Rose Currant Shaved Ice

Summer is when I break out my shaved ice machine, which is kind of cheating because my kids love this thing even though technically it’s literally cold water, so I could’ve made a smoothie too, but snow cone style it is.

I use the syrup I make by blitzing my black currants and rose petals with equal weight sugar, and then straining out the solids after it sits in my fridge for a week. The resulting syrup is always a hit with everyone I give it to–for use in mixed drinks, desserts, or over shaved ice. No real recipe except make sure you have a bucket large enough, and a hand blender to make things easier. I find I like the flavor of black currants fresh better than I like them cooked down for jam.

I grow roses for their petals and hips, so you’ll rarely see them in bloom in my garden before they’re feretted away into my kitchen. I am always smelling varieties at the local nurseries since some are fragrant while others smell like nothing (or just bad.) They’re a lovely ornamental edible and I am a huge fan of rose flavored anything.