Photo courtesy of Hansen’s Sno-Bliz on Facebook
How do New Orleanians tolerate living in a subtropical climate where highs hover in the 80s or 90s for six months out of the year? Central A.C. is a big part of it — and so are snoballs. These heavenly, frozen concoctions of finely shaved ice and flavored cane sugar syrup aren’t like the coarsely ground sno-cones or “water ices” of the North. They are delicious, which is why colorful snoball stands draw long lines from March through October.
Recent years have seen an explosion in the number of snowball flavors, stuffings and toppings available. There are diet versions and “stuffed” (filled with soft-serve ice cream) versions. There are natural juice snoballs and creamy, evaporated milk-topped treats. In short, there’s a snoball for every palate. Here’s where to find them near the Alder Hotel in Uptown New Orleans.
Hansen’s Sno-Blitz
4801 Tchoupitoulas Street
The grand-daddy of New Orleans snoball stands, Hansen’s has been family-owned since 1939. There’s almost always a line, but it’s more than worth the wait.
Imperial Woodpecker Sno-Balls
3511 Magazine Street
Classic, creamy, sugar-free, and all-natural flavors (strawberry-basil, watermelon-jalapeno) rub shoulders at Imperial Woodpecker.
Plum Street Snoballs
1300 Burdette Street
Pink lemonade, bananas Foster, nectar cream, and vanilla orchid cream are a few flavors you’ll find at this colorful stand with ample outdoor seating.
Red Rooster Snoball Stand
2801 Washington Avenue
Classic snoballs are joined by yakamein, crawfish nachos, seafood plates, po-boys, and more.
Sno-La Snoballs
8108 Hampson Street
Sno-La Snowballs is behind the Original Cheesecake Stuffed Snoball also the creator of the “snoball tasting.” Flavors are decidedly New Orleans, including Bananas Foster and Chantilly Cake. You can also have yours put in the souvenir glass mason jar.
Are you visiting New Orleans this summer?
Take advantage of Alder Hotel’s specials, group rates, and best-rate guarantee for greater savings to spend on New Orleans famous cuisine and enjoy everything this magnificent city has to offer. Reserve your room today!
Also, consider booking a guided tour of the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 to experience the hauntingly beautiful past of New Orleans. And, for easy, informative sightseeing, we recommend the City Sightseeing New Orleans city tour on the open-top, double-decker bus. It runs every 30 minutes through the Garden District, French Quarter, and CBD. You can hop on and off anytime!
Happy summer!