You opened a bottle of wine, but now you’re left with half a bottle and no plans to finish it before it goes bad. Don’t let that leftover wine go to waste! Whether it’s red, white, or sparkling, wine has plenty of uses beyond drinking. From cooking and cleaning to DIY beauty treatments, here’s how to put every last drop to good use.
Contents
Cooking with Leftover Wine
1. Make a Delicious Sauce
Wine adds depth and richness to sauces. Use red wine for hearty pasta sauces, like Bolognese, or white wine for a creamy garlic butter sauce. Simply deglaze a pan with wine and let it reduce for an instant flavor boost.
2. Create a Flavorful Marinade
Wine works as a natural meat tenderizer. Mix red wine with olive oil, garlic, and herbs for a robust steak marinade. White wine pairs well with chicken, seafood, and pork.
3. Enhance Soups & Stews
A splash of wine can elevate the flavors of soups and stews. Add red wine to beef stew for a deep, rich taste or white wine to a light chicken or vegetable broth.
4. Poach Fruits for a Fancy Dessert
Simmer pears, peaches, or berries in leftover wine with a bit of sugar and spices for a simple yet elegant dessert. Red wine poached pears are a classic treat!
5. Bake with It
Wine can be used in baking! Substitute a portion of the liquid in cakes or muffins with wine for a subtle flavor enhancement. Try a red wine chocolate cake for a gourmet touch.
6. Make Wine Ice Cubes
Freeze leftover wine in an ice cube tray and use it later for cooking. These wine cubes are perfect for quick sauces or adding a splash of flavor to dishes.
Cleaning & Household Uses for Leftover Wine
7. Use as a Natural Cleaner
The acidity in wine makes it a great cleaning agent for grease and stubborn stains. White wine can even be used to neutralize red wine spills on fabric!
8. Polish Glass & Metals
White wine, just like vodka, can help remove streaks and smudges from glass, mirrors, and even copper or brass cookware. Just wipe with a cloth soaked in wine and buff dry.
9. Make a Homemade Vinegar
If your wine has turned sour, don’t toss it—turn it into vinegar! Simply let it sit uncovered for a few weeks, and it will naturally ferment into a flavorful homemade vinegar.
DIY Beauty Treatments with Leftover Wine
10. Revitalize Your Skin with a Wine Face Mask
Red wine is packed with antioxidants that can help brighten skin. Mix a tablespoon of wine with yogurt and honey for a rejuvenating face mask.
11. Strengthen Hair with a Wine Rinse
Use red or white wine as a final hair rinse to add shine and reduce frizz. The polyphenols in wine can also help improve scalp health.
12. Make a Luxurious Wine Bath
Pour a glass (or two) of leftover wine into your bath for a skin-softening soak. The antioxidants help nourish your skin while you relax.
Fun & Creative Uses for Leftover Wine
13. Craft Homemade Wine Jelly
Turn wine into a delicious jelly by mixing it with sugar and pectin. Spread it on toast, pair it with cheese, or give it as a unique homemade gift.
14. Dye Fabric or Paper
Red wine can act as a natural dye for fabrics and paper, giving them a rustic, vintage look. Try it on napkins, T-shirts, or handmade cards.
15. Make Sangria or Mulled Wine
If you have multiple types of wine leftover, mix them into a sangria with fruit and juice. You can also heat up leftover red wine with spices for a cozy mulled wine.
Small-Batch Sangria Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 cup red or white wine
- 2 tablespoons orange juice
- 1 tablespoon brandy (optional)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (or honey, to taste)
- 1/4 cup club soda (or lemon-lime soda for sweetness)
- A few slices of orange, lemon, and lime
- A handful of berries or diced apple
- Ice, for serving
Instructions:
- In a glass or small jar, stir together wine, orange juice, brandy, and sugar until dissolved.
- Add fruit slices and let sit for at least 15 minutes (or longer for more flavor).
- Top with club soda, stir, and serve over ice.
Tip: Customize with your favorite fruits or switch to sparkling water for a lighter version! ✨
16. Feed Your Plants
Diluted leftover wine (especially white wine) can be used as a natural fertilizer for plants due to its minerals. Just be sure to mix it with plenty of water to avoid alcohol damage.
Final Sip
Don’t let that leftover wine go to waste! With these creative ideas, you can use every last drop for cooking, cleaning, beauty treatments, and even DIY projects. Next time you find yourself with extra wine, try one of these clever tricks—and make the most of your bottle!
