You drank a glass of wine while eating, and you have some wine left in the bottle. What do you do with it? We have some ideas for you! Whether you want to cook with it, use it for a DIY project, or just enjoy it on its own, read on for some great ideas. Cheers ! đ
Make your own red wine vinegar.
Choose a wine that you enjoy drinking, as the flavor of vinegar will be similar to that of wine. Once you have your wine, just pour it into a clean jar and cover the top with cheesecloth or a coffee filter. Then place the jar in a warm, dark place and wait for the magic to happen. Over time, the acetic acid bacteria will turn the ethanol in the wine into vinegar. The longer you wait, the stronger the flavor of the vinegar will be. When it reaches the desired level of acidity, simply strain out the sediment and transfer the vinegar to a clean bottle. You can then enjoy your homemade red wine vinegar on salads, in marinades, or anywhere else you would use store-bought vinegar.
Use it for hair care.
One of the best ways to use up leftover wine is to make a hair mask. Not only is it a great way to give your hair a bit more softness, but it can also deeply condition it and make it shinier and easier to comb. To make a wine hair mask, simply combine equal parts wine and water in a bowl. Apply the mixture to your hair and scalp, then cover it with a shower cap or towel. Leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing it off thoroughly with warm water. For best results, use this mask once a week. To healthy and beautiful hair!
Turn it into a salad dressing and side dish.
Have you ever had a bottle of wine that’s been open for a few days and doesn’t taste as good as when you opened it? Don’t throw it down the sink! You can use it to make a delicious dressing for salads and side dishes. Just mix equal parts wine and vinegar, add a minced shallot or garlic clove and season with salt and pepper to taste. Next, add olive oil, whisking until desired consistency is reached. This versatile dressing can be used for all kinds of salads, from simple green salads to more complex grain-based salads. It is also ideal for seasoning roasted vegetables or grilled meats. The next time you have some wine left, put it to good use and whip up a delicious vinaigrette!
Make it into a jam that bears your signature.
Making jam is a great way to use up leftover wine. The process is simple: just cook the wine until it reduces by half, then add the sugar and fruit. Cook the mixture until it thickens, then pour it into jars and seal them. The resulting jam will be sweet and tasty, and will keep for several months. For a special treat, try adding a little spice to the jam before sealing it. Cinnamon, cloves and allspice are fine. Or, for a truly unique flavor, add a dash of your favorite liquor. No matter what you add, making jam with leftover wine is a delicious way to use up an otherwise unused product.
Bake a cake…
What to do with that half-finished bottle of wine? Unleash the chef in you and bake it into a cake. Need a helping hand? Here is a delicious cake that is sure to impress your friends and family. What you will need:
- 1 cup remaining wine
- 1 cup of sugar
- 3 eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius. In a large bowl, whisk together the wine and sugar until the sugar is dissolved. Add the eggs and oil, and mix well. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add them to the wet ingredients and mix until well combined. Pour the batter into a greased and floured cake pan, and bake for about 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cake cool for a few minutes before cutting into slices and serving. Enjoy your food !
Freeze it for later.
If you want to cook with your wine, but don’t have time in the near future, store it in the freezer. This doesn’t work for sparkling wines, but for red, white, or other wines you have on hand, you can freeze and thaw them as needed. Just grab an ice cube tray (or deli containers for larger portions) and pour your wine in. Leave about a centimeter on top to allow the wine to expand in the freezer. Be sure to cover the tray or container so that the wine does not take on the flavors of the other ingredients. If you are making wine ice cubes, you can also put them in a plastic bag.
