SNOW = Snow Cones & DIY Syrups

If it's Winter and there's SNOW - It's time for SNOW Cones!

I know, snow cones in winter? Well, I will concede that they are not as refreshing as they would be during a blistering hot summer's day, but they are still fun to make and eat. These snow cones are literally made with snow!

Occasionally after a new snowfall my family likes to go collect snow and have snow cones! Using snow eliminates at least one task associated with snow cones, shaving ice!

Just scoop up some clean snow and make your own snow cones.

You can make your own snow cone SYRUP and even your own paper snow-cone CONES!

Of course you can purchase retail snow cone syrup or alternatives, but making your own can be fun.

You need SNOW.

Make sure the snow is clean. If it has been any length of time since it has snowed you may want to remove the top layer to get to 'clean' snow.

Automobiles and yard furniture are great places to collect snow from as they are above ground level which reduces the likelihood of animal contamination; and you don't have to stoop down to get good snow.

This Instructable will explore using syrup from several sources; (from left to right in the photo):

1. Commercial Beverage Flavoring Syrup (sugar and sugar free).

2. Liquid Drink Enhancer (aka Mio)

3. Jell-O Gelatin Dessert

4. Kool-Aid Unsweetened Drink Mix powder (add granulated sugar)

5. Canned Fruit Packing Liquid (Artificially Sweetened Water & 100% Fruit Juice)

6. Sugar Free Gelatin Dessert

7. Sugar Free Retail Snow Cone Syrup

8. Maple Syrup

Parchment paper for making your own paper cones.

Squeeze Bottles, if desired.

Making Snow Cone Paper Cones

As noted, along with syrup, you can make your own paper cones.

Follow the next steps to create your own cones.

The results give you a sturdy liquid-tight cone (if you place the snow in the proper compartment.)

You can even end up with a double-cone cone, although not as sturdy. I recommend that double cones only be eaten outside because of the risk of collapse (see last photo).

Start with a square piece of parchment paper.

Fold up the bottom edge in order to fold the sheet in half with a horizontal crease.

Take the bottom right corner and fold it up to the top center, making a diagonal crease.

Repeat with the bottom left corner taking it up to the top center, making a diagonal crease.

Take the right-most tip and fold it horizontally over to align with the left-most tip, making a vertical crease down the center.

Sketch out an arc on the cone paper. The arc makes the top of the cone horizontal and flat when formed into a cone.

The center of the arc is the bottom tip of the paper. The closer the arc is to the bottom tip of the paper, the smaller and shorter the cone will be. Making the arc as close to the top of the paper as possible gives the largest cone - usually too large, so locate the arc a little bit down from the top edge.

Cut the paper following the sketched arc.

Looking down into the cone paper can be confusing - you will see 6 pockets, 3 each side. It is important to load your snow in the correct pocket.

You can use the two outermost or two innermost pockets on each side, but for better stability use either of the two pockets in the center. See arrows.

Push your fingers down into either center pocket to fill it out and squeeze the front and back edge toward each other to form a cone.

Load you snow into your cone!

You have a naked snow cone screaming for syrup.... You had better get some quick!

Below are the Syrups that were explored along with some observations about each.

Commercial Beverage Flavoring Syrup (sugar and sugar free).

This tastes great and is similar to commercial snow cone syrup. Both the sugared and sugar free worked well.

Liquid Drink Enhancer (aka Mio).

This is sugar free and very watery. I don't recommend it.

Although it is very easy to adjust the strength of the flavor.

Jell-O Gelatin Dessert

Add Jell-O powder to 1 cup boiling water. Mix well and let the mixture cool to room temperature. You can speed the cooling up by putting the container holding the mixture in the snow. Don't let the mixture get cool or it will gel prematurely.

This tastes great and has a nice consistency.

The mixture will stay liquid for about an hour then it starts to gel and doesn't work well as snow cone syrup.

You can experiment with adding more or less water.

Kool-Aid Unsweetened Drink Mix (powder)

I saw many snow cone syrup 'recipes' on the internet and it appears that a 1 to 1 ratio of water to granulated sugar is about right to use with the packet. I tried 1 cup sugar with 1 cup boiling water and added the powder. The mixture needs to be cool to use. It can be kept in the refrigerator for later use. Similar to commercial snow cone syrup.

Canned Fruit Packing Liquid (Artificially Sweetened Water & 100% Fruit Juice)

The 100% juice was nicer than the artificially sweetened water. Both were acceptable with the 100% juice being nicer.

Although we didn't try it, we think that the syrup from fruit in heavy syrup would be great.

Sugar Free Gelatin Dessert

Worked OK and sugar free too.

Sugar Free Retail Snow Cone Syrup

This worked well and tasted great. Results like vary depending on brand.

We didn't have any sugared snow cone syrup, but from previous experience it works as expected - great.

Maple Syrup

Who knew - Maple Syrup tastes great on snow!

Now, go out and collect some fresh snow, choose a syrup and enjoy winter snow cones!

Enjoy!