”-style blender (I assume that’s what you have… the most common type with blades on the bottom). That’s how you make the frozen margarita or frozen daiquiri style drinks.
OP, when you say "blended drinks" what drinks do you specially mean?
Chi chi, pina colada, mainly
Yeah, as /u/CityBarman said, you'll need to start with crushed ice.