Cool Ways To Use Leftover Wine

If you don’t like a waste and you happen to have leftover wine- put it to a good cause. There are so many fun ideas on what to do with leftover red wine as well as quite a few for white wine. There are two main things you could do with leftover wine - cook with it or use it for household purposes. 

1. Ice cubes

Ice cubes are a great way to store your wine for future use. For your convenience use a measuring jug when pouring your wine into the ice cubes tray. This is a great idea of what to do with old red wine as well as white wine. Once the wine is frozen you can use it for sauces, soups, ice cubes in Sangria, and many more. 

2. Soups & Stews

If you like cooking and trying new things, this is a great way to decide what’s for dinner- by incorporating wine in your recipe. Many soups and stews are great when made with wine. Some of them are mushroom soup with red wine, French onion soup, Beef stew, and scallops with white wine cream sauce.

3. Vinegar

It’s very easy to make your own wine vinegar. You just have to leave the bottle open, in a warm place for a couple of weeks. It works great with lower levels of alcohol. It’s very easy because the natural oxidation process does the rest. Don’t forget to put a cheesecloth at the opening of the bottle to prevent fruit flies. Both red and white wine vinegar are great for salad dressings.

4. Red Wine Lollipops

This boozy lollipop recipe is a great idea for what to do with old red wine. You’ll need a hard candy lollipop mold, a silicone mat, or parchment-lined sheets.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups plus 2 tbsp Port wine
3 tablespoons corn syrup
3/4 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. kosher salt
12 Lollipop sticks

Simmer the wine until reduced to 1/3 cup. Let it cool completely. In a saucepan combine sugar, corn syrup, salt, and wine, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Boil then fill the molds with the hot candy and place the sticks in. 

5. Clean your fruits and veggies

Another great idea for what to do with leftover red wine or really any wine in this case is- to use it as a cleaning ingredient. It’s best if you have a spray bottle. Add your wine to the bottle, you can also dilute it a bit with water. Use the mixture to clean your fruits and veggies. The alcohol will remove impurities much better than just water. It also kills serious bacteria like E. coli and salmonella.

6. Cleaning

Does it ever happen to you that you’re enjoying your wine and suddenly you are in a cleaning mood? If so then this could be an activity you enjoy as you consume your wine, but this is only for an extremist like me. 

If you’re thinking about what to do with leftover wine, you’ll be happy to know that white wine it’s a great disinfectant! The alcohol in the wine along with its acidity is a great combination for removing stains and killing germs. You won’t have to inhale any strong chemicals but you’ll use the natural ingredient. It’s also great for cleaning your windows!

7. Red Wine vs. White Carpet

We’ve all had this horrible moment or we know someone who’s been in this situation before- spilling red wine or a white, or any light carpet. The nightmare, the panic, the regrets of even having red wine in the first place! Well, stress no more! Just pour white wine over the stain and quickly soak it with a towel. You’ll be well surprised.

8. Make Jelly

What can you do with old wine? Why don’t you make some jelly? Wine is a great base for jelly, especially if it’s a day or two old, but not completely gone off. Mix water, pectin, and any fruit you want. It could be a great add-on to parties and cocktails or consumed chilled by itself.

9. Dye

You’ve probably stained enough things throughout your life as a red wine drinker? We all have. Instead of frantically trying to wash your shirt, dress, or tablecloth, and wasting money on dry cleaners, why don’t you make some art? If you’re thinking about what can you do with old wine You make your own artistic print, dye fabrics, and even easter eggs with red wine. This way you also avoid the chemicals that most dyes contain. 

10. Soft Skin

Wondering what to do with leftover wine? Red wine is full of antioxidants which are great for your skin. You can use your leftover wine as a toner. Even better- if you’re a fan of baths- pour it straight into your bath and soak as long as you wish. This will leave your skin very soft and smooth.

We hope you’ve enjoyed learning some new tricks for your leftover wine. It feels so much better not to waste something that has so many diverse uses!