Shawn Joyeux’s touch: Wine ice cubes

At the end of a festive meal, opened wine bottles are often poured emptied into the sink.

From now on, don’t throw your wine away, upcycle it! The Restaurant Manager and Wine Consultant of the Michelin-starred Alliance Restaurant, Shawn Joyeux, has an original idea using Gin and sparkling water. But first, let’s learn more about what’s in our bottles.

How long will it last?

You may keep wine a few days after opening the bottle. To optimize its preservation, put the leftovers in a closed container closed with an airtight cap. When choosing your container, make sure there is as little air as possible. Otherwise, the wine will oxidize. If you can’t manage to find an appropriate container, there is still the solution of air extractor cap while keeping the wine in its original bottle.

For culinary use, you can keep it for several months by freezing your leftover wine. Pour it into the freezer’s ice cube tray. Wine concentrations can be stored for up to a month in the refrigerator. 

Why don’t you make vinegar out of it?

Another much more original option is to make vinegar in fermentation from your leftover wine.

Wine vinegar contains acetic acid which promotes fat burning in the body. This includes the fight against type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

To prepare it, you can mix 1/3 of unpasteurized vinegar and 2/3 of wine in a vinegar tree. Allow the mixture to ferment at room temperature of at least 20oC. After a while, you will see a thin film form on the surface: it is the mother vinegar. After the creation of the mother, you will get vinegar after 4 to 6 weeks. Durations vary depending on the wine and vinegar chosen. By tasting a few drops of the mixture in a spoon, you will know if it is ready. 

Upcycle leftover wine in recipes

Wine is a perfect ingredient for your sauces. You can leave it on the stove with onions and vinegar to achieve a reduction. The power of red wine and its tannic structure give a strong taste to the dishes. A sauce made with red wine goes perfectly with red meat or game. In addition to its use in sauce, red wine can be an ingredient for your marinades. White wine sauce goes perfectly with white meat, seafood or vegetables.

For you sweet tooth, wine can be reused in refreshing cocktails like this next one made by Shawn Joyeux. 

The Gin Cocktail with Wine Ice cubes

To make this alcoholic concoction, it’s best to make your wine ice cubes the night before so they can sit overnight. These ice cubes will give off a light fragrance and aroma.

Ingredients and materials 

• 1 cocktail glass
• Shaker
• Water ice cubes
• 4cl Gin
• Wine ice cubes
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 sprig rosemary
• 1 orange
• Soda water
• Crème de cassis (optional)

Step 1 – The Making 

1. Ice your cocktail glass.
2. In a cocktail shaker, combine the Gin, lemon juice and a few sprigs of rosemary.
3. Add the water cubes and shake for 10 seconds.

Step 2 – The Garnish

1. In your glass, place two wine ice cubes and an orange slice.
2. Pour the cocktail over the ice cubes. Garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
3. Add a splash of sparkling water to the mix.
4. If you like the bitterness of gin, you can drink it as is. Otherwise you can sweeten the mixture with a dash of crème de cassis.

Remember these tips the day after your next dinner!