A month or two ago, we took Nicholas to a carnival where he had a snow-cone for the very first time … and fell in love with them. I’ve been meaning to pick up a snow-cone machine ever since then, and finally remembered over the weekend. With the cost under $25, I figured it works out to the cost of 4-5 snow-cones, so it would pay for itself very quickly; and it did, in the very first night.
The syrup and cups are hard to come by (anyone have a good online source?), but I managed to find a few bottles. We’ve experimented with cherry and blue raspberry so far – grape is up next. Hey, this site IS about the “fun” aspects of food too, and what better way to celebrate all things Summer than with homemade snow-cones? And just think of all the Cool Mom points I scored.
For more reading, you can check out some of my recent pieces on chocolate and your next “must have” cookbook. Until tomorrow…
A year ago today … Summer BBQ.
The snow cone stand at the farmers market a few blocks away does booming business. I was there the other day with the dog … for a CANINE COOLER. One of the blue-tongued kids came over to pet her, ask what kind of snow cone she’d had. EWWWW! he said when hearing hers was liver flavored, then announced with excitement, Mine is MONKEY SNOT and my brother, he’s got TIGER BLOOD. They’re yummy! Marketing … … … have fun with the snow comes. You’ll be the hit of the neighborhood!
Cups: At 3 1/2, I suspect Nicholas would be just as happy with some sort of dixie cup, maybe with his favorite character, or those ones with the corny jokes.
Syrups: This is a cooking blog, right? ;)
The world is your syrup! Simple syrup plus any number of things = snow cone syrup! Food color then can make it any crazy color you & Nicholas like!
Personally, I like to use italian syrups I get from the Italian Market here in Philly.
Machine: I saw those machines recently (Target?) but that hand crank looked like it was going to take a lot of effort. Has it been OK?
What a great idea, Alanna! With our lab, we used to buy Frosty Paws (a dairy frozen dessert for pups), but flavored Snow-Cones for the dogs sound even better!
Steve – You are full of good ideas. Dixie cups would be perfect and it didn’t occur to me to make my own syrup – I can see we’re going to be busy! The one I bought (pictured) doesn’t have a hand crank. You just fill the front with ice and turn the top, and away it goes. Doesn’t get much easier than that.
As far as I’m concerned…the only snowcone machine is the one with Snoopay on top!! lol
I found this site for syrups and supplies. It looks pretty good, hopefully you will find something you would like there.
http://www.1800shavedice.com/supac.html
Wendyb532
That’s a neat gadget! Boy snowballs are expensive near you. At our corner stand it’s only $1-2.
YES!!! I’ve been wanting one of those for when the nieces and nephew visit. How hard do you think it might be to make our own syrups? Would be fun to try. Or, to make grown up ones out of the coffeehouse syrups….just thinking out loud….Oh heck, I didn’t see Steve’s comment when I had the same thought about making your own. It wouldn’t be that hard and, like he said, it would be fun for kids to be able to choose their flavor and color. VERY COOL, Cate. Definite cool Mommy points.
if you go to Staples.com and search for cone cups they have them, their inexpensive and there are a LOT of them
When my kids were little we just used bowls and spoons along with regular straws.
Our favorite syrups are Torani. I use the sugar free ones myself for a no-calorie dessert. They have a full range of regular and sugar free flavors.
You could also use defrosted fruit juice concentrate.