When it comes to frozen treats that start with the letter S, there are a few delicious options to choose from. In this article, we’ll explore some of the most popular frozen S treats and learn a bit more about their history and popularity.
Sorbet
One of the most well-known frozen treats starting with S is sorbet. Sorbet is a frozen dessert made from sweetened water and flavoring agents like fruit puree or juice, wine, and liquor. Unlike ice cream, sorbet contains no dairy. The origins of sorbet can be traced back to ancient China where fruit juices and snow were combined to create refreshing icy treats. From China, the delicacy spread westward to the Middle East and Europe. In the 17th century, sorbet grew in popularity in France after being introduced from Italy. Famous French chef Marie-Antoine Carême refined sorbet recipes and helped popularize the dessert. Today, popular sorbet flavors include raspberry, lemon, mango, and strawberry. Sorbets offer a rich, sweet flavor in a lighter, dairy-free frozen form. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with other desserts.
Snow Cone
Snow cones are a beloved warm weather treat consisting of shaved ice topped with flavored syrup. The origins of snow cones can be traced back over a century to the late 1800s. Street vendors in New Orleans began shaving ice blocks and pouring flavored syrup on top to create refreshing cold snacks. The treats were originally referred to as “shave ice.” Over time, the term snow cone emerged as the shaved ice began to resemble light, fluffy snow. Snow cones became especially popular at circuses, carnivals, and fairs. Vendors would haul large blocks of ice to shape flakes and top them with vibrant syrups like cherry, grape, and lemon-lime. The popularity of snow cones exploded across America in the 1920s thanks to technological innovations that allowed ice shavers and syrups to be mass produced. Today, snow cones are a mainstay summertime treat for kids and adults alike. Their versatility and nostalgic charm continue making them a popular frozen dessert choice.
Soft Serve Ice Cream
Soft serve ice cream is a uniquely smooth and creamy frozen dairy dessert. Unlike regular hard-packed ice cream, soft serve contains less milk fat, is extruded at a warmer temperature, and incorporates more air which results in its characteristically soft texture. The origins of soft serve ice cream date back to the 1930s when an ice cream salesman named Tom Carvel formulated the unique product by accident. Carvel’s ice cream freezer broke down one day and the warmer, fluffier ice cream that resulted quickly became a huge hit. He patented his soft serve recipe and opened the first soft ice cream shop in Hartsdale, New York in 1934. The unique texture and flavors of soft serve made it a sensation nationwide throughout the 1940s and 50s. Major chains like Dairy Queen and McDonald’s popularized soft serve further with nationwide locations. Today, soft serve is available in varieties like vanilla, chocolate, and twist, along with sundaes, cones, and floats. Its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth consistency continues making it a much loved frozen treat.
Sorbet
One of the most well-known frozen treats starting with S is sorbet. Sorbet is a frozen dessert made from sweetened water and flavoring agents like fruit puree or juice, wine, and liquor. Unlike ice cream, sorbet contains no dairy. The origins of sorbet can be traced back to ancient China where fruit juices and snow were combined to create refreshing icy treats. From China, the delicacy spread westward to the Middle East and Europe. In the 17th century, sorbet grew in popularity in France after being introduced from Italy. Famous French chef Marie-Antoine Carême refined sorbet recipes and helped popularize the dessert. Today, popular sorbet flavors include raspberry, lemon, mango, and strawberry. Sorbets offer a rich, sweet flavor in a lighter, dairy-free frozen form. They can be enjoyed on their own or paired with other desserts.
Nutrition Facts of Sorbet
One of the healthiest attributes of sorbet is that it’s relatively low in calories and fat compared to other frozen desserts. A 1/2 cup serving of sorbet contains approximately:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 137 |
| Total Fat | 0 g |
| Sodium | 22 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34 g |
| Sugars | 31 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
As you can see, a serving of sorbet is low in fat, sodium, and protein. The main nutritional components come from carbohydrates and sugar. So while sorbet may be lower in calories than ice cream, the carbohydrates and sugars can still add up, especially in larger serving sizes. Overall, sorbet provides a lighter frozen dessert option that can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.
Popular Sorbet Flavors
Sorbet comes in a wide array of fruit and other flavors. Some of the most popular sorbet choices include:
- Raspberry – Made with sweet, tart raspberry puree
- Lemon – Bright, refreshing, and slightly tart
- Mango – Tropical, sweet mango flavor
- Strawberry – Sweet, summery strawberry taste
- Chocolate – Rich chocolate flavor without the dairy
- Piña Colada – A tropical blend of pineapple, coconut, and rum
Specialty flavors like champagne, peach, blood orange, and passionfruit are also gaining popularity at gourmet shops. The possibilities are endless when it comes to sorbet flavors!
Sherbet
Sherbet is a frozen dessert that falls between sorbet and ice cream. Unlike sorbet, sherbet does contain dairy, typically butterfat and milk or cream. However, sherbet has a lower fat and milk solid content than ice cream, giving it a lighter, airier texture. The origins of sherbet can be traced back to the Middle East where Arabs would mix fruit juices or rose water with snow long before refrigeration existed. The term “sherbet” derives from the Arabic word “sharba” meaning “to drink.” Over centuries, sherbet evolved into the creamier, dairy-based dessert we know today. It was especially popular in Europe during Victorian and Edwardian times before modern ice cream took over. Today, you can find a rainbow of sherbet flavors including citrus varieties, berries, and tropical fruit. Fun sherbet factoids? It’s technically the official frozen treat of Delaware and July is National Ice Cream and Sherbet Month.
Nutrition Facts of Sherbet
While sherbet has more calories and fat than sorbet, it still provides a lighter alternative to full-fat ice cream. Here is the nutrition information for a 1/2 cup serving of sherbet:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 154 |
| Total Fat | 2 g |
| Sodium | 73 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 34 g |
| Sugars | 30 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
As you can see, sherbet has slightly higher fat, sodium, and protein compared to sorbet due to its dairy content. But it still ranks lower than ice cream in those areas while providing the sweet, fruity flavor sherbet lovers enjoy with a bit of creaminess. Moderation is key, but sherbet can be part of a balanced frozen treat rotation.
Popular Sherbet Flavors
Classic sherbet flavors include:
- Orange – Sweet, tart, and tangy orange
- Raspberry – Bursting with raspberry flavor
- Lime – Zesty and refreshing lime taste
- Rainbow – Colorful mix of fruit flavors
- Pineapple – Tropical pineapple combined with creaminess
- Lemon – A little tart, a little sweet lemon
Gourmet sherbet options are also becoming more common, featuring flavors like blackberry cabernet, peach tea, and cranberry apple.
Snow Cone
Snow cones are a beloved warm weather treat consisting of shaved ice topped with flavored syrup. The origins of snow cones can be traced back over a century to the late 1800s. Street vendors in New Orleans began shaving ice blocks and pouring flavored syrup on top to create refreshing cold snacks. The treats were originally referred to as “shave ice.” Over time, the term snow cone emerged as the shaved ice began to resemble light, fluffy snow. Snow cones became especially popular at circuses, carnivals, and fairs. Vendors would haul large blocks of ice to shape flakes and top them with vibrant syrups like cherry, grape, and lemon-lime. The popularity of snow cones exploded across America in the 1920s thanks to technological innovations that allowed ice shavers and syrups to be mass produced. Today, snow cones are a mainstay summertime treat for kids and adults alike. Their versatility and nostalgic charm continue making them a popular frozen dessert choice.
Snow Cone Flavor Combinations
Two of the most iconic snow cone flavor combos include:
- Tiger’s Blood – A mix of strawberry, watermelon, and coconut syrups
- Blue Raspberry – Combination of raspberry, blueberry, and lemon syrups
But snow cone concepts are only limited by your imagination. Some other fun flavor ideas include:
| Flavor 1 | Flavor 2 | Flavor 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Cherry | Lime | Blue Raspberry |
| Pineapple | Coconut | Mango |
| Watermelon | Grape | Strawberry |
The flavor combinations are endless for the creative snow cone connoisseur!
Top Snow Cone Cities
Some of the top cities famous for their snow cone culture include:
- New Orleans, Louisiana – The birthplace of the snow cone, often still referred to as shave ice here.
- Austin, Texas – Home to famous snow cone shops like Bahama Buck’s and Doc’s.
- Chicago, Illinois – A hot spot for snoballs, the Midwest take on snow cones.
- New York, New York – Snow cone vendors are a fixture of NYC’s vibrant street food scene.
- Houston, Texas – This Texas town obsesses over specialty snow cone trailers and shops.
From established chains to mom and pop stands, these cities all have dynamic snow cone cultures bringing joy to generations of kids and adults.
Soft Serve Ice Cream
Soft serve ice cream is a uniquely smooth and creamy frozen dairy dessert. Unlike regular hard-packed ice cream, soft serve contains less milk fat, is extruded at a warmer temperature, and incorporates more air which results in its characteristically soft texture. The origins of soft serve ice cream date back to the 1930s when an ice cream salesman named Tom Carvel formulated the unique product by accident. Carvel’s ice cream freezer broke down one day and the warmer, fluffier ice cream that resulted quickly became a huge hit. He patented his soft serve recipe and opened the first soft ice cream shop in Hartsdale, New York in 1934. The unique texture and flavors of soft serve made it a sensation nationwide throughout the 1940s and 50s. Major chains like Dairy Queen and McDonald’s popularized soft serve further with nationwide locations. Today, soft serve is available in varieties like vanilla, chocolate, and twist, along with sundaes, cones, and floats. Its creamy, melt-in-your-mouth consistency continues making it a much loved frozen treat.
Nutrition Facts of Soft Serve
While soft serve has a lighter, airier texture than hard ice cream, it still packs a decent calorie punch. Here is the nutrition data for a 1/2 cup serving of vanilla soft serve:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 137 |
| Total Fat | 6 g |
| Sodium | 74 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 20 g |
| Sugars | 18 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
As you can see, soft serve is high in calories, fat, and sugar compared to the other frozen S treats. Portion control is key to enjoying it as part of a healthy diet.
Popular Soft Serve Chains
Some of the most iconic soft serve chains include:
- Dairy Queen – The first soft serve chain started in 1940
- McDonald’s – Serving their signature vanilla soft serve since 1955
- Carvel – Popular East Coast chain since 1934
- Rita’s Italian Ice – Offering both soft serve and Italian ice
- Foster Freeze – West Coast drive-in chain since 1946
Along with nationwide fast food places like Burger King and Wendy’s, these chains have cemented soft serve’s reputation as a beloved American classic.
Conclusion
When it comes to delicious frozen treats starting with the letter S, there are clearly lots of tasty choices! Sorbet, sherbet, snow cones, and soft serve each offer unique flavors and textures sure to satisfy any frozen craving. Sorbet provides a light, dairy-free fruit flavor, while sherbet gives a creamier fruit taste. For classic icy refreshment, snow cones reign supreme with their fluffy, syrupy goodness. And you can’t beat soft serve for its quintessential melt-in-your-mouth creaminess. Whatever your preference, the world of frozen S treats has something for everyone. Stay cool and beat the heat with these tasty frozen delights!