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Fresh berries are one of my favorite ways to enjoy summer, and this Berries in Red Wine Sauce recipe is a simple and delicious way to make them feel a little more special. Blackberries, blueberries and strawberries are simmered with red wine, sugar and lemon, then finished with fresh mint.
The result is a sweet, juicy berry dessert with plenty of fresh fruit flavor and just a little something extra from the wine. It’s incredibly easy to make, too, with just a few minutes of cooking time before the berries chill in the fridge.
Serve the berries chilled with fresh whipped cream and a sprig of mint for an easy dessert that’s perfect for sharing. And pour yourself a glass of Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Noir alongside it. With its bright berry flavors, Pinot Noir is a natural match for this fresh and fruity dessert.
What You Need to Make Berries in Red Wine Sauce
This recipe keeps things wonderfully simple, using a mix of fresh berries, red wine, a little sugar and lemon, then finishing everything with fresh mint and whipped cream.
For the berries
- 1 pint blackberries, rinsed
- 1 pint blueberries, rinsed
- 1 pint strawberries, halved
- 2 cups red wine
- 1 cup sugar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 4 mint sprigs
For serving
- Freshly whipped cream
- Mint sprigs, for garnish
The combination of blackberries, blueberries and strawberries gives this dessert plenty of fresh berry flavor, while the red wine adds a rich, fruity layer to the sauce.
How to Make Berries in Red Wine Sauce
This dessert comes together in just a few simple steps. Once the berries have simmered in the red wine sauce, they just need a little time to cool and chill before serving.
- Combine the berries: Add the blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, red wine and sugar to a saucepan.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the mint: Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the mint sprigs. Let the mixture cool completely.
- Chill: Store the berries in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
- Serve: Spoon the chilled berries into serving dishes and top with freshly whipped cream and a mint sprig for garnish.
For the full recipe, including the complete ingredient list and detailed instructions, see the recipe card below.
Berries in Red Wine Sauce Recipe
Recipe Type:
Dessert
Prep Time:
5 minutes
Cook Time:
10 minutes
Total Time:
15 minutes
Servings:
4
Ingredients
- 1 pint blackberries, rinsed
- 1 pint blueberries, rinsed
- 1 pint strawberries, halved
- 2 cups red wine
- 1 cup sugar
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 4 mint sprigs
- Freshly whipped cream
- Mint sprigs, for garnish.
Instructions
- Combine the blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, red wine and sugar in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat and add mint sprigs, cool completely.
- Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
- Serve with fresh whipped cream and garnish with mint sprigs.
What Wine Goes with Berries in Red Wine Sauce?
For this fresh and fruity dessert, I love pairing the berries with a glass of Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Pinot Noir. The bright berry character of Pinot Noir makes it a natural match for the blackberries, blueberries and strawberries in the dessert.
The wine also adds a nice contrast to the sweetness of the berries and whipped cream without overwhelming the fresh fruit flavors. It’s a light and refreshing pairing that feels right at home alongside a simple summer dessert.
Serve the berries chilled, add a little freshly whipped cream and pour yourself a glass of Pinot Noir. Now that’s my kind of dessert!
FAQs
Can I use frozen berries for this recipe?
I prefer fresh berries for this recipe because they hold their shape nicely and give the dessert a bright, fresh flavor. If you’re making it outside of berry season, frozen berries can be an option, but the texture may be softer.
How long do the berries need to chill?
The original recipe calls for chilling the berries for about 1 hour. This gives them plenty of time to cool and allows the flavors to come together before serving.
Can I use different types of berries?
You can adjust the mix based on what you have available. The original recipe uses blackberries, blueberries and strawberries, which gives you a nice variety of colors, textures and flavors.
What can I serve with berries in red wine sauce?
Freshly whipped cream is my favorite way to serve these berries. A sprig of fresh mint adds a nice finishing touch and makes the dessert look beautiful when served.
Is this recipe good for entertaining?
Absolutely. Since the berries can be prepared and chilled ahead of time, this is an easy dessert to have ready before guests arrive. Just add the whipped cream and mint when you’re ready to serve.
