Slush funds

Nothing says summer like slushy-drink–induced brain freeze.

Ben Pao’s (52 W Illinois St, 312-222-1888) frozen ginger ale (housemade ginger ale, citrus vodka, lemon syrup and candied ginger) channels the Pacific better than a rerun of M*A*S*H.

Frozen margaritas are a dime a dozen, but Uncle Julio’s (855 W North Ave, 312-266-4222) offers the more inventive frozen sangria. And while you’re at it, you may as well order the Swirl (pictured), a big, purple and white–striped mix of sangria and margarita that somehow makes us want to roll our rs.

Milk shakes are a timeless favorite. The downside: They usually lack alcohol. Not the mudslide at Calypso Café (5211 S Harper Ave, 773-955-0229), a Hyde Park standby that looks like a Tommy Bahama outlet store. Made from Kahlúa, Irish cream liqueur, crème de cacao and ice cream, this frozen treat is dinner, dessert and drink all in one.

Sidetrack (3349 N Halsted St, 773-477-9189) is a slushie house of worship, offering at least four rotating liquor-spiked concoctions at all times, such as the Ketel One Crash (vodka and some secret ingredients to make it bright purple), the Stoli Blueberry Pink Lemonade and the Absolut Apeach Lemon Ice. They’re loud and shameless—just like the show tunes that are broadcast here every weekend.

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