How to make raspados at home

What are raspados

A little sweet, a little spicy and a little savory, raspados, or Mexican shave ice, as they are also known, are popular in Mexico and the American southwest. Raspados are traditionally made from ice that’s shaved, or scraped by hand with a tool called a “raspador” and topped with fruit or nut-based syrups and/or milk.

Frozen desserts made with shave ice are popular across the globe. Many regions bring their own spin to these icy treats with regional flavors and toppings. In addition to the raspado, there is the kakigori from Japan, the bingsoo from South Korea, the granita from Italy and many more. The Shave Ice Attachment from KitchenAid makes it easy to recreate ice dessert from around the world right at home, including raspados, Hawaiian Shave Ice and Italian Ice.

How to make Mexican shave ice instructions

Now you can make this delicious dessert in your own kitchen for the next dinner party, or for sudden cravings. Raspados only require a few simple ingredients, any KitchenAid^® stand mixer and the KitchenAid^® Shave Ice Attachment to easily create light and fluffy shave ice for your favorite raspados recipe. In just four easy steps – make syrup, freeze, shave and create – you’ll be cooling off with authentic raspados.

Ingredients²

• Fruits and flavorings – this is where the creativity comes in, use Latin flavor profiles as inspiration – mangoes, limes, coconut, serrano chilies, pineapples, cilantro, Tajin for a spicy/limey kick or lechera for extra indulgence.

• Shave ice

• Simple syrup

• Nuts (optional)

• Rielitos or Serpentina (Mexican candies, optional)

^{2. Exact type and ingredient amounts will vary by taste or by recipe}

Tools

• KitchenAid^® stand mixer

• KitchenAid^® Shave Ice Attachment

• Bowls, spoons, straws for serving

Prep time: 12-24 hours

The ice will need to be frozen in the molds provided with the shave ice attachment for 12-24 hours. The toppings can be made in just a few minutes by cooking fruits, flavorings and simple syrup on the stovetop; they should be cooled completely before using. Consider making any toppings or additional sauces ahead of time (many will keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator) so they are cold and ready to go when you have a craving.

Make time: 5 minutes

The KitchenAid^® Shave Ice Attachment is simple to set up and use. Shave over 1 pint (500mL) in under 60 seconds³ and clean up quickly with dishwasher-safe contact parts.⁴

^{3. Excludes prep time}

^{4. Upper housing not dishwasher safe}

Step 1: Make syrup

Prepare the raspado syrup according to recipe instructions. Keep in mind that the key to a successful frozen dessert is making sure all ingredients are cold. Plan ahead: the sauce or syrup should be completely cool before pouring it on the ice. If the syrup is being created from whole fruits, the mixture may need to be blended with a KitchenAid^® blender, cooled and strained, after heating on the cooktop.

Step 2: Freeze

Once ice molds are filled, freeze 12-24 hours before shaving. Make extra and keep frozen ice pucks in large freezer bags for a great last minute dessert.

Step 3: Shave

Before you begin the shaving process, temper your ice on the countertop until it glistens. Place the ice in the attachment, turn the stand mixer on high and catch the raspado “snow” in a bowl. You can even customize your Mexican shave ice with the KitchenAid^® Shave Ice Attachment. For light, fluffy shave ice, try the included fine blade. Swap over to the included coarse blade for a heavier, crunchier texture.

Step 4: Create

This is the fun part. Top your raspados with fruit syrups, diced fruits, nuts, a decadent sauce, herbs, grated citrus, sparkling sprinkles or special candies. There are no rules, just possibilities.

Tips and tricks for homemade raspados

Here are a handful of additional tips to help elevate your raspados:

• Depending on how ripe they are, fruits have different sugar contents. You can adjust for this by adding or subtracting sugar to taste.

• Finer shave ice can form an “ice shield” that might prevent thicker syrups from coating to the bottom. To work around this, simply poke holes in the ice with a skewer to help syrup incorporate, or, thin syrup with a little water.

• If you’re still having trouble with syrup coating the ice, shave ice into a separate bowl, add syrup, then mix with a spoon and scoop into a serving dish.

• Be sure and shake or stir all homemade syrups before using.

• Squirt bottles are the best way to add syrup to shave ice. Squeeze syrup slowly so it can sink into the ice.

How are raspados different from other shave ice dishes?

Many frozen desserts combine ice with a sweet syrup or topping, but the ice size and flavors used are what help differentiate these treats. Raspados’ toppings reflect the warm climates they come from, so, in addition to more spice, tropical fruits and nuts are used to flavor them and they’re often finished with milk or cream.

American snow cones are typically made with crunchier, coarser ice and sweet flavored syrups are poured on top. Raspados use shave ice that’s usually coarser than Hawaiian or Japanese shave ice, but still finer than snow cone ice.

What are some traditional raspados flavors or toppings?

In addition to bold spice and tropical fruits, Chamoy, a salty, tangy condiment, is often used to flavor raspados alongside mangoes and strawberries. Tamarind straws are often found in traditional raspados recipes and toppings like Serpentina, peanuts, Tajin and even a scoop of ice cream are also popular.

Of course, any traditional raspado flavors from family recipes can be customized with your own personal twist. Combine traditional raspado ingredients with new food trends or favorite ingredients from around the world. Substitute traditional fruits for yuzu and jack fruit or top with gochugaru for a different way to spice it up.