How to Add Raspberry Flavor to Wine

Turn red table wine into a dessert wine with raspberries.

Wine naturally has a fruit flavor -- it is, after all, made from grapes. Wine connoisseurs will describe a wine as being plummy, having notes of cherries, a citrus flavor or an aftertaste of apple. Enhance the fruit flavors in wine by adding the flavor of raspberries. You could simply add a little raspberry syrup used to flavor drinks, to taste, or you could add real raspberries to the wine.

Things You'll Need

• 1 pint fresh raspberries
• 3/4 cup sugar
• Pan
• 1 1/2 liters red wine
• 1 tbsp. grated lemon rind
• Sieve
• Funnel
• 1 x 1 1/2 liter wine bottle with cork

Instructions

1. Wash and clean the berries. Drain in a colander and shake off excess water.

2. Put the sugar and berries into a pan over medium heat. Stir until sugar has dissolved and the berries are starting to dissolve into the sugar. That shouldn't be more than 10 minutes.

3. Add the wine and bring to a boil. As soon as it boils, take it off the heat. Add the lemon peel. Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Cover and let the wine mixture stand overnight.

4. Strain the raspberries by pouring the liquid through a sieve. Use the wine-infused raspberries to top ice cream or cake.

5. Pour the raspberry wine mixture back into the wine bottles using a funnel. Push the cork back into the bottle. Store in a cool dry place for two weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Use one 12 oz. package of unsweetened frozen raspberries instead of fresh.

• For a lighter tasting wine, use White Zinfandel or Chablis.

• Drink responsibly.

References

• "Down Home"; John Hadamuscin; 1993