Red Grape Soup

Yield: 16 one-cup servings

8 qts. red seedless grapes
3 vanilla beans
2 sticks cinnamon
1/4 cup star anise
2 oranges, peel and reserve juice
1 lemon, peel and reserve juice
1 lime, peel and reserve juice
2 cups spring water
4 cups cranberry juice
2 cups champagne as needed simple syrup

1. in a large pot, place the grapes, vanilla beans and a bouquet garni made from the cinnamon sticks, star anise and citrus peels.
2. add citrus juices, spring water and cranberry juice and bring to a boil. simmer 10 minutes.
3. remove bouquet garni, then purée soup. strain through a china cap, then a chinois. add the champagne and season with simple syrup to taste.
4. chill and serve.

Recipe and photo from California Table Grape Commission.