A snow cone is a frozen treat of finely shaved or crushed ice packed into a cup or paper cone and doused with sweet flavored syrup - cherry, grape, and blue raspberry are typical flavors. It differs from a slushie or Italian ice in texture: the ice is shaved into loose, fluffy flakes rather than blended into a uniform slush, so a snow cone stays airy and the syrup pools rather than fully mixing in.
It is a fairground and summer-carnival staple, made with a manual or motorized ice shaver rather than a blender or freezer. Regional versions add richer toppings: Hawaiian shave ice is often layered with sweetened condensed milk and sometimes ice cream, and Mexican raspados add condensed milk and fresh fruit.
Beyond bottled syrup, some modern versions use fresh fruit puree or juice for a less artificial flavor.