Ingredients
- 2 cups Chianti wine
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1/4 cup turbinado sugar
- 2 sprigs basil
- 1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest, from 1/2 an orange
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pint vanilla gelato or ice cream
Chef notes
If you're looking for a dessert to wow your guests that is impressive, easy and delicious, this is the one! It takes just 10 minutes to prepare but the indulgent flavors of the red wine, warm cinnamon and zesty orange taste like you spent hours perfecting the silky sauce.
Technique tip: Using whole spices and herbs gives you all the flavor with the ease of being able toremove them and discard.
Swap option: You could use a pinot noir instead of Chianti, or cranberry juice for those who prefer to notdrink.
Preparation
Add the wine, cinnamon stick, peppercorns, sugar, basil and orange zest to a medium sauce pan. Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon to help dissolve the sugar. When it comes to a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Allow the mixture to cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and let steep for an additional 5 minutes. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher.
Divide the ice cream into 6 coffee cups. Pour the warm liquid over the top and serve and with demitasse spoons.
