These snow cones aren’t for kids.
Carroll Gardens’ famed Marco Polo Ristorante is now serving up classic snow cones with a boozy Italian twist.
The fine dining Court Street establishment famous for its authentic Italian fare started offering the house-made alcohol-infused frozen treats last week after owner and chef Marco Chirico thought up the idea for a cocktail in a snow cone in a moment of whimsy.
“I was walking by a snow cone stand and joking around saying that it would be nice to have a snow cone with liquor in it,” recalled Chirico, who recently took over the 30-year-old eatery from his father legendary restaurateur Joe Chirico.
Chirico brought in a mixologist to help him come up with the flavors for his new line of frosted treats dubbed “Amaro Snow Cones” that are blended with authentic Italian liqueurs and mixed with fresh fruits and herbs.
Flavors for the spiked freshly shaved ice that is packed into a traditional paper cone cup include Campari Strega, made with the two liqueurs and mixed with fresh squeezed lemon juice, syrup, and orange bitters; Bourbon Tea, made with bourbon, basil, lemon juice, honey, and unsweetened iced tea; Aperol Lemon, mixed with Aperol and lemon juice; Amaretto Maraschino, made with Amaretto, maraschino liqueur and heavy cream; and Zucca Liquor made with straight Zucca poured over the shaved ice.
“When you put the flavors in it, it stays super cold and the ice doesn’t melt right away,” said Chirico, who makes snow cones with four-and-a-half ounces of alcohol. “You get to enjoy the actual flavors of the liquor.”
Chirico said he will be serving the all-natural snow cones priced at $5 daily from 4 pm to 7 pm through October from a cart outside the restaurant near Union Street.
Alcohol-infused snow cones at Marco Polo Ristorante [345 Court St. at Union Street in Carroll Gardens, (718) 852–5015]. Alcoholic snow cones served daily from 4 pm to 7 pm through Oct., $5.
