What’s in the Frog in a Blender Snow Cone?

Ever ordered a snow cone and heard someone yell “Frog in a Blender”? Sounds crazy, right?

A Frog in a Blender combines green apple and cherry syrups on shaved ice. No actual frog just a sweet-and-sour candy-flavored frozen treat with wild color contrast.

I’ll show you what’s really inside, how to make it at home, and where to find this carnival treat.

The name sounds like something from a fictional horror short or a sensational clickbait tactics campaign, but it’s actually pretty straightforward. When you layer bright green apple syrup with deep red cherry syrup on shaved ice, the visual shock of those two colors mixing together reminded someone of… you guessed it.

It’s a novelty shaved ice name that grabs attention at street food stands and festival booths. The shock value marketing works kids and adults alike can’t resist ordering something with such a memorable name. And trust me, once you try it, the name sticks with you.

In my experience visiting snow cone shops across the USA, this flavor goes by a few other names too:

• Green Apple Cherry Mix
• Apple Cherry Blast
• Sour Apple Cherry Combo
• The Classic “Frog” (shortened version)

Based on my taste testing, a Frog in a Blender hits you with three distinct notes:

Tartness from green apple comes first. Sharp, citrus-like acidity like biting a Granny Smith apple or green Jolly Rancher candies.

Cherry sweetness balances it out. Candy-like flavor with aroma notes of maraschino cherries or gummy frogs.

The combined mouthfeel is magic. You get sour-then-sweet flavor balance that keeps your taste buds engaged without overwhelming them.

Finely shaved ice creates smooth, slushie-like texture. Coarser ice gives you crunch and flavor bursts with each bite.

Flavor Chemistry: Why Green Apple and Cherry Work Together

Green apple flavoring contains malic acid for tartness. Cherry uses benzaldehyde for sweetness and slight almond notes.

When you mix high-acidity with sweet profiles, you create “flavor layering.” Your tongue gets sour notes first, then sweetness balances it like lemon-strawberry or lime-coconut combos.

Here’s my personal discovery: Ice temperature dramatically changes flavor perception. Freshly shaved, super-cold ice makes tartness dominate. After 30-45 seconds of melting, sweetness comes through and flavors blend perfectly. This creates an evolving taste that keeps you wanting more.

Let me break down what typically goes into those colorful bottles of flavored syrup you see at snow cone stands:

Standard Commercial Syrup Contains:

• Simple syrup base (sugar and water, usually 2:1 ratio)
• Artificial flavoring (green apple and cherry extracts)
• Food coloring (artificial dye for that vibrant green and red)
• Citric acid (adds tartness and acts as a preservative)
• Sodium benzoate (common preservative)
• Sometimes sweetener additives like corn syrup

Natural/Organic Versions Include:

• Cane sugar or organic sweetener
• Natural fruit puree (real apple and cherry)
• Natural dye from vegetables (spinach puree for green, beet juice for red)
• Organic citrus juice for acidity
• No artificial preservatives

For a typical paper cone serving (about 8-12 oz), you’re looking at:

• 2-3 oz of green apple syrup
• 2-3 oz of cherry syrup
• 6-8 oz of shaved ice
• Total calories: roughly 150-200 (mostly from sugar)

The ingredients vary by brand. SnoBiz and Hawaiian Shaved Ice LLC both make popular versions with slightly different flavor intensities.

After making this dozens of times for summer parties and testing different ratios, here’s my foolproof homemade recipe:

Homemade Green Apple Syrup (Makes 2 cups)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp malic acid powder (or 2 tbsp fresh lime juice)
• 1 tsp green apple extract
• Green food coloring (5-7 drops) or 2 tbsp spinach puree for natural color

Method:

1. Combine water and sugar in a medium saucepan
2. Heat over medium until sugar dissolves completely (about 3-4 minutes)
3. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes
4. Add malic acid, apple extract, and coloring
5. Stir well and store in a clean bottle
6. Refrigeration keeps it fresh for 2-3 weeks

Homemade Cherry Syrup (Makes 2 cups)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 tsp cherry extract (or 3 tbsp cherry juice concentrate)
• Red food coloring (5-7 drops) or 2 tbsp beet juice
• Pinch of salt (enhances sweetness)

Method:

1. Same process as green apple syrup
2. Combine water and sugar, heat until dissolved
3. Cool slightly, then add cherry extract and coloring
4. Store in separate bottle with proper sanitation
5. Lasts 2-3 weeks refrigerated

Assembly Instructions

Blending Time and Ice Ratio:

1. Use a quality blender or ice shaver on pulse speed
2. Start with 2 cups of ice cubes
3. Blend for 10-15 seconds until snow-like texture
4. Don’t over-blend you want fluffiness, not slushie

Pro tip: If you’re serious about making frozen treats regularly, a Ninja Creami takes the guesswork out. It creates perfect snow cone texture every time with zero ice crushing effort.

Serving Method:

1. Pack shaved ice firmly into cup or paper cone
2. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of green apple syrup over half the ice
3. Pour 2-3 tablespoons of cherry syrup over the other half
4. Let syrups sink in for 10-15 seconds
5. Add garnish like a gummy frog or edible frog decoration for fun presentation
6. Insert straw and serve immediately

Pro tip from my experience: Tilt the cup slightly when pouring syrups to create that distinct color contrast everyone loves. It makes for better visual presentation and photos.

The traditional Frog in a Blender is already vegan and dairy-free since it’s just ice and fruit-flavored syrups. But some carnival stands add cream or condensed milk for a richer mouthfeel.

If you want a creamier version at home:

• Add 2 tablespoons of coconut milk before the syrups
• Use cashew cream as a thickener
• Try oat milk for subtle sweetness

For texture variations, some people add:

• Agar-agar powder (vegan gelatin alternative) for chewiness
• Pectin for slight thickness
• Fresh fruit puree for natural flavor

Based on my travels and research, here’s where this flavor is most popular:

United States (Primary Market)

Texas has the highest concentration of snow cone stands serving this flavor. Look for:

• Bahama Buck’s locations
• Kona Ice food trucks
• Local shaved ice vendors at summer festivals
• County fairs and carnival treat stands

Arkansas is another hotspot the OnlyInArkansas blog even lists it as a must-try regional specialty.

Louisiana, Florida, and Southern states generally have good availability during summer months (June-August peak season).

United Kingdom (Emerging Market)

This flavor is still considered an “American novelty” in the UK. Your best bet:

• Specialty dessert shops in London
• American-themed restaurants
• Order syrups online and make at home

Canada (Seasonal Availability)

Canadian availability is extremely limited due to the short warm season:

• Ontario and BC have some mobile vendors
• Summer street food markets (July-August only)
• Festival food trucks

Can’t find it locally? Most snow cone shops will make custom combinations. Just ask for “green apple and cherry mixed” and they’ll know what you mean.

These are the two most talked-about novelty snow cone flavors, so let me give you an honest comparison based on my tastings:

In my case, I prefer Frog in a Blender on really hot days because that tartness is more refreshing. Tiger’s Blood is great if you want something dessert-like and indulgent.

Both are crowd-pleasers at party snacks and childhood nostalgia events. You can’t go wrong with either, honestly.

If you enjoy Frog in a Blender, these related combinations might hit the spot:

1. Blue Hawaiian – Blue raspberry + coconut (tropical vibes)
2. Fuzzy Navel – Peach + orange (citrus lovers)
3. Cherry Limeade – Cherry + lime (extra tartness)
4. Watermelon Green Apple – Watermelon + green apple (fruity twist)
5. Sour Patch Kid – Lemon + lime + cherry (maximum tartness)

For ASMR snow cone fans, these combinations offer interesting sound textures when you bite into the shaved ice with different syrup viscosities.

Let’s be real snow cones aren’t exactly health food. But here’s what you should know:

Typical Nutrition (8 oz serving):

• Calories: 150-200
• Sugar: 35-45g
• Carbohydrates: 40-50g
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 0g

Allergen Concerns:

• Most syrups are nut-free
• Check for artificial dye sensitivity
• Some brands use gelatin (not vegan)
• Cross-contamination risk if served at multi-food stands

Food Safety Tips:

• Ensure proper sanitation at vendor stands
• Check ice source (should be from clean, filtered water)
• Watch for proper cleanup between servings
• Avoid if ice looks discolored or equipment seems dirty

The biggest health concern is the high sugar content. If you’re watching your intake, ask for “light syrup” or make your own version with sugar-free sweetener alternatives.

I’ve noticed Frog in a Blender has become part of internet culture in interesting ways. On TikTok and Instagram, the hashtag #shavedice often features this flavor because of its eye-catching visual appeal.

Some content creators use it for:

• ASMR videos (the crunching sound of ice)
• Prank videos (the shocking name tricks people)
• Mukbang-style eating content
• Recipe tutorials

Important content warning for parents: Some viral videos mix this innocent dessert name with the actual frog blender urban legend a disturbing shock content concept that has nothing to do with the actual snow cone flavor. Platform policy on YouTube and TikTok usually removes graphic content, but it’s worth monitoring what kids search for.

The real Frog in a Blender is family-friendly and has zero connection to any animal cruelty or unethical content. It’s just a fun name for a tasty treat.

Let me clear this up: There is no actual frog in this snow cone.

The frog blender urban legend is a separate internet hoax that gets confused with this dessert due to the shared name. That viral hoax explanation involves fake frog props and shock content, nothing to do with snow cones.

This is a myth vs reality explainer: The snow cone is named for its appearance, not ingredients. Like “Tiger’s Blood” doesn’t contain tiger blood, just creative naming.

For animal welfare resources: PETA focuses on real animal cruelty issues, not novelty dessert names. Snow cone industry uses only food-safe, edible ingredients with kitchen gadget safety standards.

If you’re making syrups ahead of time or prepping for a party:

Syrup Storage:

• Keep in sealed glass bottles
• Refrigeration extends shelf life to 3-4 weeks
• Freezing works but may affect texture (thawing changes consistency)
• Label with dates for safety

Ice Preparation:

• Make frog-shaped ice cubes for extra novelty presentation
• Store pre-shaved ice in freezer bags (use within 2 hours for best texture)
• Don’t refreeze melted ice bacteria risk

Serving Temperature:

• Serve immediately after assembly
• Ice melts fast (consume within 5-10 minutes)
• Use insulated cups for outdoor events

Want to get creative? Here are some family-friendly prank ideas and twists I’ve tried:

Add candy inclusion:

• Crushed Jolly Ranchers sprinkled on top
• Sour gummy worms as edible decoration
• Pop Rocks for fizzy sensation
• Mini gummy frogs (obvious choice)

Mocktail snow cone recipe:

• Add a splash of lime juice for extra citrus
• Top with mint leaves for aromatics
• Drizzle with matcha powder for green tea flavor
• Mix in spirulina for natural superfood boost

Level up your frozen dessert game: If you want consistent results without the manual work, check out how to use the Ninja Creami Deluxe for perfect texture every time.

For grown-ups:

• Add a shot of vodka or rum (21+ only)
• Try natural sweeteners like agave or honey
• Experiment with fresh fruit instead of syrup

So that said, what’s my honest verdict on Frog in a Blender?

It’s a solid choice if you enjoy candy-like flavors with a good balance between sweet and sour. The tartness makes it more refreshing than purely sweet options, which I appreciate on hot summer days. And the name? Yeah, it’s weird, but it’s memorable and fun especially for kids.

I think the biggest appeal is the nostalgia factor. If you grew up going to county fairs or had a snow cone truck in your neighborhood, this flavor probably brings back memories. That childhood nostalgia is powerful.

For making it at home, the process is surprisingly simple. You don’t need expensive equipment a decent blender and some basic syrup ingredients will get you 90% of the way there. The key is getting that ice texture right and not over-sweetening the syrups.

Would I recommend trying it? Absolutely. Even if you’re not sure about the name, give it a shot. You might discover your new favorite summer treat.

What does Frog in a Blender snow cone taste like?

It tastes like sour green apple mixed with sweet cherry similar to green and red Jolly Ranchers combined. Apple tartness hits first, then cherry sweetness balances it. Most describe it as candy-like and refreshing.

Is there really a frog in Frog in a Blender snow cone?

No, zero frog or animal products. The name comes from the visual look of layered green and red syrups. Just a creative, attention-grabbing name for fruit-flavored dessert.

Where can I buy Frog in a Blender flavor?

Find it at snow cone stands, shaved ice trucks, and carnival vendors especially in Texas and Arkansas. Bahama Buck’s and Kona Ice often carry it. Buy green apple and cherry syrups online from Hawaiian Shaved Ice LLC or SnoBiz to make at home.

Can I make Frog in a Blender snow cone without artificial food coloring?

Yes! Use spinach puree or matcha for green, beet juice for red. Flavor will be slightly different but tasty. Spirulina also works for vibrant natural green with health benefits.

What’s the difference between Frog in a Blender and Tiger’s Blood?

Frog in a Blender is green apple + cherry (tart and sweet). Tiger’s Blood is strawberry + watermelon + coconut (tropical and creamy). Frog is more sour, Tiger’s Blood is sweeter. Both popular, but Frog wins if you prefer tangy flavors.