Nostalgia is the budget name in frozen drink machines. The company sells its appliances under its own name and under brands such as Taco Tuesday, and on Amazon it has half a dozen machines with “margarita machine” in the title, from a 32-ounce slush maker to a one-gallon party machine with a car-outlet adapter.
They do not all work the same way. Some shave ice and blend it like a Margaritaville, some spin ice in a shaving cage, and one freezes the drink with salt and ice like an old ice cream maker. This review sets out what Nostalgia and its Amazon listings state for each, what published reviewers found, where the machines fall short, and which one we would point most home cooks to.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a working Mexican kitchen looks for in a frozen drink machine, the maker’s own specifications and published reviews, which we name. We have not used these machines ourselves.
Quick verdict: which Nostalgia machine to buy
For most homes, buy the Nostalgia 64-Ounce Margarita Machine (model MSB64). It shaves and blends regular ice cubes, makes 64 ounces at a time, dispenses through a spout and is the budget pick in our guide to the best margarita machine for home. Choose the 1-gallon Margarita & Slush Machine for a big outdoor party, and expect to work for a smooth texture with either: reviewers found Nostalgia’s results less consistent than a Margaritaville’s.
Below: how Nostalgia’s frozen drink makers differ, the full review of the 64-ounce machine, its strengths and drawbacks, and what to buy if a Nostalgia is not right for you.
Nostalgia’s frozen drink makers, model by model
Nostalgia’s own store lists more frozen drink machines than we can cover; these are the margarita machines that were in stock on Amazon when we checked. Here is what Nostalgia and the listings state for each.
| Machine | Model | How it freezes | Capacity | Size and weight (Nostalgia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 64-Ounce Margarita Machine | MSB64 | Shaves regular ice cubes and blends; Shave, Blend and Shave-Blend settings | 64 oz | 11 x 11 x 20 in; 7 lb |
| 1-Gallon Margarita & Slush Machine | MSB1AQ | Stainless steel shaving-blending cage; double-wall insulated chamber | 1 gallon (128 oz) | 19.25 x 12 x 10 in; 8.6 lb |
| Taco Tuesday 1-Gallon Tailgater | TTMSBINV1WG | Shaving-blending cage; AC/DC inverter for a 12-volt car outlet | 1 gallon (128 oz) | 13 x 13 x 22 in; 10 lb |
| Retro 40-Ounce Frozen Beverage Station | NFBS4 | Blades shave ice cubes while a paddle stirs; twist-lid safety switch | 40 oz | Not stated |
| 32-Ounce Retro Slush Drink Maker | NSM32RRD1 | Crushed ice and salt around a canister; Freeze, Off and Dispense switch | 32 oz | Not stated |
Three ways to a frozen drink. The 64-ounce machine works like a small Margaritaville: ice cubes go into a chamber, the motor shaves them, and the blade blends the snow into your drink. The one-gallon machines spin the drink inside a stainless steel cage with grater-style holes, which The Spruce Eats describes as shaving the ice “into snow rather than blades to smash it into pieces”. The 32-ounce Retro Slush Drink Maker is a different idea again: Nostalgia says you pack crushed ice and salt around a canister, and a dasher stirs sugar-based drinks until they freeze. It takes more time and more mess, and Nostalgia describes it for sugar-based drinks and juices.
What we left out. Nostalgia also sells a compressor machine, the Professional Frozen Slush Machine (model NFSM12SB), which freezes up to 2.8 liters with no ice, much like a Ninja SLUSHi. It was low in stock on Amazon when we checked, so we have not recommended it. Coca-Cola and Taco Tuesday editions of the 32- and 40-ounce machines differ mainly in color and branding.
Check the listing you buy. The Amazon listing for the Taco Tuesday Tailgater says 128 ounces in its title, but its feature list describes the 64-ounce shave-and-blend machine and its title gives dimensions of 10 by 12 by 9 inches, which do not match Nostalgia’s figures. Nostalgia’s own page describes a one-gallon machine with a shaving cage and an inverter.
Nostalgia margarita machine reviews: the 64-ounce MSB64
This is the Nostalgia we recommend for most kitchens, and the same machine that is the budget pick in our margarita machine roundup.
1. Nostalgia 64-Ounce Margarita Machine – Big Batch, Simple Controls
Nostalgia’s 64-ounce machine follows the Margaritaville idea at an entry-level position. You fill the chamber with regular-sized ice cubes, add tequila, mix or fruit, and choose Shave, Blend or Shave-Blend from the control panel. Nostalgia says the motor “crushes ice perfectly, no large chunks like regular blenders can leave behind”.
The chamber holds 64 ounces, nearly twice the jar on a Margaritaville Bahamas, so one batch covers more glasses. Rather than pouring from a pitcher, you turn an easy-flow spout to fill a glass, and a detachable cup rest and drip tray sit below it. Nostalgia lists it at 11 by 11 by 20 inches and 7 pounds, so it is light to carry out to a patio, but tall enough that you should measure the space under your cabinets.
For cleanup, Nostalgia says the shaving-blending chamber detaches from the base, and the cord stores in the bottom of the unit. Neither Nostalgia nor the Amazon listing says whether the parts are dishwasher safe, so follow the manual. The listing gives a 90-day limited warranty, shorter than the one year Margaritaville and Ninja offer.
Why we like it
- 64-ounce capacity for bigger batches
- Shave, Blend and Shave-Blend settings
- Uses ordinary ice cubes
- Spout, cup rest and drip tray for serving
- Light at 7 pounds, according to Nostalgia
Key specifications
| Model | MSB64 |
|---|---|
| Type | Ice shaver and blender |
| Capacity | 64 ounces |
| Power | Not stated by Nostalgia (200 W per Saveur) |
| Programs | Shave, Blend, Shave-Blend |
| Size | 11 x 11 x 20 inches; 7 lb (Nostalgia) |
| Cleaning | Chamber detaches from base; dishwasher use not stated |
| Warranty | 90-day limited |
Why we recommend it
Choose it if you want shaved-ice margaritas for a summer party or two and do not want to spend on a machine that will live in the garage most of the year. The large capacity and the spout are real advantages at its level.
Skip it if you want the same smooth texture every round or plan to use it every week: reviewers found its results inconsistent, and the 90-day warranty is the shortest of any machine in our roundup.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large 64-ounce batch
- Three simple settings
- Dispenses straight into the glass
- Lightweight and easy to move
Cons
- 90-day warranty
- Texture can vary from round to round
- Dishwasher use not stated
Where Nostalgia machines do well
Capacity for the money. Nostalgia’s machines hold more than most at their level: 64 ounces in the MSB64 and a full gallon in the two cage machines, against 36 ounces in a Margaritaville Bahamas. For a backyard party that means fewer rounds.
Built to be carried. The one-gallon machine has a carrying handle that locks the lid, a lock between pitcher and base, double-wall insulation that Nostalgia says keeps drinks cold for hours, and cord storage underneath. The Spruce Eats was “really impressed with just how many features this model has to make it more portable”. The Tailgater edition adds an inverter so it runs from a car’s 12-volt outlet.
Serving from a spout. The 64-ounce and one-gallon machines dispense through a spout, so guests can fill a glass without lifting a heavy pitcher, and the MSB64 has a drip tray to catch spills.
Ordinary ice. The shaving machines take regular ice cubes from the freezer or a bag, and the 40-ounce Frozen Beverage Station lists stainless steel blades that shave cubes into “fluffy snow-like ice”.
Light weight. At 7 to 10 pounds by Nostalgia’s figures, the 64-ounce and one-gallon machines weigh well under the 16 pounds The Spruce Eats measured for a Margaritaville Bahamas.
Drawbacks to weigh before you buy
Inconsistent texture. This is the complaint that comes up in every review we found. Saveur’s reviewers found that on the 64-ounce machine the ice sometimes became slush-like and sometimes left large pieces unblended. The Spruce Eats listed “Inconsistent texture” against the one-gallon machine.
Slow, and the motor warms the drink. The Spruce Eats wrote that the one-gallon machine’s instructions call for 10 minutes of blending, “which is way too much”; in that time the motor’s heat melted most of the ice, leaving a cold margarita with floating bits of ice rather than a slush. Its fix was to stop and stir every few seconds until the texture looked right.
Drips and clogs. The Spruce Eats noted that the one-gallon machine’s spigot dripped a little. Saveur found a 64-ounce Taco Tuesday-branded margarita and slushie maker could leak when serving, could clog, and took about seven minutes to shave its ice.
Short warranty on the main model. The MSB64’s listing gives 90 days; the one-gallon and Tailgater listings give one year.
Thin specifications. Nostalgia gives sizes and weights but no wattage for these machines, and does not say which parts go in the dishwasher. The Spruce Eats rated the one-gallon machine not dishwasher-safe, so plan to wash it by hand.
What published reviewers report
The Spruce Eats bought ten margarita machines and made margaritas and daiquiris in each side by side, in a roundup updated in May 2025 by writer Jason Horn. It named Nostalgia’s 1-gallon Margarita & Slush Machine its best large-capacity pick, praising the large capacity, the low cost and how portable it is, from the locking handle to the cord compartment. Its reservations were the drips and inconsistent texture, and the 10-minute blending time in the instructions. Its verdict was that “with some practice, this machine can deliver good performance, and for a small fraction of the price of many competitors.”
Saveur, in a 2022 roundup by Emily Cappiello, named a red 64-ounce, 200-watt Nostalgia Margarita Maker, which matches the MSB64, its best-style pick. Its reviewers liked the capacity, the bright look and how light it is to carry outdoors, and noted that the cup rest and drip tray detach for cleaning. Their reservation was the texture: in some rounds the ice became slush, in others large pieces were left unblended. Saveur also named a 64-ounce Taco Tuesday margarita and slushie maker its best for parties because guests can serve themselves, with the leaking, clogging and slow shaving described above.
We did not find a published review of the 40-ounce Frozen Beverage Station or the 32-ounce salt-and-ice machine, so what we say about them comes from Nostalgia’s descriptions.
Alternatives to a Nostalgia
If a Nostalgia does not suit you, these are the machines we would look at instead. Each is covered in more detail in our other guides.
- Smoother, more consistent shaved ice: the Margaritaville Bahamas Frozen Concoction Maker has a 36-ounce jar, automatic and manual shave and blend, dishwasher-safe parts and a one-year warranty. Our Margaritaville margarita machine reviews compare it with the rest of that line.
- No ice at all: the Ninja SLUSHi Professional (FS301) freezes the drink itself in an 88-ounce vessel and holds it for hours, according to Ninja. It needs 15 to 60 minutes per batch and sugar in the recipe; see our margarita machine vs Ninja SLUSHi comparison.
- One appliance for everything: the Ninja Professional Plus Blender (BN701) has a 1,400-peak-watt motor and a frozen-drink program, and it purees salsa the rest of the year.
Our take on Nostalgia’s margarita machines
Buy the 64-ounce MSB64 if you want a shaved-ice margarita machine for a few parties a year on a small budget: it holds a lot, pours from a spout and is light to carry. Buy the one-gallon Margarita & Slush Machine, or the Tailgater if you want to run it from a car, for outdoor parties where portability and volume matter more than a perfect texture. With either, use the Shave or Shave-Blend setting in short bursts, stop to stir, and taste before you serve.
If you would rather have the same smooth texture every round, spend more on a Margaritaville. If you want slush that waits for guests, look at a compressor machine instead.
A word on pouring. A gallon of frozen margaritas holds a lot of tequila; the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism defines a US standard drink as 1.5 ounces of 80-proof spirits. Measure the tequila, keep an alcohol-free batch going for drivers and anyone under 21, and put water on the table.
Nostalgia machine questions, answered
Is the Nostalgia margarita machine a blender?
Partly. The 64-ounce MSB64 shaves ice cubes and blends them with your drink, and you can run it on Blend alone. The one-gallon machines use a spinning stainless steel shaving cage instead of blender blades, and Nostalgia describes them for slush drinks and margaritas.
How long does a Nostalgia margarita machine take?
Longer than a Margaritaville. The Spruce Eats found the one-gallon machine’s instructions call for 10 minutes, and Saveur timed a 64-ounce Taco Tuesday machine at about seven minutes to shave its ice. Running it in shorter bursts and stirring gave The Spruce Eats better results.
Can you put Nostalgia machine parts in the dishwasher?
Nostalgia does not say. It says the chamber detaches from the base for cleaning, and The Spruce Eats rated the one-gallon machine not dishwasher-safe. Saveur’s write-up of the 64-ounce machine says its parts can go in the dishwasher, but its own summary lists it as not dishwasher-safe. Wash the parts by hand unless your manual says otherwise, and never put the base in water.
Which Nostalgia machine works without ice?
The Professional Frozen Slush Machine, which uses a compressor and cooling cylinder, according to Nostalgia; it was low in stock when we checked. The 32-ounce Retro Slush Drink Maker uses no ice in the drink but needs crushed ice and salt around its canister.
What should I put in a Nostalgia margarita machine?
A frozen margarita needs a little more lime and sweetness than one on the rocks, because cold dulls flavor. Our guide to the best margarita mix covers ready-made options, and our guide to frozen versus on-the-rocks margaritas explains the difference.
For the glasses, salt, shakers and tools that go with a machine, see our guide to margarita accessories. And if you would rather someone else made the margaritas tonight, see our drinks menu, browse the food menu or call to order.