,A luxurious adult milkshake combining creamy vanilla ice cream, dark cherries, concentrated red wine, and a restrained splash of vodka. Rich, fruity, and gently boozy, it works equally well as a cocktail or dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fruity red wine
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 3 cups vanilla bean ice cream
• 1/2 cup frozen dark sweet cherries
• 1/3 cup chilled red wine reduction
• 1 ounce vodka
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Whipped cream, for serving
• Maraschino, brandied, or Luxardo cherries, for garnish
• Finely grated dark chocolate, for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Place two serving glasses in the freezer to chill.
2. Combine the red wine and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until reduced to approximately 1/2 cup.
3. Transfer the wine reduction to a covered container and refrigerate until completely cold.
4. Add the vanilla ice cream, frozen cherries, 1/3 cup of the chilled wine reduction, vodka, and salt to a blender.
5. Blend briefly, stopping as soon as the mixture is smooth and creamy. Do not overblend.
6. Taste and add another tablespoon of wine reduction if a more pronounced wine flavor is desired.
7. Pour into the chilled glasses. Garnish with whipped cream, a cherry, and grated dark chocolate, if desired. Serve immediately.

Cook’s Notes

• Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, or a fruit-forward red blend will work best. Avoid heavily oaked or strongly tannic wines.
• Make the wine reduction several hours in advance so it is completely chilled.
• Frozen cherries intensify the fruit flavor while helping the milkshake remain thick.
• For a milder drink, omit the vodka. For a stronger cocktail, increase it to 1 1/2 ounces.
• Refrigerate the remaining wine reduction for up to one week. Spoon it over ice cream, cheesecake, brownies, or chocolate cake.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as an after-dinner cocktail or adult dessert with dark-chocolate truffles, chocolate-covered cherries, brownies, or crisp chocolate cookies.

Pair with freshly brewed espresso or strong black coffee to balance the milkshake’s sweetness and richness.,

Beverage Suggestions

Red Wine–Cherry Milkshake

Description

A luxurious adult milkshake combining creamy vanilla ice cream, dark cherries, concentrated red wine, and a restrained splash of vodka. Rich, fruity, and gently boozy, it works equally well as a cocktail or dessert.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fruity red wine
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 3 cups vanilla bean ice cream
• 1/2 cup frozen dark sweet cherries
• 1/3 cup chilled red wine reduction
• 1 ounce vodka
• 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
• Whipped cream, for serving
• Maraschino, brandied, or Luxardo cherries, for garnish
• Finely grated dark chocolate, for garnish, optional

Instructions

1. Place two serving glasses in the freezer to chill.
2. Combine the red wine and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 to 15 minutes, or until reduced to approximately 1/2 cup.
3. Transfer the wine reduction to a covered container and refrigerate until completely cold.
4. Add the vanilla ice cream, frozen cherries, 1/3 cup of the chilled wine reduction, vodka, and salt to a blender.
5. Blend briefly, stopping as soon as the mixture is smooth and creamy. Do not overblend.
6. Taste and add another tablespoon of wine reduction if a more pronounced wine flavor is desired.
7. Pour into the chilled glasses. Garnish with whipped cream, a cherry, and grated dark chocolate, if desired. Serve immediately.

Cook’s Notes

• Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, or a fruit-forward red blend will work best. Avoid heavily oaked or strongly tannic wines.
• Make the wine reduction several hours in advance so it is completely chilled.
• Frozen cherries intensify the fruit flavor while helping the milkshake remain thick.
• For a milder drink, omit the vodka. For a stronger cocktail, increase it to 1 1/2 ounces.
• Refrigerate the remaining wine reduction for up to one week. Spoon it over ice cream, cheesecake, brownies, or chocolate cake.

Serving Suggestions

Serve as an after-dinner cocktail or adult dessert with dark-chocolate truffles, chocolate-covered cherries, brownies, or crisp chocolate cookies.

Beverage Suggestions

Pair with freshly brewed espresso or strong black coffee to balance the milkshake’s sweetness and richness.