Cherry Snow Cone
The ingredients for this homemade snow cone: mint, lemon, Pernod, turbinado sugar, cherries, and cream.
Selecting cherries -- weirdly, nearly all of ours were "twins!"
Love the cherry pitter.
The scene of the crime.
Hard at work.
Turbinado sugar is great for muddling -- its coarse texture really helps to break up the fruit and mint.
Almost a shame to muddle this ...
A splash of Pernod really makes this dish.
Amanda's at the ready in case there's a muddling disaster.
About halfway there.
Meanwhile, it's time to shave some ice. If the ice gets stuck under the blade, just shake the blender a little (with the power off).
Snow in summer.
Bliss in a glass.
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Author Notes: Inspired by a tweet I saw last year from chef Alex @guarnaschelli: “Wanting muddled fresh cherries with some raw sugar over crushed ice with a touch of lemon juice. A bathtub full.” I ran to the kitchen and put this together. - mrslarkin - mrslarkin
Food52 Review: We loved the concept of a grownup snow cone from the very start. Mrslarkin has you muddle fresh cherries with mint, lemon juice and raw sugar (a great abrasive, incidentally) and then hit the fruity sludge with a shot of Pernod before spooning it over crushed ice. The "optional" drizzle of cream is a must. We recommend making a slightly larger batch of shaved ice than you'll need (in case you end up with some bigger chunks) and keeping it in the freezer until just before you're ready to serve. - A&M - A&M
Serves 1
- 1/2 cup stemmed and pitted fresh sweet cherries
- 1 - 2 tablespoon turbinado or other sugar in the raw
- 1 small sprig mint, torn into pieces
- 1 teaspoon fresh squeezed lemon juice or orange juice
- 1/2 - 1 tablespoon Pernod (or Kirschwasser, for the timid)
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream (optional)
- 1 cup ice cubes
- In a mixing cup or mug, muddle the cherries, sugar, mint, lemon juice and booze until you have a nice amount of syrup.
- If you have a snow cone ice shaver machine that Santa brought one year, dig it out of the basement. Or in your blender, finely crush/shave the ice and quickly spoon or scoop into serving bowl, ideally a clear one so you can see all the dripping cherry goodness in about 30 seconds.
- Pour muddled cherry mixture, chunks and all, over ice.
- Add cream, if using.
- Add a straw and a spoon and have at it.
- Your Best Dish in the Raw Contest Finalist!
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Fair Food
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Soda Fountain Recipe
- This recipe was entered in the contest for Your Best Recipe for Cherries
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10 months ago Milk & Honey
Great idea and tasty too! I used white balsamic instead of the Pernod for a little Bush (I think that's what they are called). Nice. Also tried with rhubarb with good results but need to mince the rhubarb finely prior to muddling.
10 months ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Glad you liked this, M&H!
almost 2 years ago fiveandspice
Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.
Mmm, perfect for a day at the fair!
almost 2 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
I love this, it's the best snow cone ever. Made it virgin for the kids we all loved it. An ice shaver is on my list for this Christmas. The zip lock bag, hammer and my well worn blender were ok but need an ice shaver.
almost 2 years ago creamtea
o.k. I finally made this today, virginized. Yum. If kids & husband don't get home soon, it's not my fault.
almost 2 years ago gingerroot
Double swoon!! This is amazing!! After a hectic week/weekend, I finally treated myself (and the Mr.) to a double batch served in old-fashioned glasses. As a life long shave ice lover, this puts my favorite cone to shame. I'm thinking I have to find myself a hand crank machine just so I can make this whenever I want, with soft as snow shave ice. Thank you, mrslarkin, for a brilliant recipe.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Yay! I'm so happy you and hubby enjoyed this, gingerroot! You're welcome!
almost 2 years ago Jennifer Ann
MrsLarkin, This is so wonderful! I have been enjoying it for dessert all week.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
oh, that is so nice to hear, Jennifer Ann!! Thanks so much for letting me know.
almost 2 years ago gluttonforlife
I'm actually referring to kaffir lime (Citrus Hystrix) which has very floral and aromatic leaves, much used in Southeast Asian cooking. They can be found in Indian and Thai markets, sometimes among the packaged herbs at Whole Foods, but I usually get mine fresh at Kalustyan's in New York City.
almost 2 years ago gluttonforlife
Tried this, substituting a bit of sweetened condensed milk and some wild lime leaves, and it was sheer heaven! Love the instant gratification, Mrs. L!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you GFL! That sounds awesome. I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. (Curious, where do you get wild lime leaves??)
almost 2 years ago Panfusine
I'd say my mother in law's garden, but thats way out in chennai, India, she has 2 huge key lime trees, next time around I plan to strip the tree naked & haul it back in bags back to the US!
almost 2 years ago cookinginvictoria
Congrats on being a finalist, mrslarkin! This looks so lovely and refreshing. And I love the idea of adding a splash of Pernod to the snow cone. It is cherry season now in the Pacific Northwest, so I look forward to trying your recipe ASAP.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you so much, CIV! Hope you enjoy this one!
almost 2 years ago mcs3000
Have loved cherry snow cones since I was little. Can't wait to make this - so awesome. Hope you win!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks mcs3000!!!
almost 2 years ago Sagegreen
Congrats on being a finalist. Didn't realize this was an adult snow cone until just now! Nicely composed.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks Sagegreen. Easily adaptable for kids - just leave out the booze. Or muddle with some anise hyssop leaves - similar flavor profile to the Pernod.
almost 2 years ago toekneeray
Eating/drinking this RIGHT NOW. It's amazing. Gets my vote :)
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you tkb!
almost 2 years ago toekneeray
Having this RIGHT NOW! It's amazing! Gets my vote :)
almost 2 years ago Oui, Chef
I am ALL OVER this one!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks, Chef!
almost 2 years ago WinnieAb
This looks fantastic!!!!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Oh, thanks very much Winnie!
almost 2 years ago Kitchen Butterfly
After getting to know Snow cones in Barbados last year, I know for sure I would LOVEEEEEEE this. Not only the flavours but the concept which can be transformed. Perfect for hot weather
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks KB. Yes, this one certainly is easily adaptable!
almost 2 years ago Panfusine
Congratulations Mrs larkin... can't wait to try this!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks so much, Panfusine! Hope you like it.
almost 2 years ago singing_baker
wow this is so different. I love it! I just got some fresh cherries from the farmers market too, how perfect!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Yay! and thank you singing_baker.
almost 2 years ago lorigoldsby
Congrats! Can't believe I missed this earlier!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks so much lorigoldsby!!
almost 2 years ago fiveandspice
Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.
YUM! Holy hot weather awesomeness!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you 5&S! I just went to get more cherries at the store. :-)
almost 2 years ago thirschfeld
never know where you will find inspiration. Great recipe, congrats
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
thank you, thirschfeld.
almost 2 years ago Summer of Eggplant
Beautiful! I love pernod, can't wait to try it.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you, SOE. Wow, a fellow Pernod lover! We are few and far between.
almost 2 years ago nomnivorous
This looks utterly amazing. I canned sweet and tart cherries in balsamic syrup, I may give this snow cone a try in the winter too!
almost 2 years ago nomnivorous
This looks utterly amazing. Bravo!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks very much, nomnivorous!
almost 2 years ago healthierkitchen
What a great idea!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
thank you hk!
almost 2 years ago lapadia
Congratulations and luck to you in the finals, mrslarkin!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
thanks very much lapadia!
almost 2 years ago lapadia
Cheers to the runner-up!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
How sweet! I needed that. Thanks lapadia!
almost 2 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
big congratulations, mrslarkin!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
thank you drbabs!
almost 2 years ago sexyLAMBCHOPx
Fun technique and flavor!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks sexyLAMBCHOPx!
almost 2 years ago gingerroot
Yipee! Congratulations, mrslarkin! Can't wait to make this.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks gingerroot! Hope you like it! (i feel like an honorary Hawaiian today!)
almost 2 years ago MyCommunalTable
How have I missed this... sounds so refreshing and fabulous. Congrats.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
MCT, thank you so much.
almost 2 years ago hardlikearmour
hardlikearmour is a trusted home cook.
Congrats, mrslarkin! This sounds amazing!!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
thank you so much hla!
almost 2 years ago Bevi
This is great! I wish I had a gallon of this right now!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
oh, now your talking my language. Thank you Bevi.
almost 2 years ago nannydeb
Congrats mrslarkin! I missed this the first time around, sounds great!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you nannydeb!
almost 2 years ago Midge
Yes! Way to go mrslarkin!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks, Midge! (sorry no Guinness in this one.)
almost 2 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Congratulations mrslarkin, I just love your snowcone.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you very much sdebrango.
almost 2 years ago ChefJune
I'm making this for dessert tonight. I have all the ingredients on hand except a "good" implement to crush the ice, but there is always the old cleaver and the zip-lock bag trick. This sounds almost too good to be true!
Congrats on being a finalist. This is a keeper.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks ChefJune. Cleaver will work just fine. Rolling pins make good wacking tools, too, á la Julia Child.
almost 2 years ago Lizthechef
Go, Liz - congrats on being a finalist!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you Miss Liz!
almost 2 years ago wssmom
woohoo!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
;) thanks wssmom!! so glad you liked this when you tested it, but now I can't remember your kind words!!
almost 2 years ago wssmom
hmm I will find them and repost here!
almost 2 years ago wssmom
Found 'em!: "mrslarkin's cherry snow cone is dramatic, different, and downright delightful, especially on a hot summer afternoon. Or evening. The anise flavor of Pernod punches up juicy, red, ripe cherries and a mint-accented syrup to dizzyingly delicious heights. I'd totally recommend using a snow-cone machine or some other ice-shaving device; even though our blender has an "ice crush" setting, the results were more like ice lumps (which we wound up putting in a muslin bag and pounding with mallets to produce the desired effect).
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
yay! Thanks for finding it, wssmom!
almost 2 years ago creamtea
We have a "Hawai'ice" hand cranked machine. I'm off to the kitchen get it down & freeze some discs...kids will get this without the Pernod. Or, maybe, with........
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
oh, that sounds like fun!!
almost 2 years ago Midge
Love this!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
thank you, Midge!
almost 2 years ago gingerroot
Swoon! A Scone Queen after my own heart...shave ice is an institution here, you know.
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks, g! I did not know that! I bet Hawai`i shave ice is awesome. What flavors are popular there?
almost 2 years ago dymnyno
I love this!!...I have my own vintage, hand crank shave ice machine that I use .
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
thanks, dymnyno!
almost 2 years ago gingerroot
At the best places, there are as many flavors as one can dream up! Rainbow (red = cherry, yellow = banana, and blue = vanilla) is definitely one every kid here has grown up with, but my favorites include passion fruit and li hing mui (dried preserved plums - a flavor bomb of salty, sour, sweet). Fancy extras include adding ice cream and/or adzuki beans (in the cone, before you put the ice) and condensed milk on top!
@dymnyno - I love that you have your own hand crank shave ice machine!! So cool.
almost 2 years ago Lizthechef
I still want one of these, a year later...Thumbs up, just anticipating!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thank you, Liz!
almost 2 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Oh yea, this sounds really yummy!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Thanks! Can't wait to make this again when the cherries are in!
almost 2 years ago sdebrango
Suzanne is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Would have been perfect today was over 90 degrees. This sounds so refreshing.
almost 2 years ago Panfusine
oohh.. booozy snow cone!! yumm!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
:) yes!
almost 3 years ago Lizthechef
Ooh - I missed this - looks so refreshing. I see you are back into the Pernod...
almost 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Yes, I couldn't stay away from it. Can't drink it straight, but I like it as an accent.
almost 3 years ago dymnyno
gotta try this...I have a vintage shave ice hand crank machine.
almost 3 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
Oh how I love vintage kitchen stuff! Yes, try it! And let me know how it turns out!!
almost 2 years ago MakeThatMakeThis
wow. Sounds awesome!
almost 2 years ago mrslarkin
Mrs. Larkin is a trusted source on Baking.
thanks, MTMT!