The Easiest Red Wine Syrup

Did you know July is ice cream month? Now is the perfect moment to serve up a few scoops of your favorite ice cream with a new topping: red wine syrup. If you’re looking to elevate your ice cream (and chocolate and caramel don’t cut it) then this is exactly what you need. Enjoy the subtle complexities of the added spice along the fruit notes of our Salute Red for a perfect summertime treat. After all, it’s hard to go wrong with wine and ice cream, and believe it or not, this syrup is very easy to make! 

Spiced Red Wine Syrup

Ingredients

• 1 bottle Salute Red
• Generous pinch of sea salt
• 2/3 cup sugar, adjust to taste
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns, bruised
• 2 cinnamon sticks, broken
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a 12-inch straight-sided sauté pan combine everything and heat over medium high. Cook down the wine syrup, uncovered, until thick enough to lightly coat a spoon, usually about 10-15 minutes. Immediately pour into another container to cool down.
2. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, then enjoy atop your favorite ice cream. Keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three months. 

Not in the mood for ice cream? That’s okay too! This syrup tastes great on just about anything. Try it on fresh fruit, brownies, or even on your pancakes (talk about a luxurious brunch)! If you don’t have much of a sweet tooth, try this syrup as a finishing sauce on grilled meats or roasted foods like lamb, pork, or even yams. You can also use it as a dip for your cheese boards and enjoy a symphony of flavors like never before.

Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking! Any of our full-bodied or fruit-forward reds will taste phenomenal, and you can adjust the spices to your liking to make the best syrup for your palate. Try adding additional mulling spices, orange peel, or almond extract for added complexity. Even better, if you increase the sugar in the recipe, try using this syrup in place of simple syrup in your favorite cocktails and watch the flavors illuminate!

Wondering which ice cream to try with this syrup? Try classic vanilla bean, pecan praline, or go full neapolitan. Let us know what you try @rubinoestates!