Sno Kone Time!

Last summer it was all about the cocktail/slushies. This year, it’s the sno kone’s time to shine. Using crunchy mounds of shaved ice as a blank canvas, bartenders are pouring spirits into paper cups for a fun new alternative to summertime imbibing. Here’s where to get your fix.

Chicago’s preeminent distillery/bar double-threat continues to innovate with the addition of sno kones to its seasonal gamut. CH Distillery is revered for its house-distilled and bottled vodka, gin, bourbon, Amaro, and other spirits, not to mention their laudable lineup of artisanal cocktails both classic and contemporary. Now CH has added limoncello sno kones to their summertime limoncello sno kones. Creamy housemade lemon liqueur is poured over shaved ice, making for a grown-up version of that classic warm-weather lemonade stand treat.

Some of the most progressive sno kones can be found at Mott St, where kitchen innovations pour outside with a new shaved ice machine. Said machine is responsible for a cooling new batch of quirky cocktails, like a novel Gin & Juice made with gin, jamaica syrup, mint, wood sorrel, and carrot tops; and a whimsical interpretation of “ants on a log” made with Lambrusco, celery syrup, and basil seeds.

If there’s one way to up the ante at Americana nostalgia-steeped Punch House, it’s by pouring punch over a sno kone. The subterranean Pilsen bar is doing just that with their crisp new menu addition this summer, wherein guests can order any of the cocktails served over shaved ice in branded paper cups. Go for the bracing American Orange Punch with rye whiskey, orange, baking spices, Curacao, lemon, and porter; the creamy Milk Punch, 1711 with brandy, lemon, whey, and nutmeg; or the Summer Melon with cane spirits, mezcal, watermelon, coriander, and cilantro.

CH Distillery
564 W. Randolph Street, Chicago
(312) 707-8780
Website

Mott St
1401 N. Ashland Avenue, Chicago
(773) 687-9977
Website

Punch House
1227 W. 18th Street, Chicago
(312) 526-3851
Website