Frozen drink machine FAQ and glossary

This frozen drink FAQ gives short, direct answers about renting a two-bowl margarita and slushie machine in Austin and Central Texas, plus a glossary of the terms you see when you plan. Start with the quick facts and the glossary, or jump to the questions by topic: booking, power and setup, flavors, kids, and amounts.

Every answer here applies to our two-bowl machines, delivered and set up by our team across Austin and Central Texas. If your question isn't covered, check the main FAQ or contact us before you book, and we're happy to help you plan the right setup for your crowd.

Quick facts

Party math by guest count

Plan on one mix for about every 20 guests and one machine for up to 100 guests. Round up so you don't run out; unopened mixes are refunded at pickup.

For four or more machines, contact us.

Glossary

Two-bowl machine. A frozen drink machine with two freezing bowls side by side, so it pours two flavors at once. You can also put the same flavor in both bowls.

Bowl. One freezing chamber on the machine. Each bowl holds and pours one flavor.

Mix. A bottle of non-alcoholic drink base. We carry 33 mixes, and only our mixes go in the machines. One mix serves about 20 guests.

Batch. One mix blended with water (and alcohol, if you add it) in a 5 gallon jug, then poured into a bowl.

Batch jug. The 5 gallon jug you use to mix a batch before you pour it into the machine.

Auger. The spiral inside each bowl that turns to keep the drink moving while it freezes, so it stays smooth instead of setting into a block.

Freeze time. How long a fresh batch takes to turn frozen. Plan on about 2 hours for the first batch.

Leaded bowl. A bowl with alcohol added, such as a margarita made with tequila. Label it clearly and keep an adult nearby when kids are at the party.

Unleaded bowl. A bowl with no alcohol. Any of our mixes works unleaded as a slushie, so a kids party can run unleaded in both bowls.

Slushie. A frozen drink with no alcohol. Every mix is a slushie until you add alcohol.

Rim. The edge of the cup, coated with salt or sugar before you pour.

Rim salt and cocktail sugar. Toppings for the rim. We sell Lime Margarita Salt, Citrus Jalapeño Salt, Tajín Classic Seasoning, Sweet Heat Cocktail Sugar, Chocolate Cocktail Sugar, and Peppermint Cocktail Sugar. Each 4 oz package rims about 40 drinks.

Serving. One 8 oz frozen drink. Mix yields on this page count 8 oz servings.

Party Package. One machine, one mix, and 50 cups and straws.

Rolling machine cart. A cart that holds one machine, so you don't need a sturdy table.

Dedicated circuit. An electrical circuit used only by the machine, with no other appliances on it. Keep microwaves, refrigerators, and space heaters on a different circuit.

Generator. A portable power source. At a public park, you need one with at least 3,500 watts per outlet.

Same-day drop-off and pickup. We deliver and pick up on your party day.

Multi-day rental. Keeping the machine for more than one day; you can book up to 7 days online.

Ice chest. A cooler for other drinks. We rent ice chests from 120 to 150 quarts.

Booking

How do I book a machine? Book online. Use Price my party to see your total, then check out online in minutes.

How far ahead do I need to book? Online booking needs 2 days' notice.

Can I pick up the machine myself? No. We deliver, set up, and pick up every machine.

Where do you deliver? Austin and Central Texas, including Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander, Pflugerville, Hutto, Liberty Hill, Kyle, Temple, Belton, Waco, and College Station. See delivery areas for the full list.

Can I keep the machine for more than one day? Yes. You can book multi-day rentals of up to 7 days online.

Do you offer same-day drop-off and pickup? Yes. Same-day drop-off and pickup is an option when you book.

What happens to mixes I don't open? Unopened mixes are refunded at pickup.

Do your gift cards expire? No. Gift cards never expire, you can transfer them, and you can use one per order.

Are there dates you're booked out? Yes. Our machines are booked out Oct 29 to Nov 2, 2026; Nov 21 to Dec 3, 2026; and Mar 8 to 16, 2027.

How much does it cost? It depends on how many machines, mixes, and add-ons you pick. See our prices, or price your party online.

Power and setup

What power does the machine need? A standard 110 volt outlet on its own circuit. Keep other appliances off that circuit.

Can I use the machine at a park? Yes, with a generator of at least 3,500 watts per outlet.

Can the machine go outside? Yes, on a solid surface with power nearby. We can't set up on rock or gravel.

What do I need to have ready? A garden hose and water source ready when we arrive, a sturdy table or our rolling machine cart, and your alcohol if you plan to add any.

When do you set up? We set up 2 to 3 hours before the party and show you how the machine works.

How long does it take to freeze? About 2 hours for the first batch.

Do I need ice? No. The machine freezes the drinks.

Who cleans the machine? We do. We pick up the machine after the party and clean it.

Flavors

How many flavors can I choose? We carry 33 mixes. Each machine pours two flavors at once; with 3 machines you can serve up to six.

Can I put the same flavor in both bowls? Yes. Many hosts fill both bowls with Lime margarita for a big crowd.

What are the most popular flavors? Lime margarita was in about 63% of our 2025 orders, and Strawberry margarita was in about 27%.

Do you provide the alcohol? No. You provide the alcohol, and we provide the machine and the non-alcoholic mix.

Can I bring my own mix? No. Only our mixes go in the machines.

Do you have wine or tropical flavors? Yes. Wine and bubbly mixes include Sangria, Frosé, and Peach Bellini. Tropical mixes include Piña Colada, Blue Hawaiian, Hurricane, Rum Runner, and Mai Tai. Browse all 33 flavors.

Kids

Can kids have slushies from the machine? Yes. Every mix is alcohol-free until you add alcohol, so any flavor works as a kids slushie.

Which flavors do kids like best? Blue Raspberry, Cherry, Cherry Bomb, Fruit Punch, Watermelon, Strawberry, Green Sour Apple, and Orange Dreamsicle are easy picks.

Can one machine serve margaritas and kids slushies? Yes. Put a margarita in one bowl and a slushie in the other, and label each bowl clearly.

Can I make both bowls kid-friendly? Yes. For a kids-only party, skip the alcohol and pour slushies in both bowls.

How many cups come with a rental? The Party Package includes 50 cups and straws. Extra cups and straws come in packs of 50.

Amounts

How many guests does one machine serve? Up to 100 guests. For bigger parties, rent 2 or 3 machines; for four or more, contact us.

How many drinks does one mix make? A margarita mix makes about 75 frozen drinks of 8 oz. Daiquiri, piña colada, and most fruit slushie mixes make about 50.

How many mixes do I need? Plan on one mix for about every 20 guests.

How much tequila do I need? Each margarita mix takes 1 to 2 bottles (1.75 liter) of tequila.

What is the batch recipe for a margarita? Mix 1 bottle of margarita mix, 1½ bottles (1.75 liter) of tequila, and 3½ gallons of water in a 5 gallon jug, then pour it into the machine. See more on frozen drink recipes.

How many machines do I need for 150 guests? Two machines, since one machine serves up to 100 guests.

Ready to plan? Check dates and book online in minutes, or get a quick estimate first.