These sugared prosecco grapes are such a fun fruit snack! Sugar-coated grapes are super easy to make with just 3 ingredients and great for New Year’s Eve and other occasions. This recipe tastes fresh + fruity and uses non-acholic sparkling for a sweet snack everyone can enjoy. Great for a party or as a simple no-bake dessert!
Sugared prosecco grapes without alcohol
Sugared prosecco grapes are the perfect bite-sized treat, sweet, crunchy, and deliciously juicy. They can act as a refreshing appetizer, easy, no-bake dessert, or whenever you crave a healthy-ish fruit snack.
Prosecco grapes need just 20 minutes prep and 3 ingredients, grapes, prosecco or champagne, and sugar. My candied grapes recipe is family-friendly, and everyone can enjoy it because it uses non-alcoholic sparkling.
If your interest in more alcohol-free party drinks, try this sherbet mimosa recipe or our mock champagne punch next.
What are prosecco grapes?
Prosecco grapes are a tasty fruit snack infused with prosecco and rolled in sparkly sugar. They can also be made with champagne, vodka, or other types of liquor. Sugared grapes taste sweet, tart, fruity, and incredibly refreshing.
Taste & texture
- Taste: Candied grapes are fresh and fruity. The taste will largely depend on the types of grapes and sparkling used.
- Texture: The sugar coating is crunchy, and the grapes are soft.
Twelve grapes – New Year’s lucky grapes
Eating twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve is a Spanish tradition dating back to the 1800s.
According to the tradition, eating a dozen grapes with each clock bell strike at midnight guarantees good fortune and prosperity for each month in the year ahead.
Of course, sugared champagne grapes are a refreshing snack any time of year. We love them as a light, no-fuss dessert on hot summer days, too.
Why you’ll love sugar-coated grapes
- These sugar coated grapes take only 20 minutes prep time!
- This champagne grapes recipe requires only 3 ingredients.
- Drunken grapes are a quick and easy snack and dessert.
- My recipe is great for both adults and kids.
- Use colored sanding sugar for another fun idea!
Prosecco grapes ingredients & substitutions
Here’s a rundown of the ingredients. Each adds its own special twist to the party! For the full amounts and instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Grapes: Use your favorite grapes. Soft-skin and seedless grapes are best. The photos show green and rose grapes. Red or black grapes can also be used if desired. “The Twelve Lucky Grapes” are traditionally green.
- Non-alcoholic sparkling infuses the grapes with a delicious flavor. In addition, the sparkling helps the sugar coating stay on the fruit. I recommend an alcohol-free prosecco, sparkling wine, cider, or rosé. We like this dry secco from Gruvi. Town& Country has a helpful list of non-alcoholic champagne options.
- Sugar provides the coating. Granulated sugar, extra-fine sugar, or sanding sugar can be used. As long as the sugar doesn’t melt right away, any variety will work. Low-carb sugar alternatives could provide another option if you like keto prosecco grapes.
How to make prosecco grapes
Depending on how much time you have, you should budget several hours for the grapes to marinate. The longer the gapes soak, the better the flavor will be. 15 to 20 minutes is the absolute minimum. 8 hours or overnight is best.
Here’s how to make sugared grapes:
- Prep. Gently pull each grape from the stem. Place the fruit in a colander and rinse thoroughly under running water. Lay the grapes out on a kitchen towel to dry slightly.
- Soak. Place the grapes into a large bowl and pour in the non-alcoholic prosecco or sparkling of choice. Cover the bowl with a plate or plastic wrap (cling film) and put it in the fridge. Let grapes soak for at least 15 minutes, preferably 8 hours or overnight.
- Sugar coat. Fill the sugar into a small bowl. Drain the grapes, but don’t dry them off completely. Roll and toss each grape in sugar until fully coated. Use the leftover liquid for drinks.
- Serve. Serve right away or refrigerate until ready to eat. You can also freeze the grapes and serve them frozen.
Serving suggestions
Serve in a medium-sized bowl or on a serving platter. Be sure to have a jar with cocktail sticks or mini forks nearby so your guest can help themselves.
You can also serve them as individual portions by filling them into small bowls or paper cups.
Another idea is to thread each grape on a toothpick and lay them out on a platter or tray, making them easy to eat from a buffet at parties.
Variations
This sugared grapes recipe is easy to customize. Take a look at these ideas!
- Colored sanding sugar: Instead of white granulated sugar, toss the grapes in colored sanding sugar to dress them up even more festively.
- Other Fruit: This works well with other fruits, too. Strawberries and other berries would be great alternatives.
- Boozy: For an adult-only version, swap out the alcohol-free option with prosecco or champagne.
Sugared grapes FAQ
What can you use instead of prosecco?
A sparkling rose or cider is a good swap-in for prosecco. You could also use grape juice, ginger ale, or another carbonated beverage instead of prosecco or champagne.
Can you make this with red or black grapes?
Absolutely, you can prepare this recipe with any grapes you like and have available. Green, rose, red, or black grapes are all great options. Sweet or tart grapes are both fine, but ideally, use seedless grapes with soft skin.
I also think that the recipe works best with regular-sized grapes. Mini grapes are a bit fiddly to roll in sugar and eat.
Can you make prosecco grapes without sugar?
Of course! For sugar-free prosecco grapes, either omit the sugar or replace it with a low carb or keto sugar. I recommend an erythritol or allulose-based sugar alternative.
Storage instructions
Serve the grapes once the sugar coating has been applied. Drunken grapes can be frosted several hours ahead of time but don’t make them too far in advance, or the sugar will draw the juices from the grapes.
For the best results, store in the fridge until ready to serve.
Can you make alcohol infused grapes ahead of time?
Yes, making prosecco grapes in advance is actually recommended. The grapes absorb more prosecco the longer they soak. You can let them macerate for several hours or overnight.
Cover the bowl with a plate or plastic wrap, and be sure to store them in the fridge.
Frozen prosecco grapes
Sugared grapes can also be frozen if desired. To make frozen prosecco grapes, follow these easy steps:
- Lay your champagne grapes in a single layer on a baking sheet (tray) lined with parchment (baking) paper. Freeze for 1 to 2 hours. The key is to freeze the grapes individually, not clumped together.
- Once the fruit is frozen, transfer the grapes into a freezer-safe container or Ziplock bag.
- Freeze for up to 2 months.
- I recommend serving the grapes frozen. They would become mushy if you were to let them thaw.
Prosecco Grapes Recipe
These sugared prosecco grapes are such a fun fruit snack! Sugar-coated grapes are super easy to make with just 3 ingredients and great for New Year’s Eve and other occasions. This recipe tastes fresh + fruity and uses non-acholic sparkling for a sweet snack everyone can enjoy. Great for a party or as a simple no-bake dessert!
Ingredients
- 2 cups / 560 ml / 18 fl oz non-alcoholic prosecco, champagne, or sparkling wine
- 4 cups / 600 g / 21 oz seedless grapes
- 1/3 cup / 60 g / 2 oz granulated sugar (can sub for sanding sugar)
Instructions
- Prep. Gently pull each grape from the stem. Place the fruit in a colander and rinse thoroughly under running water. Lay the grapes out on a kitchen towel to dry slightly.
- Soak. Place the grapes into a large bowl and pour in the non-alcoholic prosecco or sparkling of choice. Cover the bowl with a plate or plastic wrap (cling film) and put it in the fridge. Let grapes soak for at least 15 minutes, preferably 8 hours or overnight.
- Coat. Fill the sugar into a small bowl. Drain the grapes, but don’t dry them off completely. Roll and toss each grape in sugar until fully coated. Use the leftover liquid for drinks.
- Serve. Serve right away or refrigerate until ready to eat. You can also freeze the grapes and serve them frozen.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 83Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 15gFiber: 0gSugar: 13gProtein: 0g
This recipe was first published in December 2021 and has been updated with new content in May 2023.