What to Do with Leftover Champagne? Look at Our 13 Amazing Hacks!

by Elaine Lau

You decided to pop the cork of your favorite Champagne bottle, and somehow, at the end of the night, you still have some left!

Jamming the sparkling wine cork back in is impossible, and you don’t want to waste any.

So, you’re left wondering: what to do with leftover Champagne?

Instead of reluctantly pouring it down the sink, let's explore thirteen creative ways you can use your leftover sparkling wine.

For instance, you can cook Champagne risotto or even take a bath with it!

Keep reading for more tips and tricks!

13 Exciting Ways to Repurpose Leftover Champagne

There are many innovative ways to use any remaining Champagne after a celebration.

Let’s take a look.

1. Whip Up Cocktails

Add leftover Champagne to some orange juice the following day and craft a refreshing mimosa for the perfect brunch drink.

You could also make a sangria base with sparkling wine, berry liquor, and fresh berries.

While Bellinis are typically made with Prosecco (and definitely use leftover Prosecco if you have some), you can make a similar cocktail with Champagne and pureed fruits.

2. Freeze into Ice Cubes

Did your Champagne lose its bubbles?

Pour the flat Champagne into an ice tray and freeze overnight.

These ice cubes will add an extra kick to any future Champagne cocktails.

3. Make a Pan Sauce

Use your leftover Champagne to deglaze a pan after sauteeing garlic and onions. Just like any other white wine, the Champagne will release the caramelized, brown bits of deliciousness.

Let the alcohol evaporate, and you've started a beautiful pan sauce.

To give it extra zing, add some cream and seasoning. Drizzle this Champagne sauce over sauteed meat and braised cabbage for a delectable meal.

4. Steam Shellfish

Seafood and Champagne are a natural pairing, with the acidity of the Champagne perfectly counteracting the sweetness of seafood.

You can simmer herbs and garlic in some sparkling wine mixed with water. Use the broth steam to open up clams or mussels.

You can also use this broth in virtually any seafood recipe: clam sauce, stew, even pasta with scallops.

5. Make Crepes

Depending on the crepe you’re making, you can use either sweet or dry sparkling wine in your crepes. Just replace half the milk in the batter with Champagne.

The carbon dioxide in champers will make the perfect light and airy crepes.

If you want a dessert crepe, use a Sec, Demi-Sec, or Doux Champagne for that extra sugar.

6. Soak Fruits for Breakfast

Add some sparkle to your breakfast by soaking some fruits in leftover Champagne for at least 30 minutes.

Apples, pears, and oranges all go together famously with Champagne. Marinate and include them with your pancakes for a fun start to the day.

7. Add it in a Stew

While many stews ask for red wine, you can substitute it with sparkling or dry white wine if it’s a small amount.

Champagne complements Mediterranean flavors beautifully and works well in a chicken, lamb, pork, beef, fish, or vegetable stew.

8. Make a Champagne Vinaigrette

Before you throw out that half bottle of Champagne - let it ferment for a few weeks and make Champagne vinegar instead.

Take this vinegar, add some lemon juice, salt, pepper, honey, shallot, olive oil, and Dijon mustard for your very own homemade Champagne vinaigrette.

9. Create Luscious Champagne Truffles

Champagne truffles sound luxurious but are surprisingly easy to make and will impress guests at your next dinner party.

You just need two ingredients: heavy cream and chocolate. Add Champagne to the cream, warm it, and then add the chocolate.

Let the mixture set first, then scoop, roll, and serve.

10. Cook a Comforting Risotto

There’s nothing better than a delicious Champagne risotto on a cold night.

After sauteeing the rice in unsalted butter, add a cup of your favorite sparkling wine.

The rice will soak up the liquid, giving your risotto recipe some new exciting flavors.

11. Bake Champagne Cupcakes

Cupcakes are one of the most undemanding baked goods. Simply pour Champagne into the cake base.

You can also make a Champagne buttercream frosting to bring out the sweetness of all the ingredients.

Altogether, you’ve got a Champagne dessert no one will want to pass over.

12. Cook Creamy Champagne Chicken

First, sear the chicken with olive oil or butter, then add some Champagne to the pan.

Once the alcohol's evaporated and the chicken's tender, make a creamy sauce. For a lighter sauce, you can use milk instead of cream.

Pour this sauce over the Champagne chicken. Serve with roasted vegetables for a romantic meal.

13. Add it to Your Bath

If you have a fair bit of Champagne left in the bottle and don’t feel like cooking, why not pour it into your bath?

Champagne contains antioxidants that can add a glow to your skin and help fight off free radicals. The carbon dioxide in the wine also acts as a gentle exfoliant for your skin.

A perfect self-care moment, it’ll leave you feeling like a million bucks!