One of our favorite treats when we are camping is to make sno-cones for the girls. It saves on trips to the Snack Shack for ice cream and on our wallet. We ended up buying a dual sno-cone machine by Back to Basics (similar to Back to Basics SIT10823 Ice Treats Electric Ice Shaver) and stocked up on Back to Basics Snow Cone Cups and Straws, 25 count (they are only $3.45 right now!) and at the end of August started checking the clearance sections of Target and Kmart and got my favorite flavor syrup, Root Beer (similar to Hawaiian Shaved Ice – Snow Cone Syrups – 10 Flavor Pack). Most syrups do have sugar free versions available so when I can I pick up those on clearance for less then $2 at Target. But you don’t have to use the syrup for sno-cones at all. You can use things like orange juice sprinkled on top or watered down juice or Crystal Light drinks to give the ice the flavor but not all the sugar. You can also use the recipe below to make your own syrup from scratch! And as you can see…my girls love their special treat and for 15 minutes it’s completely silent!

Homemade Snow Cone Syrup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 package unsweetened powdered drink mix, any flavor

Directions:
Place the sugar and water in a medium pan and bring to a full boil. Remove from heat and stir in the unsweetened powdered drink mix. Cool to room temperature, then place in the refrigerator until chilled. Pour over crushed iced.

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Tagged as: amazon, frugal ideas, recipes

This post was written by Mackenzie

Mackenzie is the mother of two beautiful little girls and the wife to a wonderful man who is a Navy Reservist living in New Hampshire. She enjoys bargain hunting, photography, and of course COFFEE! Above all, she enjoys family life and soaking up every moment. She shares her tips on parenting, saving money, green-living and more on her blog The Centsible Family.