More Snow Cone Syrups

Happy 4th of July! Or as my son-in-law says, "Happy 'Mer'ca Day." Here are two more snow cone syrups I have been using with my new ice shaver. These are also great as Italian sodas but you may want to have those on Italian Day--just saying.

Mandarin Vanilla Bean Syrup
2 cups sugar
1/2 vanilla bean
3 mandarin oranges
1 cup water
3 tablespoons white corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
Place sugar in a medium sauce pan. Split vanilla bean in half length wise and scrape the seeds into the sugar. Drop the pod in as well. Slice the oranges into 1/4 inch thick slices and add to sugar. Stir in water, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring often. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to come to room temperature. Remove vanilla pod and oranges slices. Place in a covered container and store in the fridge. 

Lemon Blueberry Syrup
2 cups sugar
2/3 cup blueberries
1 large lemon
3/4 cup water
3 tablespoons white corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon salt
Place sugar in a medium size sauce pan. Add blueberries to pan. Slice lemon about 1/4 inch thick and add to pan, removing seeds if possible. Stir in water, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring often and mashing berries. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature and then pass through a fine mesh strainer, pushing berries through with the back of a spoon. Discard lemon and berry pulp. Place syrup in a covered container and store in the fridge.

Hints: I used fresh blueberries but frozen would probably turn out the same. Simple syrups are just water and sugar boiled with flavoring agents. The corn syrup to help prevent crystalization. Choose any flavor or flavor combo you can think of. I am going to try Kiwi soon and something with lavender. I have also been thinking about mint with peach or pear.

I'll let you know if I get a great flavor when experimenting and you do the same for me. Enjoy the fireworks today!