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.
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 —The Editors
Serves 1
- 1/2 cup stemmed and pitted fresh sweet cherries
- 1 - 2 tablespoons 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 tablespoons 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
More Great Recipes:
Fruit|Desserts|Ice Cream & Frozen Desserts|Cherries
over 4 years 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.
over 4 years ago mrslarkin
Glad you liked this, M&H!
over 5 years ago fiveandspice
Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.
Mmm, perfect for a day at the fair!
over 5 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.
over 5 years ago creamtea
Lisanne is a trusted home cook.
o.k. I finally made this today, virginized. Yum. If kids & husband don't get home soon, it's not my fault.
over 5 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.
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Yay! I'm so happy you and hubby enjoyed this, gingerroot! You're welcome!
over 5 years ago Jennifer Ann
MrsLarkin, This is so wonderful! I have been enjoying it for dessert all week.
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
oh, that is so nice to hear, Jennifer Ann!! Thanks so much for letting me know.
over 5 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.
over 5 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!
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thank you GFL! That sounds awesome. I'm thrilled you enjoyed it. (Curious, where do you get wild lime leaves??)
over 5 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!
over 5 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.
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thank you so much, CIV! Hope you enjoy this one!
over 5 years ago mcs3000
Have loved cherry snow cones since I was little. Can't wait to make this - so awesome. Hope you win!
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thanks mcs3000!!!
over 5 years ago Sagegreen
Congrats on being a finalist. Didn't realize this was an adult snow cone until just now! Nicely composed.
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thanks Sagegreen. Easily adaptable for kids - just leave out the booze. Or muddle with some anise hyssop leaves - similar flavor profile to the Pernod.
over 5 years ago toekneeray
Eating/drinking this RIGHT NOW. It's amazing. Gets my vote :)
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thank you tkb!
over 5 years ago toekneeray
Having this RIGHT NOW! It's amazing! Gets my vote :)
over 5 years ago Oui, Chef
I am ALL OVER this one!
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thanks, Chef!
over 5 years ago WinnieAb
This looks fantastic!!!!
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Oh, thanks very much Winnie!
over 5 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
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thanks KB. Yes, this one certainly is easily adaptable!
over 5 years ago Panfusine
Congratulations Mrs larkin... can't wait to try this!
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thanks so much, Panfusine! Hope you like it.
over 5 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!
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Yay! and thank you singing_baker.
over 5 years ago lorigoldsby
Congrats! Can't believe I missed this earlier!
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thanks so much lorigoldsby!!
over 5 years ago fiveandspice
Emily is a trusted source on Scandinavian Cuisine.
YUM! Holy hot weather awesomeness!
over 5 years ago mrslarkin
Thank you 5&S! I just went to get more cherries at the store. :-)