Illuminated Slushy Thing #666 2Pk

Illuminated Slushy Thing #666 2Pk is a 6% ABV fruited hard seltzer from Chicago's Illuminated Brew Works, sold as a two-pack. What separates this release from the crowded seltzer field is its remarkably high fruit content — roughly 30% real fruit by the brewery's own description — delivering a raspberry, banana, sweet cherry, and marshmallow flavor profile that reads more like a smoothie than a standard seltzer.

Quick Facts: ABV: 6%  |  Origin: Chicago, Illinois  |  Style: Fruited Hard Seltzer  |  Brewery: Illuminated Brew Works

Production & Heritage

Illuminated Brew Works operates out of 6186 N Northwest Hwy on Chicago's Northwest Side, producing a rotating lineup of experimental small-batch beverages. The Slushy Thing series is the brewery's flagship experimental platform, with each numbered iteration featuring a different fruit and flavor combination. Entry #666 blends raspberry, banana, sweet cherry, and marshmallow into a sparkling fruit beverage base, with approximately 30% real fruit content — a figure that dwarfs the fruit contribution found in most mainstream hard seltzers.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe banana and sweet cherry dominate the initial nose, followed by a candy-like marshmallow sweetness. Tart raspberry emerges as the liquid warms slightly, adding a berry brightness to the overall bouquet.

Taste: The palate opens with a rush of mixed berry fruit — raspberry and sweet cherry land first, carrying genuine fruit weight thanks to the high juice content. Banana rounds out the mid-palate with a creamy, tropical quality, while marshmallow adds a soft, confectionery sweetness that ties the flavors together without becoming cloying.

Finish: Light carbonation cleans the palate quickly, leaving a short, fruity finish with lingering cherry and banana notes. The 6% ABV is virtually invisible, making it dangerously easy to drink.

How to Drink Slushy Thing #666

Pour it cold into a tumbler or drink it straight from the can — the fruit-forward character is best enjoyed well-chilled. For a frozen serve, blend with ice to lean into the "slushy" concept the series is named for. It also works as a base in a Seltzer Spritz, topped with prosecco for added effervescence and elegance. Try it in a Berry Shandy by mixing with lemonade, where the raspberry and cherry amplify the citrus. A Tropical Float — poured over a scoop of vanilla ice cream — plays off the banana and marshmallow notes for a dessert-style drink.

Best For

• Backyard cookouts and warm-weather gatherings where sessionability matters
• Craft beverage enthusiasts exploring limited-run seltzer releases
• Introducing beer-averse friends to the craft scene with an approachable, fruity option
• Building a tasting flight of numbered Slushy Thing variants for comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Slushy Thing #666 taste like? It tastes like a mixed-fruit smoothie with prominent raspberry, banana, and sweet cherry flavors layered over a marshmallow-like sweetness, all carried by light carbonation at 6% ABV.

How does Slushy Thing #666 compare to Truly Hard Seltzer? Slushy Thing #666 contains approximately 30% real fruit, giving it a substantially thicker body and more intense fruit flavor than Truly, which relies primarily on natural flavoring extracts at a similar ABV range.

Is Slushy Thing #666 good for beginners? Yes — the 6% ABV is moderate, the alcohol is well-hidden beneath layers of fruit, and the overall profile is approachable for anyone who enjoys fruit-flavored beverages.

Where is Slushy Thing #666 made? Slushy Thing #666 is brewed at Illuminated Brew Works, located at 6186 N Northwest Hwy in Chicago, Illinois, on the city's Northwest Side.

What foods pair well with Slushy Thing #666? Grilled chicken skewers complement the fruit sweetness with savory contrast. Soft pretzels with cheese dip match the marshmallow sweetness. Fresh fruit salad echoes the berry and banana notes. Vanilla cupcakes or cream-filled pastries mirror the confectionery finish. Spicy Thai spring rolls benefit from the carbonation and fruit sweetness cutting through the heat.

What sizes does Slushy Thing #666 come in? This release is available as a two-pack of cans from Illuminated Brew Works.

Is Slushy Thing #666 worth the price? Slushy Thing #666 positions as a craft-premium hard seltzer, and the 30% real fruit content and limited-batch production justify a higher price point than mass-market seltzers like Truly or White Claw.

Why Slushy Thing #666?

The defining feature here is fruit content — at roughly 30% real fruit, this is a categorically different drinking experience from mainstream hard seltzers that rely on flavor extracts. The numbered Slushy Thing series from Illuminated Brew Works treats each release as a one-off experiment, and #666's combination of raspberry, banana, sweet cherry, and marshmallow is a flavor stack you simply won't find on a grocery store shelf. With a 3.7 rating on Untappd across 158 reviews, it has earned a solid reputation among Chicago craft drinkers. For anyone looking beyond the White Claw paradigm, this is what small-batch seltzer can actually taste like.