Making a Real Food Snow Cone honestly couldn’t be any easier. Think about it – a snow cone is basically just ice (that’s definitely real) topped off with highly processed syrup (that’s definitely not real).
Typical list of ingredients in Snow Cone Syrup: Water, high fructose corn syrup, citric acid, artificial flavor, propylene glycol, sodium benzoate (preservative), sodium saccharin, xanthan gum, FD&C blue #1.
There’s just no need for all these unwanted additives and chemicals when you can simply pour an organic juice concentrate mixture or homemade berry sauce over all that shaved ice instead!
You could use an ice cream scooper to make a nice round top on these snow cones, but this is how they come out of the machine. My daughters didn’t seem to mind at all. :)
Now you could make the “shaved” ice in your blender (I’ve tried it before and while it’s more like crushed ice it definitely works), but I’ve actually become fond of the inexpensive little snow cone machines that are available these days.
I host a little backyard end-of-school-year party for our neighbors every year, and I always whip out my little snow cone machine for the kids. It only makes 2 at a time so they all line up and patiently wait for their turn. In the end it’s a fun little activity – and treat! – that they always enjoy.
I’ve tried a couple different machines and this is the one I currently like and use. So don’t delay… collect your supplies so you can get started!
Real Food Snow Cones
Ingredients
- ice
- 2 oz frozen fruit juice concentrate any flavor (or use homemade berry sauce – link to recipe is in notes)
Instructions
- Make the "syrups" by mixing together 2 parts fruit juice concentrate with 1 part water. The berry sauce is ready to go as is and can be thinned out a little with water if desired.
- Shave the ice in your blender or snow cone machine. Arrange the shaved ice in the snow cone cups. Use an ice cream scooper to achieve a nice rounded top (if desired). Pour the juices/sauces over top, insert a straw and enjoy!
Notes
- Special equipment needed: blender or snowcone machine, plus cups and straws
- Check out the recipe for berry sauce here – Homemade Berry Sauce
- We recommend organic ingredients when feasible.
If you have a ninja chopper you can freeze chunks of fruit like blood orange and cherry and then just run them through the ninja frozen for fruit ice that looks like colored son and is 100 percent fruit. I found this out when I was too impatient to wait for the blood orange to thaw to add to a chicken marinade so I ran it in my ninja. I hate to take out more orange from the freezer because I ate it. Also, I really hate endorsing products but I tried this with another blender I borrowed that was montel and it was not as powerful as my 29 dollar ninja.
Yum! My family also uses fruit concentrate, and we also use condensed milk drizzled on top! For something more summer fair festive, I buy premade syrups from http://www.realhawaiianice.com — their tiger’s blood flavor is my favorite! I also love toppings like mochi and sweet red bean, which are popular in Asia :D
If you have an ice shaver (I bought one through pampered chef), You can also dilute the juice and freeze in cups and put that through shaver.
We’ve used instant flavored coffees before and frozen them and put them through the ice shaver…YUM!!
What exactly is frozen fruit juice concentrate? I mean, how is it sold in the grocery stores? The only thing I can think of is the frozen juice that comes in a can in the freezer section that you dilute with water to make juice. Is that it?
Hello Stacy. Yes, that’s it or you can find some concentrates in boxes in the juice section of your grocery store.
Fruit juice concentrate is not that healthier. It’s packed with added sugar.
Where did you find the plastic snow cone cups pictured? Thanks, Helen
Hi there. You can click on the words above to take you to the product links or click here: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/my-kitchen-essentials/?sShop=snow+cone&allshopcats=all. I do not think Lisa has a link for the silicone cups, however. I would just Google them or look on Amazon. :)
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snow cone machine
COOL! I love the flavor
It looks to be 106 grams of sugar. Which is over 1 CUP of sugar per 10 OZ. YIKES! I’m still searching for a substitute. Maybe Trop 50? My quest continues.
Thank you!
Hello Amy~can you tell me how many grams of sugar this recipe would contain? I know with some “natural fruit juices” they can vary but, I’ve not found any under 28 grams of sugar. Which is equal to a can of soda pop.
Hi Sara. It would depend on the amount of concentrate you use. Here is an example of a nutrition break down of an orange juice concentrate: http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fruits-and-fruit-juices/1974/2. Hope that helps. ~Amy
Just what we needed this summer! We have really cleaned our diet and menu and are a VERY clean eating family. Our children do very well for the most part, but summer snow cones are a must and I don’t want to neglect them!
Fruit juice concentrate also contains sugar and high fructose corn syrup!!
Hi Misty. You can find fruit concentrates that are 100% juice and have no added sugars. ~Amy
If you have a good blender, you can also freeze watermelon chunks and crush those. There are so many ways to enjoy snow cones without the weird ingredients.
I use organic fruit nectars–the 32 oz bottle takes about 1/2 c. of sugar–heat till sugar dissolves, re-bottle, and cool thoroughly. So far this summer we’ve managed sour cherry, peach, and blueberry. YUMMY!
You just talked me into buying a sno-cone machine!!!
i was so excited about trying this recipe that i ended up finding the 4 pack of jelly belly cones with the straws at target for about half the price they were on amazon
I’ve been looking for a recipe for homemade popsicles..The ones I’ve found online have tons of sugar in them. Do you have any suggestions?
Hello Mariah. This should help: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/2010/06/07/cool-summer-treat-makeover/. ~Amy
1. How long will it keep in the fridge?
2. Can I freeze it?
2. How do I make fruit juice concentrate or do I buy it??
Hi Stacy. You can buy concentrated fruit juice in the freezer section. Are you asking how long it will keep? ~Amy
Wow I would have never thought of making snow cones at home. I love frozen treats to help keep the kids happy (and so I don’t lose my sanity!). Here’s a raspberry banana sorbet that we make on a weekly basis to beat the heat: http://naturalchow.com/2014/05/vegan-raspberry-banana-sorbet/
where can we get those neat sno cone holders? they look like reusuable ones.
Here’s one on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Snow-Cone-Cups–SIT10833/dp/B004CGAVSO/ref=sr_1_1?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1401554445&sr=1-1&keywords=snow+cone+cups
Also: http://www.amazon.com/Jelly-Belly-Silicone-Swirl-Straws/dp/B008Z348JI/ref=sr_1_8?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1401554581&sr=1-8&keywords=snow+cone+cups
Kerry,
I actually was walking through Target today and found some on an end cap for $3.50. Might want to check it out.
Try these: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008Z348JI/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1431718555&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SY200_QL40&keywords=silicone+sno+cone+cups&dpPl=1&dpID=41U8f6cgA4L&ref=plSrch
They are cheaper and are eligible for Amazon prime.
I love this healthy alternative, Lisa. My boys LOVE snow cones, so they will really like these. Thanks!
My kids love snow cones. I like to freeze organic fruit juice in ice cube trays and just pop those in the blender for an instant snow cone. So easy!
That’s a great idea Allison! I’ll have to try that :)
Great idea! I have a ninja I’m going to try that with the honest kids lemonade!!!!
Now if only there was a healthy version of the condensed milk I like to pour on top!
How do you make or where do you buy a healthy frozen fruit juice concentrate?
They have organic frozen fruit juice concentrate at our health food store.
I will have to try this at work! I have been munching on plain ice chips from the machine at the hospital (to combat morning sickness), but adding fruit juice to make it a sno-cone would be delicious!
Yes, this version is good enough for grown ups! And congrats – if by morning sickness you mean you are pregnant! :)
Would a Margaritaville machine work for this?
I’ve never used one of those…sounds like a fun experiment to me! :)