If you’re looking for an idea that pairs a good red wine with dessert, try this delicious and simple Cherry and Blackberry Red Wine Granita with Sweetened Black Pepper Sour Cream!
Sweet, refreshing, fruity, boozy, and perfect for summer entertaining!
My husband has been a busy bee these last few weeks, so free time together has been a luxury for us. So when we did get a chance recently, we made a day of it! It was summer-like weather in early April and the outdoors were calling to us. We obliged, with a backyard picnic, complete with fabulous red wine marinated steak sandwich and this delicious red wine granita!
Granita
It’s so easy to prepare – there’s no churning or whipping involved like ice cream. Just mix the ingredients and chill and then flake it with a fork before serving.
This is why it’s great for picnics. And what’s even better is that if you leave it outside for a while, it turns in to a slushie with delicious fruity pieces in it! It’s a dessert that keeps on giving. 🙂
Recipe highlights
It’s lightly sweetened, with chopped cherries and blackberries mixed with red wine, frozen and then flaked just before serving for an amazing summer dessert! But hey, I didn’t stop there.
I topped it with some sweetened sour cream that was spiced with a little black pepper for a lovely kick. I used sour cream because it travels well unlike whipped cream.
You could use mascarpone or creme fraiche instead if you like, but I prefer the more pronounced tangy flavor of sour cream, with that hint of black pepper spice contrasting really well with the sweet and fruity taste of red wine granita.
I paired this red wine granita with a Red Wine Marinated Steak Sandwich. Nothing better than good wine, great food and awesome company on a glorious day outside!
Recipe
Cherry and Blackberry Red Wine Granita
US based cup, teaspoon, tablespoon measurements. Weight measurements are recommended for accurate results whenever available.
Common Measurement ConversionsIngredients:
Cherry and Blackberry Syrup
- 115 g pitted sweet black cherries I used frozen cherries
- 115 g blackberries Frozen berries can be used
- 70 g sugar ⅓ cup
- 60 mL wine ¼ cup
- 3 sprigs of thyme optional
Granita
- 115 g pitted sweet black cherries I used frozen cherries
- 115 g blackberries Frozen berries can be used
- 690 mL red wine about 2 ¾ cup (you can use upto 720 mL / 3 cups). Don't use a very expensive wine, just a good drinkable red wine blend will work here)
Sour Cream Topping
- 180 mL sour cream ¾ cup
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp freshly cracked pepper optional
Instructions:
Cherry and Blackberry Syrup
- Place the ingredients for the syrup in a saucepan. Bring it to a boil and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes. In the last 5 minutes, use a spoon or fork to gently crush the fruits into the syrup.
- Place the syrup in a large flat container and let it cool. The crushed fruits can remain in the syrup.
Wine Granita
- Roughly chop the cherries and blackberries and add them to the syrup. Top it with the wine and mix to combine. Cover and freeze overnight, or until it has hardened.
- Once hardened, use a fork to scrape the surface and break it into flakes. Mix well, once you have flaked all of it. Keep it in the freezer until ready to use.
- Spoon the granita into cups and top it with some sweetened sour cream.
Sour Cream Topping
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and keep it refrigerated until needed.
Nutrition Information:
“This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.”
Have you ever had Granita before?? What’s your favorite Picnic dessert?
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