How to Make Raspados Syrups

A Raspado is one of the most popular Mexican desserts. They are also called snow cones, shaved ice, or granitas. Raspados are made with shaved ice, fruit syrup, and cream. In this article, I show you how to make Raspados syrups with limited ingredients.

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring water, sugar, and food coloring to a boil. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Reduce heat to low and stir in extract; simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand until cool. It will make approximately 2 cups of syrup.

Raspados are similar to granitas or snow cones, but the ice is shaved finer and more consistently with a hand-crank machine called a Raspador. As a result, the fine flakes resemble snow more than ice crystals; it’s as if someone took an icicle and crushed it with a hammer. 

However, the best Raspados are made with fresh fruit; they’re sweet but not too sweet so that it’s possible to taste the fruit beneath the layer of condensed milk or cream topping the cup.

Raspado syrups are a central part of the experience of eating Raspados. They provide an intense, sweet flavor that complements the treat’s base (snow) and toppings (fruit) to create a wonderful sensory experience.

How to Make Raspados Syrups

Prepare the Raspados syrups. For each type of syrup you plan to make, start by pouring the sugar and water into a saucepan. Then, stir them together over medium heat so that the sugar dissolves. 

When it’s completely dissolved, add 1 tablespoon of the flavoring ingredient for each quart of syrup, such as key lime juice or vanilla extract. You can also use 1 teaspoon of citric acid for each quart instead.

Boil your syrup for about 2 minutes. It’ll be ready when it reaches about 200°F (93°C), so use a candy thermometer to be precise. Alternatively, let it boil until it thickens and becomes translucent.

Remove the pan from heat and let your syrup cool down before using it on your shaved ice or Raspados. If you don’t have time, pour the hot syrup into a bowl full of ice and stir it until it cools down.

Alternatively, you can make the syrup a day ahead, making the assembly process super simple and saving you time.

Step 1

Heat the water, sugar, nutmeg, and cinnamon stick in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Once it starts boiling, occasionally stir until it thickens a bit. It will take about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Discard the cinnamon stick.

Step 2

Preheat your oven to 350-400º F. Place a piece of aluminum foil on top of a baking sheet (this is to catch any spills).

Step 3

Place the fruit on the foil and sprinkle with lemon juice, chile powder, and salt. Roast for 20 minutes or until slightly soft. Remove from the oven but allow it cool before transferring it to a blender or food processor along with ¼ cup of water to help blend it. Blend for about 30 seconds or until smooth. Add sugar if desired (I added about 2 tablespoons).

Step 4

Divide the shaved ice between four cups or jars (you want them filled about halfway). Top evenly with the syrup, chamoy sauce, and garlic sauce. You can also add some pecans if desired.

How to Make Mango Syrup for Raspados

To make mango syrup for Raspados, you’ll need:

• 3 mangos
• 1 cup of sugar
• 1/4 cup of water

And to make the syrup, follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Peel and slice 3 mangos.

Step 2: Add 1 cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of water to a pot. Bring to a boil.

Step 3: Once boiling, add the sliced mangos to the pot and continue to boil for 10 minutes. Be sure to stir occasionally.

Step 4: Remove from heat and let cool for 24 hours. The mango syrup can be stored in your fridge for up to 3 days.

To use a blender:

1. Combine the mangos, sugar, water, and lime juice in a blender and pulse until smooth. Pour the mixture into a saucepan, add the cinnamon stick and bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce the heat s it can simmer for 15 minutes.

2. Put the pan down from the stovetop, and let rest for 10 minutes. Discard the cinnamon stick and transfer the mango syrup to an airtight container. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. The recipe yields 2 cups of syrup (16 servings).

How to Make Vanilla Raspados Syrup

To make vanilla Raspados syrup, you will need:

• 1/2 cup white sugar
• Water
• One teaspoon of vanilla extract
• Vanilla bean seeds (optional)

Instruction:

1. With a pan on medium heat, combine the water and vanilla

2. Cook the syrup until steam rises from the mixture and small bubbles start to form on the surface of the water

3. Add sugar and stir to dissolve. Heat until small bubbles form around the edges of the pan

4. Remove from heat, then cover and let stand for 20 minutes.

5. Store in airtight containers in a cool place.

How to Make Mexican Vanilla Syrup for Raspados

Making your Mexican vanilla syrup for Raspados is a pretty straightforward process. You just need to let it simmer down and chill before using it.

1. Combine 1 cup of water, 2 cups of sugar, and one split vanilla bean in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

2. Boil the mixture and stir until the sugar dissolves. Then simmer it over low heat for about 15 minutes.

3. Remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool down to room temperature, then add 1/2 cup of water and stir it with the vanilla bean pod inside.

4. Let the syrup chill in your refrigerator for at least 2 hours, preferably 4-6 hours, before using it on your Raspados.

How to Make Snow Cone Syrup with Fruit

Making snow cone syrup with fruit is perfect for a hot, sunny day. You can customize the flavors to your taste. If you want to make your syrup with fresh fruit, you can make it in advance and keep it in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Meanwhile, you can use store-bought juice instead. 

What You Need:

• 1 cup (200 grams) sugar
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) water
• ½ cup (100 grams) chopped fresh fruit or ¾ cup (180 milliliters) juice

1. In a saucepan, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, occasionally stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool completely.

2. Muddle fresh fruit with a potato masher in a bowl or measuring cup until thoroughly crushed. Pour through a fine-mesh strainer into a bowl or jar, pressing to release as much liquid as possible without pushing the solids through the strainer. Discard solids. 

Combine strained liquid with cooled syrup, and pour into a container with an airtight lid. Store in refrigerator for up to 2 weeks 

How to Make Snow Cone Syrup with Soda

The syrup isn’t just for flavoring when it comes to snow cones — it helps make the ice and toppings stick to the cone. Unfortunately, the commercial syrup is expensive, but making your own is a simple and inexpensive alternative. There are two basic types of syrups: water-based and oil-based.

Water-Based Syrup Recipe

Use this easy recipe to make a water-based syrup for your snow cones.

What You’ll Need:

• Large saucepan or pot
• Wooden spoon
• Knife or cutting board (if using fresh fruit)
• Ingredients:
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup sugar or honey
• Flavoring of choice 

Method:

Add 1 cup of water to a large saucepan or pot and stir in 1 cup of sugar or honey. Add your desired flavoring, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Allow the syrup to cool before serving, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Oil Based Syrup with Soda

Ingredients:

• A 32-ounce bottle of soda or lemon-lime beverage (Coke, Sprite, 7-Up)
• 1/4 cup oil
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar

Directions:

Make syrup according to the recipe above. After bringing to a boil and removing from heat, add 1/4 cup oil-based flavoring. Stir well. Pour into serving containers and refrigerate overnight before serving.

How to Make Snow Cone Syrup with Jello

Snow cones are a delicious, refreshing treat—and the best part is, you can make them at home! Here’s what you’ll need to whip up a batch of your very own snow cone syrup.

Materials:

• 8 cups of water
• 4 cups of sugar
• 2 packages of Jello in any flavor you like
• A large stockpot
• A funnel and some measuring cups and spoons
• Instructions:

1. Pour the water into the pot and bring it to a boil on the stove. When it’s boiling, add the packets of Jello to the pot and stir until they dissolve.

2. After about 5 minutes of stirring, add the sugar and continue stirring until it dissolves completely. (You may need to set up your fan if your kitchen gets a little smoky!)

3. Let the mixture cool down a bit before pouring it into some jars or bottles with lids or caps that fit tightly. Screw on the lids and put them in the refrigerator so they can chill overnight. In the morning, your homemade syrup is ready to use.

How to Make Snow Cones with a Machine

Making snow cones with a machine doesn’t have to be difficult, but keep in mind some important things, like using the right ice and packing it down. Follow these steps to make the best snow cones in town:

1. Get your supplies ready. You’ll need some flavored syrup, a spoon for drizzling, a clean towel for drying, a wide-mouthed funnel for getting the ice into the hopper without spilling it everywhere, and several snow cone cups for serving.

2. Fill the hopper of your commercial snow cone machine with tightly packed ice cubes from your ice machine (or buy a bag of crushed ice from the store).

3. Let it warm up while preparing your syrups on the machine. Then, pour your favorite flavor into a pitcher that’s easy to pour from and has a wide mouth so you don’t spill any syrup when scooping it into your snow cone cups.

4. Once the ice is fluffy and white, scoop it into your snow cone cups with an ice scoop or small spoon.

5. Drizzle flavored syrups over each cup of fluffy shaved ice until it reaches 1 inch below the rim of each cup.

6. Serve immediately.

Important Tips:

Do not use a machine that has been previously used as an ice cream maker. (Some devices can be converted to make snow cones, but make sure you’re comfortable with how it works)

Make sure you have enough ice on hand! Snowcone ice is much smaller than regular ice, so you may need more. You can also use the shaved ice from another machine if you want.

How to Make Snow Cones Without a Machine

Are you craving a sweet, icy treat, but you don’t happen to have a snow cone machine lying around? Here are a few quick and easy ways to make delicious snow cones without a machine:

1. Make homemade ice cream. It’s easy to make your ice cream at home—just combine milk, sugar, and vanilla in a bowl and freeze the mixture. Once it’s frozen, scoop out some of the mixtures into a cup or bowl, and enjoy!

2. Freeze fruit juice in an ice cube tray. When the juice is frozen, take the cubes out of the tray and crush them with a fork or blender until they’re fluffy and full of refreshing flavor. You can also add strawberries or raspberries for a nutritious twist on this classic snack.

3. Add fruit juice to crushed ice for an instant slushy effect, perfect for summer days! Just pour your favorite beverage over the crushed ice in a tall glass or cup, stir well, and sip away. Also, try adding other ingredients like fresh mint leaves or lemon slices as well—but remember: don’t add too much liquid because then it’ll melt faster than if you just poured juice.

How to Make Snow Cones with a Blender

Making snow cones with a blender is easy. Follow these instructions to make it happen.

1. Buy a bag of ice from the store.

2. Add some ice cubes. The amount will depend on how many servings you’re making, but fill it up halfway with ice cubes if you’re using an average-size blender. Add more if you have a bigger blender and less if you have a smaller one.

3. Sprinkle in some sugar, Depending on your taste (and the size of your blender), but we think 1/4 cup is ideal for most people.

4. Add some water to the blender, but not too much, or it will be a slushie instead of a snow cone.

54. Blend until you have shaved ice that resembles snow.

6. Pour the snow into a bowl or cup and add flavoring on top of it, such as lemonade, chocolate syrup, or fruit juice, so it’s like a snow cone.

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Conclusion

Raspados syrup is straightforward to make and well worth it if you follow this page guide on how to make Raspados syrup. It’s cheaper than buying the juice from the store, lasts longer in the fridge, and you can use whichever fruit you happen to have around. 

Drinks prepared this way are great to cool down, but they can also be a great place to start if you are new to making drinks at home. Take your time, and experiment with different ingredients and flavors.