At any given time, you could find the following in my grandmother’s fridge: homemade chocolate mousse, gruyere cheese, and a bowl of juicy sweet peaches soaked in wine for my grandpa.
“Got any peaches?” he would ask. “I could really go for some peaches in wine tonight!”
He loved enjoying this dessert while relaxing in his favorite chair after dinner.
My grandmother was French. He was Italian… a food marriage made in heaven (and a huge DNA perk for our family!).
As a kid however, I was only interested in the chocolate mousse.
The peaches? Not so much.
I didn’t realize their appeal until I was an adult.
And here, we’re doing it 2 ways.
As with any simple dish, your ingredients need to be spot on.
Choose ripe peaches that are soft but firm to the touch (does that even make sense?).
For the wine, don’t go crazy here. Choose a bottle of red you’d normally like to drink.
I’d recommend something dry- cabernet, pinot noir, chianti- to compliment the sweetness of the fruit. I tend to steer away from ‘jammy’ wines as they’re a little too fruity for my taste.
But like I said, choose whatever you’d like.
Cut the peaches into wedges and toss with sugar. You want them sweet, but not too sweet.
By the way, when you halve the peaches (before cutting into wedges) scoop out some of the fruit underneath the pit. It tends to be slightly bitter which you don’t want in your drink.
Then squeeze some lemon over the top.
Macerate for about 15 minutes while you look for wine glasses.
Fill each glass with juicy peaches and bit of the fruit syrup puddled at the bottom of the bowl (yum!).
Then, top with wine or chilled bubbly prosecco.
Let the fruit sit for 30 minutes so the flavors can infuse. Don’t rush this step.
Enjoy as a happy hour cocktail or a simple guilt free dessert on a balmy summer night!
peaches in wine, 2 ways
- Yield: 2
Ingredients
- 1 bottle dry red wine and/or 1 bottle prosecco, both chilled
- 2 large peaches, cut into wedges*
- 2 heaped tsp of sugar, plus more to taste
- juice of 1/2 lemon
*When you halve the peaches (before cutting into wedges) scoop out some of the fruit underneath the pit. It tends to be slightly bitter which you don’t want in your drink.
Note: this recipe serves 2, so you will have some wine/prosecco leftover. To serve 4, add an additional 2 peaches and 2 heaped tsp of sugar.
Instructions
- Add the peaches to a medium-sized bowl.
- Sprinkle with the sugar and toss gently. Taste, and add more sugar if necessary- you want the peaches slightly sweet.
- Drizzle the juice of 1/2 lemon over the top.
- Let the peaches sit for about 15 minutes to macerate.
- To serve, add the peaches, including some of the fruit syrup that has puddled at the bottom of the bowl to wine glasses- the exact amount is up to you.
- Top each glass with red wine or prosecco.
- Chill the glasses for 30 minutes for the flavors to infuse.
- Serve cold.
Comments
Gretchen says
I’ll take it with the prosecco! We love peaches here, can’t get enough. The boys just picked some from the ground at a neighbor’s tree on our walk last night.
Amelie Moore says
This looks delicious! What a perfect drink to serve at brunch
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Your grandparents know how to relax! Deliciously simple, but oh my, I can completely taste those sweet peaches against the bubbly. Love!
Pamela Green says
Gorgeous! I want your genes: Italian and French!
Carole allen says
I’ve got to try this. Peaches are one of my favorite summer fruits. Thanks a lot.
annie@ciaochowbambina.com says
I can’t choose….they’re both wonderful! A lovely way to enjoy peach season!
rebecca | DisplacedHousewife says
Yumm…I’ll take them both ways! Looks so delicious Emilie. xo
Allyson says
These both look absolutely lovely, but I’m all about that prosecco. I can’t wait to make this for dessert during this final heat wave of summer.
Rafaella Sargi says
Prosecco version for me! Lovely story about your grandparents, Emilie. Bisous*