The slush machine was a lifesaver during the New York heat wave.

Last weekend’s brutal New York heat wave had me craving a frozen drink almost every afternoon. Typically, this means sweating it out while strolling to 7-Eleven for a Slurpee. But this time I stayed home and tested out the new Ninja Sushi Twist.

Ninja’s latest slush machine builds on the popularity of the original Slush, but with major upgrades. Instead of a single mixing chamber, the Sushi Twist has two 48-ounce containers that allow you to make two completely different frozen drinks at the same time. In addition to classic slushies, you can also make frappes, milkshakes, frozen coffee, and smoothies. Because the two sides operate independently, one side can be mixed for cocktails while the other remains non-alcoholic for mocktails.

For fun, these machines solve real problems. Instead of making multiple batches or asking everyone to agree on one flavor, both chambers work simultaneously to make enough frozen drinks for a crowd. Ninja says it can make more than 10 drinks per batch. This is enough for a summer party or family gathering.

A standout feature is what Ninja calls “Dual SlushAssist” technology. Simply put, the machine detects what is in each chamber and adjusts the freezing temperature for that side on its own. This means your creamy milkshake can remain smooth on one side, while your fruity slush can freeze to the perfect icy consistency on the other side.

But my favorite feature is the twist dispenser. You can pour each drink separately or turn the dial on the drip tray to mix two flavors in one drink. This is great for creating layered drinks that look much more impressive than the effort.

Cleaning is also easy. Press the rinse button and continue adding warm water until it runs clean.

There are two things to keep in mind before purchasing. The Sushi Twist is noticeably larger than the original model, so you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of counter or storage space. Even at $399.99, it’s a significant investment. If you only make the occasional frozen drink, you may need more machines than you need. But for larger families or anyone who likes to host, the dual container design makes a strong case for itself.