Today we’re preparing one of my favorite ‘dessert enhancers’ – Sweet Red Wine Syrup. Elegant, delicious, and super versatile, this is one recipe that will take your homemade dessert game to new heights.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1) Just two ingredients. Today’s recipe consists of just two ingredients – red wine and sugar. We boil these two ingredients then simmer together until thickened, and we’re done. It couldn’t be simpler.

2) The Process Couldn’t Be Easier. If you can boil water, chances are you can make this recipe. It’s just that simple.

3) Make Ahead. Today’s recipe keeps for several weeks in the fridge. That, combined with the simple process and recipe list, makes today’s syrup one of the ultimate ‘make ahead recipes,’ as well as for just having it on hand.

4) Super Versatile. Mix it into chocolate pudding, drizzle it over custard or flan, soak it into pound or sponge cake, or drizzle it over ice cream. Today’s recipe really couldn’t be more versatile.

Ingredient Notes – Simple Delights

1) The Sugar. Plain white sugar is the best way to go here. You don’t want the added flavors from the molasses in brown, dark brown, or raw sugar. Just plain white sugar.

2) The Wine. The rule of thumb here is to avoid using a pricey bottle, but to nevertheless use a wine that you could enjoy on its own. Again, we’re boiling today’s wine, so unless you want to boil away the ‘good stuff,’ I’d stick with a lower priced bottle.

How to Use Sweet Red Wine Syrup

1) It Loves Chocolate. Red wine and chocolate are considered a classic pairing for a reason – and today’s red wine syrup is no exception. Think chocolate pudding, chocolate custard, chocolate cakes, and chocolate mousse.

2) Cakes. Sponge cakes and pound cakes are where today’s syrup really shines. I would suggest doing something like soaking individual sponge cakes in today’s syrup, and then then topping those sponge cakes in rich vanilla or chocolate frosting, with a drizzle of the syrup over the frosting for good measure and then finished off with a dusting of shaved chocolate.

3) Ice Cream. The easiest way to enjoy today’s syrup is over ice cream – homemade for best results.

More Sweet Delights From Living the Gourmet

1) Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream. Ice cream is perhaps the simplest way to enjoy today’s wine syrup. Now, I love ice cream as much as the next person, but my absolute favorite ice cream is homemade. Homemade vanilla bean ice cream, and yes, I ‘prefer’ the no churn variety, and yes one of the big reasons for this preference is not needing the clunky, space-consuming ice cream churn. Grab my recipe for super-simple yet super delicious vanilla bean ice cream right here.

2) Espresso Chocolate Roll. I spoke about wine and chocolate, but coffee and chocolate is an equally delicious pairing. Prepared with decadent cream cheese frosting and candied pecans, this one recipe every coffee lover should in their repertoire.

3) Levain-Style Chocolate Chip Cookies. Oh my God, my daughter made these for me just last month, and I’m not exaggerating when I say that these were the very best cookies I’ve had in a very long time. Chocolatey, moist, cakey, and unabashedly decadent all at once, these are an ideal pairing with a mug of coffee or a shot of espresso.

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