Shaved ice doesn't seem to be quite as popular as it once was, perhaps due to the huge surge in popularity that ice cream enjoyed when the concept of mix-ins became popular. After all, you can't really mix smashed up candy bars into a bunch of ice and get the same effect. Shaved ice is still a great summer treat, though. A pile of ice doused with flavored syrup is tasty, cooling and (in what seems to be a huge selling point for kids) will often turn your tongue different colors. This electric ice cream shaver allows you to make shaved ice at home, quickly grating ice cubes into fluffy ice shavings waiting for flavorings.

The biggest drawback to making this treat at home is that it can be hard to find syrups. Torani syrups can be used to make great snow cones and come in over 50 flavors. Get watermelon and root beer for the kids and something more grown up, like creme de cacao or amaretto, for yourself. You can also try making shaved ice without syrups using a fresh berry topping or a vodka-spiked flavoring.

Snow is beautiful when freshly fallen, gently blanketing everything it touches in shimmering whiteness. For some, fresh snow means skiing, snowboarding and sledding, while others simply enjoy making snow angels or building snowmen. To others, there is nothing more satisfying than an enthusiastic snowball fight, followed by a mug of hot chocolate. Except one thing: snow cones.

Instead of freezing water and shaving it down into the white fluff, take advantage of fresh, new-fallen snow if you have the opportunity. Simply pack a glass tightly with clean snow, mounding it up over the rim, then top with any flavor syrup you like. You can purchase syrups at stores like Target or make your own, in addition to using natural flavorings, such as maple syrup. Try adding shaved coconut to the snow for an extra layer of flavor and a bit of texture.