Cool Off With SnowLab

The heat has arrived and with it, ice cream season.

One spot worth adding to your cool-down list is Snowlab. This shop, which is located on East Evans just off Colorado Boulevard, bends the dessert’s normal equation by selling Taiwanese-style shaved snow. If snow cones—with their crunchy, crumbly texture and glow-in-the-dark colors—come to mind, erase that vision. This treat is smooth and ice cream-like thanks to blocks of intensely flavored ice that are finely shaved to order. The ice comes off in ribbons, filling each bowl with a decadent treat. (Did we mention it’s vegan?)

The flavors are mind-bending: tamarind, Thai tea, black sesame, avocado. But there are also more basic, kid-friendly versions like Oreo, strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla. Ask owners Daniel Huynh and Augusto Guerrero for a sample and they’ll happily oblige while also walking you through the unique process of shaved snow.

And then you get to the toppings: gummy bears, crushed Oreos, lychee, strawberry mochi, and mango boba await. When asked if you want a drizzle of sweetened and condensed milk, do not decline. If all of this seems overwhelming, check out the board for Huynh and Guerrero’s favorite combinations. As for mine, it’s the matcha tea snow with strawberry mochi, adzuki beans, and condensed milk.

Bonus: Follow Snowlab on Facebook and keep tabs on the secret flavors.

4360 E. Evans Ave., 720-612-4546, snowlabco.com

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