Would You Try Red Wine Over Ice Cream? It’s the Dessert Surprise of the Season

If you’re not pouring red wine over your vanilla ice cream, you’re missing out on this season’s biggest dessert trend. Who needs fruit cake, trifle, or fudge when you can have this two-ingredient boozy treat that’s oh so easy to make? No wonder it has been seen all over social media and home kitchens across the country—it’s too easy and delicious not to try. To help you get in on this tasty trend, we spoke to a wine expert to learn which wines pair best with ice cream and explore all the possible variations.

Why It's So Good

The recipe is simple: a scoop of ice cream in a sundae cup or bowl big enough to fit a few ounces of wine. Consider chilling your red wine before making the dessert to prevent the ice cream from melting too much. Think of it as a boozy affogato or a red wine float, depending on your preferred ratios.  

It's a great way to experiment with flavor and a creative way to enjoy wine in a new context, says Adam Lapierre, in-house Master of Wine at Total Wine & More.

How to Make Red Wine and Ice Cream Desserts

All you need to make a red wine ice cream treat is your favorite red wine and a scoop or two of vanilla ice cream. But save that pricy, aged bottle full of tannins for another use. 

The Best Red Wines for Ice Cream

Big, bold reds can overwhelm, but lighter styles can add a refreshing lift, says LaPierre. “Vanilla pairs beautifully with reds that offer bright fruit, lively acidity, and a smooth texture,” he explains. “Pinot noir and gamay are excellent choices, and a young, juicy Lambrusco can be a delightful surprise. A wine like Laurent Delaunay Beaujolais Gamay, with its vibrant fruit, keeps the combination fresh and playful rather than heavy.” 

How Much to Use

In terms of ratio, you want to start small with your pour, and then increase the wine to ice cream ratio from there. You can always drink the leftover wine with or after dessert. 

 “A tablespoon or two over a single scoop is plenty to explore the flavor harmony,” says Lapierre. “Add more only if the pairing feels balanced and inviting.”

As the ice cream melts, you can also add more wine or ice cream to play with the flavors. Think of it as a tasting experience, suggests Lapierre. Splash, taste, adjust. "When you chase balance rather than force it, the pairing becomes an adventure worth savoring," he says 

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Other Red Wine-Ice Cream Variations

While it's vanilla and red wine that is going viral, that's not the only option to try.

Different Flavors

Other flavors of ice cream can certainly work for a red wine-infused dessert. “Vanilla is the perfect starting point, but simple fruit flavors like strawberry or cherry can shine too,” says Lapierre. “Even a clean chocolate works with lighter reds." But steer clear of overly rich or spiced [ice cream] varieties, as they can clash with wine’s natural acidity. 

Vegan Ice Cream

Non-dairy ice cream, of course, works too. Try pouring wine over vegan ice creams made with plant milks for a similar result. 

Wine Ice Pops

You can also try freezing layers of red wine and vanilla ice cream in an ice pop mold for a unique, balanced treat that also helps preserve a bottle of wine after it’s been opened. And if freezing wine is your thing, you can also freeze red wine in ice cube molds (or a ziploc bag), then add it to a blender and blend until it’s shaved ice consistency to top your ice cream with. Merlot sprinkles, anyone? 

Wine Syrup for Ice Cream

If you prefer a sweeter treat, try reducing the red wine into a syrup to use atop ice cream:

• Gently simmer equal parts wine and sugar in a saucepan on low until the mixture starts to carmelize.

Use the wine syrup as a warm ice cream topping, like fudge sauce—or keep it in the fridge for up to a week to use when the craving hits.

Using White Wine, Rosé, and Sparkling Wines

A white wine may be too acidic and odd over ice cream, but try pouring it over a sorbet or fruit-flavored frozen dessert. The same goes for rosé and bubbly—if you have a frozen treat and a bottle of wine, the sky is the limit. Try adding a fruit popsicle to a glass of chilled wine and stirring for a nice flavor that intensifies as the treat melts.