Puerto Rican Piragua Recipe

Piragua is a Puerto Rican confection made using shaved ice and a fruit-based syrup. The syrup is made by heating up sugar and water with flavorings. The shaved ice is shaped into a cone and covered in the cooled syrup. It is served in a cup with a straw.

The name piragua comes from the words piramide, which is Spanish for pyramid and agua which means water. It describes the appearance of this ice-based dessert when it is served. The syrup is always fruit flavored.

Tropical flavors are most popular such as tamarind, mango, pineapple, guava and passion fruit which Puerto Ricans call parcha.

Piragua de crema is the variation made with sweetened cream. This version replaces the syrup with cream, usually made from a combination of sweetened condensed milk and another milk like evaporated milk and often flavored with coconut.

Origin & Cultural Significance

Shaved ice desserts are not exclusive to Puerto Rico, with other countries having equivalent treats like minutas from El Salvador, snow cones in North America or Kakigōri in Japan.

In Puerto Rico piragua is served by vendors called piraguero, who peddle their treats from a wooden pushcart. The cart houses a large block of ice which is freshly shaved just before each piragua is made.

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Puerto Rican Piragua Recipe

Yield: 6 Servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Piragua is a Puerto Rican confection made from shaved ice and a fruit-based syrup. The syrup is made by heating up sugar and water with flavorings.

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Ingredients

• Sugar - 1 cup
• Water - 1 cup
• Lemon flavor powder - 5 ml
• Crushed ice - 6 cups

Instructions

1. In a small pot over medium heat, pour in the water and sugar, mixing until combined.
2. Heat the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved and has a slightly thick consistency, about 5 to 8 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat and let cool.
4. Add the lemon powder to the syrup.
5. Fill 6 glasses, half full with the ice.
6. Bathe the ice with the cooled lemon syrup.
7. Add more ground ice to completely fill the glass and drench this new layer with syrup. Serve.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 129Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 11mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 0gSugar: 33gProtein: 0g

Nutrition is provided and calculated by Nutritionix. It is for general information purposes and is only a rough estimation.

Photo Credit: Daniel Lobo