Sometimes you stumble upon a bit of a hidden treasure in Calhoun County and ask yourself why it flew under your radar. Such was the case with Twisted Snow, a shop tucked away in Oxford, Alabama that serves shaved ice, homemade gourmet popcorn, and double whip delights. This nondescript storefront houses a shop teeming with treats that will tempt you at every turn to indulge.

First Off – The Delicious Frozen Delights

Let’s cut right to the chase. Twisted Snow is the place to go in Oxford for shaved ice. You can purchase cups of ice splashed with 1 flavor (Minnie Me), 2 flavors (Small) or 3 (Medium), priced for $3, $5, or $7. The choices in flavors are as diverse as the colors in a kaleidoscope:

• Banana
• Blue Coconut
• Blue Raspberry
• Bubblegum Pink
• Cherry
• Coconut
• Cotton Candy
• Grape
• Lemonade
• Mango
• Orange
• Peach
• Pina Colada
• Pineapple
• Strawberry
• Watermelon
• Sour Cherry/Grape/Green Apple/Blue Raspberry

For those who’d prefer something different than shaved ice (I raise my hand), Twisted Snow offers something else extraordinarily flavorful – their “whips.” Whips are soft-serve specialty ice creams that can be eaten alone or in a float. Their main fruity-licious flavors are pineapple, mango, watermelon, and pomegranate. 

I sampled all four flavors (which is allowed to any visiting patron unsure of what they’d like best), and truthfully, I liked all four. I decided to try the pineapple and pomegranate in a float, as both flavors particularly stood out. Included in a specialty float are your choice of one or more whips (generally 2), pineapple juice, snow cap, and whipped cream. 

While this is not a type of dessert drink I have ever tried (I usually stick to chocolate drinks such as milkshakes), it impressed me very much. I loved the richness of the fruit flavors coupled with the hints of cream coming through. While I chatted with the owner, I couldn’t stop myself from sipping and spooning this wonderful treat. I was surprised that a drink like this – sans chocolat – would win me over, but it did. I would definitely buy another on a hot summer day.

There are a variety of toppings and add-ins to go along with the whips: gummy candies, boba pearls, drizzles, caramel, chocolate, raspberry, salted caramel, strawberry, and more.

Homemade Gourmet Popcorn

While it’s not impossible to find vendors selling gourmet popcorn in Calhoun County, not many stores have bragging rights on making it themselves in-store. I’m a huge fan of anything from movie popcorn to kettle popcorn to microwaveable. I was bedazzled by the choices. Again, they allow customers to sample before they buy, so I tried a variety: White Cheddar, Sweet & Salty, Twisted Sweet, Snickers, and Tuxedo.

The White Cheddar was light and fresh, and though I admired it, I didn’t buy any as it’s a type that I already eat a lot of (though theirs was of a higher quality). The Twisted Sweet is comprised of a mixture of chocolate and caramel-covered popcorn mixed with chocolate-coated pretzel pieces. I was an instant fan. One of their popular sellers, Sweet and Salty, was no surprise, as it satisfied one’s sweet and salty cravings in each crunchy bite. I certainly caught the mixed flavors of a Snickers bar in their popcorn version. Lastly, the Tuxedo popcorn had a mixture of milk chocolate, white chocolate, and semi-sweet chocolate. This combination really hit the chocolate spot for me.

You can buy bags of single flavors or purchase mixed bags (in layers or shaken together). Their complete list of flavor options is as follows:

Savory

• Hot, White, Ghost White, or Plain Cheddar
• Salt and Vinegar
• Dill Pickle
• Buffalo Cheddar Ranch
• Jalapeno
• Sriracha

Sweet

• Caramel
• Sweet & Salty
• Birthday Cake
• Sweet & Salty Remix
• Twisted Caramel

Specialty

• Snickers
• Reese’s Pieces
• Key Lime Pie
• Cookies and Cream

Twisted Snow also creates seasonal flavors such as the Tuxedo or Red Velvet for Valentine’s Day. In a display to the right when entering the shop, they had a broad assortment of gift boxes for the holiday, making their shop a must-visit place for finding unique holiday gift options (Easter specials for the kids, anyone?).

Other menu options that Twisted Snow serves are oven-hot mini donuts in varied sugar flavors (blueberry, cinnamon, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla, and powdered), or twisted flavors (cookies and cream, creamy bacon, maple walnut, and donut sundae).

If you’re just wanting a light refreshing drink, opt for one of their flavored lemonades: blue raspberry, cherry, green apple, lemon, mango, peach, raspberry, or strawberry.

A Little History

Mary Gooden, the owner of Twisted Snow, opened the shop in May of 2022 along with two other partners. She shared that she began preparing special shaved ice treats for her extended family and local functions out of pure enjoyment. She soon set her sights on having a trailer to sell her items at area festivals and other events, but the logistics of licensing, as well as the necessity of operating out of a kitchen, led her in the direction of having a permanent storefront instead. 

Since opening, their business has had a lot of local support, with traffic being at its highest in warmer spring and summer months. While they don’t advertise as a party venue, they’ve had patrons hold birthday parties from time to time in their spacious open dining room.

If you have a hankering to try something different for dessert, head out to Twisted Snow, located in the strip mall within the Walmart shopping complex in Oxford at 149 Plaza Lane, Oxford. For more information, email info@twistedsnow.com or call (256) 517-7669.