Last weekend’s brutal NYC heat wave had this writer craving a frozen drink every afternoon. Normally, that meant sweating through a walk to 7-Eleven for a Slurpee. This time, though, the new Ninja Slushi Twist stayed home and did the work.

Ninja’s latest slushie machine builds on the original Slushi’s popularity, but with a big upgrade: two 48-ounce vessels that can make two completely different frozen drinks at once. Beyond classic slushies, it tackles frappés, milkshakes, frozen coffees, and smoothies - and because the two sides work independently, you can keep one alcohol-free for mocktails while the other mixes up cocktails.

For entertaining, this solves a real problem. Instead of making multiple batches or forcing everyone to agree on one flavor, both chambers run simultaneously, churning out enough frozen drinks for a crowd. Ninja claims it can make more than 10 drinks per batch - plenty for summer parties or family gatherings.

The standout feature is “Dual SlushAssist” technology, which in plain terms means the machine senses what’s in each chamber and adjusts the freezing temperature on its own. So a creamy milkshake stays smooth on one side while a fruit slush freezes to the perfect icy consistency on the other.

But the real star is the twist dispenser. You can pour each drink separately or turn a dial on the drip tray to swirl both flavors into one glass - great for layered drinks that look way more impressive than the effort they take. Cleaning is easy, too: hit the rinse button and add warm water until it runs clear.

Two caveats: the Slushi Twist is noticeably larger than the original, so check your counter space. And at $399.99, it’s a significant investment. If you only make the occasional frozen drink, it may be more machine than you need. But for larger households or anyone who loves hosting, the dual-vessel design makes a strong case for itself.