In 2021, Americans have so far consumed over 5 million gallons of champagne, and the year isn’t over yet. What this likely means is a lot of leftovers.
Before you pour yours down the sink, you should know there are many flavorful ways to use your leftover liquid gold.
If you’ve got the remnants of a bottle left and don’t know what to do with it, this guide is for you. Keep reading to learn some champagne recipes that will knock your socks off.
Give Leftover Champagne New Life in a Fruity Cocktail
The best part about champagne is its bubbles. So when those are gone, it’s hard to imagine enjoying it. However, when you think about it, champagne minus the bubbly is white wine.
To help doctor it up a bit, use leftovers as the background in a cocktail instead of as a star. The best leftover champagne drink recipes use tart, flavor-forward fruit juice to help disguise any flat notes; for example, tart cherry or passion fruit juice, for lip-puckering yumminess.
Last, top with sparkling water to give your drink a satisfying fizz.
Champagne Chicken for the Soul
There is only one thing to say about this champagne chicken recipe, and that is; winner, winner, chicken dinner. It’s creamy, tangy, and a little sweet. This recipe uses a combination of root vegetables, mirepoix, and browned chicken, and the result will taste almost like a grown-up chicken pot pie.
This combination works particularly well together:
- Diced potatoes
- Carrots, celery, and onions (this is mirepoix!)
- Warm herbs like sage, thyme, and rosemary
- Boneless, skinless chicken thighs; cut into chunks
But feel free to substitute for whatever veggies you have on hand. For example, subbing scallions or leeks instead of the onions will taste scrumptious.
First, give your chicken pieces a quick bath in a pan of seasoned flour. Then brown all the pieces and set them aside. Don’t worry about the chicken’s doneness at this point.
Now, sauté all the veggies, herbs, and potatoes in a couple of tablespoons of butter and oil. Then, sprinkle with flour when the herbs are fragrant, veggies are soft, and the potatoes are just about fork tender. Ensure that the flour is well incorporated and continue to cook until your flour-covered veggies are a toasty tan color.
Now, here comes the fun part. Pour a couple of cups of your leftover champagne into the pan and listen to that glorious sizzle.
When the veggies are covered (add more champagne if necessary), the flour and water are well-mixed, and the mixture is at a simmer, add the chicken back to the pan. Cover and simmer on low for about an hour or until the chicken is fall-apart tender.
Last but not least, enjoy!
The Perfect Baste for a Roast Chicken
There is something about white wine and chicken; they are a match made in heaven indeed. So, if you’re ready to kick your roast chicken game up to the next level, use white wine’s fancy older cousin, champagne. Now, you wouldn’t ordinarily want to pour an expensive bottle of Dom Perignon all over a chicken; but when it’s leftover, you might as well give it to the bird.
To make a basting liquid that will leave your guests raving about your roast, combine one stick of melted butter, one cup of leftover champagne, or any other kind of sparkling white wine, salt, and pepper. Before your chicken goes in the oven, pour half of the mix over the top, making sure to reach every nook and cranny.
Then, every 40 minutes or so, use a baster to remoisten the outside (and inside) of your bird with the reserved basting liquid. If you run out, use the pan juices.
After trying this roast, you will never toss out flat champagne ever again. However, remember your champagne doesn’t need to go flat in the place. These days there are sparkling wine preservation systems that can keep your beverage effervescent for longer.
Make a French Date With Moules Marinières
Don’t be intimidated by the name. Moules marinières is simply a steamed shellfish dish. In this case, with tasty mollusks by the name of mussels.
This is one of the fastest and easiest leftover champagne recipes, with a high-end restaurant result. If you aren’t sure if your sparkling wine is a good match for this dish, you can search “sparkling wine brands that pair best with mussels,” to ensure a perfect marriage.
First, sauté a combination of diced shallots, garlic, salt, and pepper. Be careful not to let the garlic burn and continue cooking until everything is soft and aromatic. This is where the champers come in; add about two cups to the hot pan, listen to the applause of the sizzle.
Then, delicately add in your mussels. Cover the pan and steam for 10 minutes, or until most shells have opened (discard any that haven’t).
Serve to anyone you want to impress with plenty of crusty bread for dipping.
A Flirty Fruit Salad
Having a good fruit salad recipe in your back pocket ensures that you will always be ready for guests, date night, or a solo dessert. They are effortless to prepare, are always a crowd favorite, and all with your daily serving of fruit to boot.
This blend will work great with any sweet champagne:
- Strawberries, halved
- Blueberries
- Cantaloupe, in 1-inch chunks
- Mint, julienned
- A squeeze of lime juice
Make a dressing of the leftover champagne, lime juice, and honey. Add a couple of turns of fresh-cracked pepper if you are feeling adventurous. Then, toss fruit and mint in the dressing, and marinate for at least one hour.
Serve this a brunch course, or over pound cake or ice cream as a dessert.
Champagne Recipes Add a Little Sparkle to Everyday Life
There is no need to relegate champagne to once-a-year holidays and special occasions. If stored appropriately, your bubbly can last up to five days. But, once it goes flat, you can extend the festivities by getting creative with what you have on hand by using these delicious recipes.
Did you enjoy learning leftover champagne recipes? If so, be sure to explore more tips, tricks, facts, and recipes like this in our Food section.
