If you grew up anywhere near Charm City, you know that summer doesn’t officially start when the temperature hits 80 degrees. Summer starts when the neighborhood wooden shack opens its window, shaves down a mountain of ice, and pumps a deep golden syrup right down the middle.
We aren’t talking about generic, crunchy snow cones from a carnival booth. We’re talking about the iconic Baltimore snowball—a local staple that has cooled off Mid-Atlantic summers for well over a hundred years.
At My Five Vibes (MY5), we’re proud of our roots. While mega-brands flood beach coolers with carbonated fizzes that taste like synthetic chemicals, we decided to look backward to move forward. We took the ultimate local icon—the legendary egg custard snowball—and transformed it into the MY5 OG Flavor: an ultra-smooth, non-carbonated vodka water drink in a can.
Pack your cooler and step into the history, science, and flavor behind Maryland’s original summer ritual!
The Industrial Ice Route: How Baltimore Invented the Snowball
To understand why the baltimore snowball flavor holds such a tight grip on our hearts, you have to travel back to the late 1800s. Long before household refrigerators existed, giant blocks of commercial ice were harvested from northern frozen lakes and transported south via train and horse-drawn ice wagons.
As these ice wagons rumbled down the cobblestone streets of Baltimore in July, local kids would chase the drivers, begging for scraped ice shavings to beat the muggy Chesapeake heat.
Creative Maryland mothers soon took matters into their own hands. They began whipping up sweet, homemade dessert syrups in their kitchens—using pantry staples like fresh farm eggs, vanilla extracts, and simple sugar—to pour directly over their children’s gathered ice.
Thus, the original egg custard syrup was born.
The Great Depression & “Penny Sundaes”
By the 1930s, the snowball evolved into an economic lifeline. During the height of the Great Depression, commercial ice cream became an unaffordable luxury for working-class families.
Enter the snowball stand in baltimore. Neighborhood corner shacks began popping up across Locust Point, Fells Point, and East Baltimore, selling sweet shaved ice for just one or two cents. Known locally as “penny sundaes” or “hard-time sundaes,” the snowballs baltimore loved so much kept spirits high when times were tough.
1800s Ice Wagons ➔ 1930s “Penny Sundaes” ➔ 1950s Marshmallow Fluff ➔ Today’s MY5 OG Can
What Makes an Authentic Baltimore Snowball Stand?
If you travel outside the Mid-Atlantic, people often confuse snowballs with Texas snow cones or Hawaiian shaved ice. But any local pulling up to a snowball stand in Maryland will tell you there are three non-negotiable rules for authenticity:
- The Shave: The ice must be shaved into a fluffy, soft snow texture—never hard, crunchy ice chips—so it absorbs syrup like a sponge.
- The Flavor Hierarchy: While cherry, chocolate, and skylite have their fans, egg custard remains the undisputed king of every snowball stand in Baltimore. It delivers a rich, velvety vanilla profile that tastes like liquid sunshine.
- The Marshmallow Crown: A real Baltimore local always orders their snowball with a heavy dollop of thick marshmallow fluff drizzled over the top (or layered right down the center).
It’s an iconic Baltimore tradition that brings generations together on humid summer nights.
From Shaved Ice to Canned Cocktail: The MY5 “OG” Vision
As much as we love standing in line at a local shack, taking a cup of shaved ice out onto a moving boat in Annapolis or a crowded beach towel in Ocean City gets messy fast.
We looked at the canned cocktail market and noticed something missing. Big brands like White Claw, High Noon, Surfside, and Mom Water rely on basic fruit flavors or heavy carbonation. Nobody was honoring the rich, nostalgic flavors of our coastal backyard.
We asked a simple question:
Why can’t adults enjoy that legendary egg custard flavor in a premium ready to drink vodka cocktail?
That idea sparked the creation of MY5 OG Flavor: the market’s premier non-carbonated, nostalgic vodka drink.
| Traditionally Hard Seltzers | MY5 OG Vodka Water |
|---|---|
| Heavy Carbonation | Zero Carbonation |
| High Risk of Can Explosions | Shakable and Portable |
| Causes “Seltzer Belly” Bloat | Smooth and Easy Digestion |
| Cheap Malt / Grain Spirits | 7x-Distilled Premium Vodka |
| Generic Synthetic Flavors | Iconic Baltimore Egg Custard |
Why Non-Carbonated Vodka Water Wins the Coast
Traditional ready to drink vodka cocktails and hard seltzers overload their cans with pressurized carbon dioxide gas. When you’re out on a bumpy boat ride past the Bay Bridge or tossing drinks into a beach cooler, carbonated cans act like little aluminum landmines.
Worse yet? That trapped gas expands inside your stomach, giving you full-blown seltzer bloat before the party even gets started.
Because MY5 is a smooth, non carbonated vodka water, it changes the entire summer drinking game:
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You Can Shake The Can: Our non-carbonated vodka water can gives you full permission to break the rules. Check out our guide on why you should shake your MY5 cans before sipping to see how shaking aerates the spirits and chills the liquid instantly with zero explosion!
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Clean 7x-Distilled Base: We blend our cocktail mix vodka using premium corn spirits distilled 7 full times. It’s completely gluten-free and erased of all harsh chemical burn.
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No Seltzer Bloat: Gulping down a smooth beverage vodka mixed with pure water lets you stay light, comfortable, and active all day long.
How to Enjoy our MY5 OG on Your Next Coastal Trip
Whether you’re heading to Seacrets in Ocean City, cruising around Ego Alley in Annapolis, or throwing a backyard crab boil in Baltimore, here is the ultimate ritual for serving our vodka based cocktails:
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Ice It Deep: Pack your MY5 cans under a solid bed of crushed ice in your cooler.
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The “Shake & Sip” Flip: Give your cold vodka water drink a solid 3-to-5 second wrist shake.
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Pop & Pair: Crack the top and pair your creamy, sweet OG drink alongside classic Maryland steamed crabs, Old Bay fries, or grilled rockfish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the MY5 OG flavor taste like?
MY5 OG is directly inspired by the classic Baltimore egg custard snowball flavor. It delivers a smooth, velvety vanilla-custard profile blended cleanly with 7x-distilled vodka and still water.
What is the history of the Baltimore snowball?
Snowballs originated in Baltimore during the 1800s when ice wagons transported northern ice blocks through the city. Mothers made flavored syrups for kids, leading to the creation of egg custard. During the Great Depression, they were called “penny sundaes” because they were an affordable treat for local families.
Is MY5 a carbonated seltzer?
No! MY5 is a non carbonated vodka water canned cocktail. It contains zero bubbles, meaning zero seltzer bloat and no explosive spraying when opened.
Can you really shake a MY5 vodka water can?
Yes! Because there is no carbon dioxide gas inside our vodka water drinks in a can, you can shake your MY5 freely to mix the real flavors and instant-chill the liquid before taking your first sip.
Where is MY5 sold?
MY5 is currently available across liquor stores, bars, marinas, and venues throughout Maryland, including Baltimore, Annapolis, and Ocean City. Check out our Maryland retail locator to find a spot near you.
Ready to Upgrade Your Cooler with a Mid-Atlantic Icon?
Don’t settle for cheap malt seltzers, sticky explosions, or bloated stomach cramps during your summer outings. It’s time to bring a true piece of local history to your next beach day, boat trip, or tailgate.
Experience the smooth, nostalgic taste of Charm City in a whole new way. Explore our full lineup of MY5 Non-Carbonated Flavors or grab your cold pack today!
Use our interactive store locator map right now to find a cold 4-pack of My Five Vibes at your nearest Maryland retailer, load up the cooler, and elevate your vibe!
