You exit the kitchen and head to the den. You stop to look for a place to sit. It’s packed with friends and family cheering on their favorite team. The walls almost shake with loud bursts of happiness and disappointment. Arms are raised in joy and heads hang with sadness. Friendly banter goes back and forth as the score changes. All the emotional ups and downs work up a big appetite and thirst. It’s good to have plenty of eats nearby and Sparkling Pomegranate Pinot Punch to wash it all down.
Game day eats have a big variety. It may seem like a challenge to know which wine to serve. What do you pair with wings, nachos, wontons, sliders, pizza, and more? It’s a collision of International cuisines and flavors. My recommendation is the same for almost every event with a multitude of food or when it’s unknown what others are bringing to the party. Go with Pinot Noir for red wine, Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc for white wine, and Moscato for a sweet or dessert wine.
A special cocktail is fun for an event. It’s even more fun when bubbly is involved. What could be more festive than that? Sparkling Pomegranate Pinot Punch is a wine based cocktail sure to please a crowd. It pairs red wine with the dark fruit flavor of pomegranate, is sweetened with apple juice and lemonade, and made fizzy with sparkling wine. There is even special ice to serve with it as long as pomegranates are available.
Game day entertaining and pairings are easy. It’s even easier when you have help and great advice. Sunday Supper is proud to partner with Gallo Family Vineyards to share recipes, wine pairings, and tips for game day entertaining success. Scroll down to find the list and links to each one. We have fantastic lineup of everything from beverages to desserts.
More on Gallo Family Vineyards: You can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Their website has information on all Gallo Family wines, a store locator, and pairing guides. I reviewed Hearty Burgundy last year and recently made Short Ribs with Pasta using their Cabernet Sauvignon. Gallo Family’s Pinot Noir is one I recommend for the punch.
Sparkling Pomegranate Pinot Punch
Ingredients
For the ice:
- 1 pomegranate
- Water
For the punch:
- 3/4 cup frozen apple juice concentrate thawed
- 1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate thawed
- 2 cups pomegranate juice chilled
- 1 3/4 cups Pinot Noir chilled
- 1 bottle sparkling wine 750 ml
- Lemon slices for serving
Instructions
For the ice:
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Cut the pomegranate remove the arils. Discard the skin and fleshy parts.
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Divide the arils among 3 ice cube trays and fill almost full with water. Freeze until solid.
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Note: For clearer ice cubes, bring water to a full rolling boil and cool before filling trays.
For the punch:
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Combine apple juice concentrate, lemon juice concentrate, pomegranate juice, and Pinot Noir in a pitcher or punch bowl.
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Add the sparkling wine just before serving, but do not stir.
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Serve with ice and lemon slices.
Recipe Notes
Time does not include time for freezing ice cubes.
Recipe adapted from one in the Publix Grape magazine Fall 2013 issue.
Get your game day plan ready now. Take a look at these recipes by Sunday Supper contributors featuring Gallo Family Vineyards wine:
- Bacon Wrapped Maple Scallops by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Balsamic Glazed Cauliflower “Wings” by Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Bean and Chorizo Dip by Foxes Love Lemons
- Beer Braised Szechuan Chicken Wings by Crazy Foodie Stunts
- Blue Cheese Burger Bites by Country Girl In The Village
- Chipotle Quinoa Fritters by Healthy. Delicious.
- Cilantro Lime Marinated Shrimp by Ruffles & Truffles
- Game Day Pepperoni Pizza Dip by Family Foodie
- Game Day Pulled Pork Nachos by girlichef
- Goat Cheese, Bacon, and Pistachio Truffles by Chocolate Moosey
- Grilled Steak Sliders with Chimichurri Sauce by Hip Foodie Mom
- Honey Dijon Glazed Wings by The Foodie Army Wife
- Honey Ham Barbecue by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Hot Crab and Artichoke Dip by The Dinner-Mom
- Korean-style Clams by kimchi MOM
- Sparkling Pomegranate Pinot Punch by Magnolia Days
- Spicy Sausage Rolls by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Spinach Balls by Shocklingly Delicious
- Spinach Lasagna Cups by Alida’s Kitchen
- Sweet Potato Skins by The Wimpy Vegetarian
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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.
Marjory @ Dinner-Mom says
What a fun and delicious punch! And, I loooove your ice cubes!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Pour me a glass of that, stat!
Katie says
Oooh! I am loving the idea of this punch, and the ice cubes with pomegranate arils are SO cool!
Liz says
Renee, now this is the way I like to drink my wine! What a gorgeous cocktail…and those ice cubes are divine!!!!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
Renee,
I love this!!! love that you froze pomegranate in the ice cubes! brilliant! I’m all about wine and punches and cocktails. . LOVE this so much! very inventive!
Stacy says
Love the deep red of your punch, Renee! I never think to use red wine in punches, save sangria, of course. But I can just imagine the pomegranate and pinot and they go beautifully together. Those ice cubes are beautiful as well!
Amy Kim says
The ice cubes are so beautiful! And I love the sound of this punch! Good occasion to break out the vintage punch bowl!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Love the ice cubes, love the combo of pinot and sparking wine, love everythig about this Renee!
Shannon @VillageGirlBlog says
The ice cubes are a brilliant idea! What a wonderful punch too!
Susan says
I just love the pomegranate cubes, they add a pretty and tasty touch!
Family Foodie says
I love these ice cubes. So fun!
DB-The Foodie Stuntman @ Crazy Foodie Stunts says
I knew there was something missing this week: a cocktail! Sounds refreshing…
The Wimpy Vegetarian says
I love this! I love the drink and the pom ice cubes – fantastic idea. Pour me a glass – I’m on my way over 🙂
Carla says
Love those ice cubes! And this drink looks like the best way to serve wine 😉
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
What a great thirst chaser, Renee!
Shaina says
Great way to use Gallo Family Wines! I like the idea of having a specialty cocktail at a Super Bowl Party. It classes things up a bit 🙂
Alida says
This punch is definitely making an appearance on our game day menu – it looks so good! Gallo’s Pinot Noir is one of my favorites…I can’t wait to try it in this!
Constance @FoodieArmyWife says
This looks so refreshing and delicious – what a great idea to freeze bits of pom in the ice!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
This is SO beautiful, Renee. I am just super in love with those ice cubes, and I’m not even a big aril lover. I could make an exception for these!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
The ice cubes are wonderful in this punch. It’s summer here and I can’t wait to make this the next time we have friends over.
Anita at Hungry Couple says
I’d be happy drinking this on game day…or Monday…or Tuesday… 😉
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
I love everything about this delicious boozy drink (wish I were drinking it right now, in fact!) and the ice. It’s so pretty! What a brilliant idea, Renee.
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
I’ve never thought to make a punch with wine, but this sounds fantastic!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Renee, this looks amazing! I love the gorgeous red gem filled ice cubes and all the flavors that went into this scarlet cocktail.
Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says
Those ice cubes alone are amazing Renee! Red wine, I love it!
chessie says
When you use boiled water for ice cubes, the cubes will be crystal clear, letting the berries shine through.