Our Lady of the Snows-Cones
Santa Maria Maggiore is a Papal major basilica in Rome, Italy. It’s also known as Our Lady of the Snows, after the story of its founding. A husband and wife who were without heirs made a vow to donate their fortune to the Virgin Mary. They had a vision in which Mary told them to build a church on the site upon which they would find snow the next morning—in August—at the height of the sweltering Roman summer. In obedience, they left their home the next morning to look and found that snow had fallen during the night on the summit of the Esquiline Hill. The couple built a basilica in Mary’s honor on the very spot which was covered with snow. To remember the miracle, on this feast day, white rose petals are dropped from the dome during the celebration of the Mass . . . and snow-cones are enjoyed at our house.
Ingredients
Natural Vanilla Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup sugar
Natural Cherry Syrup
- 1 cup natural cherry juice
- 1 cup sugar
Cola Syrup
- 1 cup cola
- 1 cup sugar
Instructions
Natural Vanilla Syrup
- Combine water and sugar in a saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and transfer to a jar or squeeze bottle. Add vanilla extract and shake to combine.
Natural Cherry Syrup
- Combine juice and sugar in a saucepan. Whisk over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and transfer to a jar or squeeze bottle.
Cola Syrup
- Combine juice and sugar in a saucepan. (The soda will bubble up when you add the sugar.) Whisk over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and transfer to a jar or squeeze bottle.
The Snow
- Use an ice shaver, or pulse about 3 cups of ice at a time in a blender until powdery. Repeat until you have enough snow for your cones. Add about 4 Tablespoons syrup to each cone, or to taste.
Notes
Other juices, sodas, or extracts can be substituted.