A cherished New Orleans frozen treat is now available in the Mile High City with Sweet NOLA Snoballs opening at 916 Jersey St. in the Jersey Street Shopettes in Mayfair. A “snoball” (spelled without a “w”) is a favorite in The Big Easy featuring ice shaved into a fine, fluffy snow that melts on the tongue, creating a much smoother texture and enhanced flavor profile than the chunkier chipped ice in a snow cone.
“After spending 17 years in New Orleans, I knew I wanted to bring some of the rich culture and flavor of the city back with me to Denver,” said Lara Stepneski-Mintz, owner. “Sweet NOLA Snoballs is a taste of New Orleans with a Mile High twist. This is a first of its kind in Denver, and I look forward to introducing this fun, frozen treat to Coloradans.”
Stepneski-Mintz grew up in Denver, and her first job was scooping ice cream at local-favorite Bonnie Brae Ice Cream. She moved to New Orleans for college and spent nearly two decades there soaking up the city’s unique Creole culture. Sweet NOLA will be a family affair, with Stepneski-Mintz’s husband, kids and parents joining her to serve snoballs in the Mayfair neighborhood.
The snoball dates back to the 1930’s when the Sno-Wizard, a specialty machine used to create this delightful treat, was invented. The fine, snow-like texture of the ice allows the snoball to more evenly soak up the flavored syrups that are added, so that every bite has the perfect balance of flavor. While traditional snoball flavors including strawberry, watermelon and tiger’s blood will be featured prominently on the menu, Stepneski-Mintz also plans to incorporate homemade syrups, utilizing organic fruits and vegetables. In addition, snoballs are often ordered “stuffed” with a scoop of ice cream in the middle or with sweetened condensed milk as a topping. The shop will also offer special seasonal and holiday-themed flavors.
Upon stepping into Sweet NOLA Snoballs, customers will see bright splashes of pink and turquoise. The shop will include both a walk-up counter inside and a traditional walk-up window outside. Seating is available on the patio, with cute tables and rocking chairs transporting customers to charming porches in the South.
Sweet NOLA Snoballs is open 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Wednesday – Sunday, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. For more information on Sweet NOLA Snoballs, visit sweetnolasnoballs.com.