Dark chocolate and red wine.
This antioxidant-rich duo goes together so often for a reason. I recently found myself with a half bottle of lovely The Cloak Sangiovese on hand and decided to make the most of both it and the last days of winter. Maybe due to the fact that I’d already downed half of it. Adding a slug of red wine to your hot chocolate exaggerates the drink’s earthy, fruity tones and makes it so very grown up. Add homemade, red wine-spiked marshmallows to take things to ridiculous(ly good) extremes. These fluffy clouds are deceptively easy to make and, now that I know how, experimental whiskey marshmallows are up next!
– Red Wine Marshmallows –
-Ingredients –
2 sachets gelatine
8 tablespoons red wine (we used The Cloak Sangiovese)
1/3 cup red wine, extra
1.5 cups castor sugar
1 large pinch sea salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp rose or strawberry extract
icing sugar
Melted dark chocolate, to coat (bonus point if you find a red wine infused chocolate)
– Method-
Mix the gelatine and wine in a small bowl with a fork until well combined (it will create a gel if you let it sit for a moment). Coat the inside of a small pan with a light spray of neutral-flavoured oil and sprinkle icing sugar all over it. Dissolve the castor sugar with the extra wine in a small saucepan over medium heat while stirring. Bring to a simmer and add gelatin mixture. Stir to combine and bring to the boil. Pour into the bowl of an electric mixer. Add salt and extracts. beat for 15 minutes. This purple-ish liquid will magically turn white and fluffy. Pour into a pan and smooth with a spatula. Let set for several hours or overnight. Sprinkle the top with icing sugar before turning out onto baking paper to cut into chunks. Dip into or drizzle with extra dark chocolate. Leave to set in fridge for a least 30mins.
– Red Wine Hot Chocolate –
– Ingredients –
3/4 cup milk
1/2 cup fruity red wine (we used The Cloak Sangiovese)
1/6 cup dark chocolate, chopped into chunks
– Method –
Stirring constantly, melt chocolate with milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Add red wine and stir until combined. Optional: Carefully whip your hot chocolate in a blender to make it extra airy. Pour into your favourite mug and serve with red wine marshmallows.
