Ever have extra wine hanging around? This is a very rare happening in my household, but sometimes when we have gatherings there may be some opened, unfinished bottles at the end of the night. Either we can drink it within the next few days (depending on the type of wine) or we can use it in a few different ways. Here are some interesting uses for leftover wine!
COOK WITH IT!
Wine can be a great addition to a number of recipes including, but not limited to, the following:
- Coq Au Vin
- French Onion Soup
- Beef Stew
- Drunken Cheesy Bread
GREASE BE GONE!
This was super interesting to me…did you know that if you mix white wine with some baking soda, you can use it to scrub grease stains from your BBQ. Let the mixture sit for a bit, then scrub off.
ICE CUBES
You can use wine cubes for a couple of things:
- Use them to chill red wines such as sangria
- Cook with them (best practice would be to measure how much wine fits in each cube so you’ll know how many cubes will be needed for your recipe)
LOLLIPOPS, OF COURSE!
I have to try this recipe for wine lollipops…
FABRIC DYE
You need to be a bit creative and liberal with what the color’s end result on the fabric you are dying will be, but it could be the next new color of the season!
SOFTENING SKIN
It is common in India to find wine used in facials for softening and brightening the skin. I’ve used and written about certain grapes used in scrubs and other lotions for the face and body. Reservatrol has been shown to reduce the signs of aging. I sometimes feel that it helps me, at the end of the day, reduce any wrinkles that may form from my boys’ antics.
TRAP FRUIT FLIES
Yes, this sounds gross, but I have on a few occasions dealt with fruit flies. Unfortunately, they usually landed in my glass of wine. Makes sense that wine can be used to trap these little buggers. Pour a glass of wine and place a piece of plastic wrap over the top. Poke a few holes in the wrap so that the flies can get in, but they can’t get out!
Although I like to enjoy my glass of wine, there are many other uses other than the typical. Are there any other uses for the leftover wine that you use? I would love to know!
Gloria says
I love drunken pasta with leftover red. Just dump the leftover in the water pot and boil your long pasta (spaghetti, linguine) in the water & wine. This tastes particularly great with a simple aglio e olio sauce and vegetables like broccoli, broccoli rabe, or roasted cabbage.
Dana says
Gloria, that sounds amazing! I need to try your recipe out 🙂
Amber Myers says
I love to cook with wine! I don’t drink it, but it tastes amazing in a sauce. I didn’t know it could help soften skin though!
Dana says
Yes, the grapes themselves have resveratrol in them which is great for your skin!
Sarah Bailey says
Now these are some great ideas, I bet making them into lollies makes for a wonderful adult summer treat! So cooling.
Ann Snook-Moreau says
Making wine ice cubes for sangria is genius! I have heard of doing something similar for iced tea or coffee but never even thought of it for wine.
Samuel frodo says
Seriously? All these? This is definitely a revelation. I like the lollipop part. Haha
Laura says
I agree, cooking with it would be a great idea, and so would turning it into ice cubes! <3
Jessica Taylor says
Ice cubes! That is such a genius idea! I am always complaining because the ice makes my wine watered down!
Dani says
Ha! This is a great post with fun ideas. If I ever actually end up with leftover wine I now have some ideas.
Kiwi says
OMg that is a good idea fabric dye and lollipops! I love that totally doing that!
Kate Andrews says
We love to use it to cook with but I never thought of making lollipops. That would make such a great party favor – for those over 21 of course!
Rosey says
Definitely a good idea to cube them for cooking. So many great recipes call for wine.
Blair Villanueva says
I once make a wine ice cube and my Amore scolded me, telling me that I’m just wasting wine, lol.
So now I make sure I don’t waste any (especially when he’s around).
Meagan Badore says
Wow I didn’t know there was so many things you can use leftover wine for but I really need to make wine lollipops! This is an awesome article
CJ says
You forgot an 8th option. Drink some at breakfast! If I don’t end up drinking it I usually end up cooking with wine if there is any left over.
Dana says
LOLOL, very cute CJ!
David Allen Elliott says
I have to admit I am most curious about the wine lollipops. That would be delicious I would imagine. And the ice cubes are a great idea.
Dana says
Wine popsicles are delicious too, David!
Hannah Marie says
I have been thinking of it for some years now. And the only two things we do with left over alcohols it either we throw it or bake with it. So, using it as a grease stripper could be a good idea. Thanks.
Dana says
I’m glad that there was a new use brought to your attention! 🙂
Will says
Using as a degreaser is genius! Ha!
Dana says
Thanks, Will!! 🙂
Princess Quinn says
I don’t think I would not have any more problems with wine anymore. These are such clever ideas. I would be able to use all of it.
Dana says
Thank you! Hope the ideas prove useful 🙂
Gloria says
I would not have any more problems with wine anymore. These are such clever ideas. I would be able to use all of it.
Carlos says
And the only two things we do with left over alcohols it either we throw it or bake with it. So, using it as a grease stripper could be a good idea. Thanks.
Kyla Jocson says
I didn’t know it could be a grease remover! Wow. What we usually do is just cook something with it. Thanks for sharing these ideas. No more wine wasted! Cheers!
Lucy Valdez says
Ohhh love that fabric dye idea! I’m going thrifting tomorrow…maybe I’ll buy something to experiment with!
Dana says
That would be so cool! I can’t wait to see what you find!