The Chilled Wine Hack That Doubles As Ice Packs For Your Cooler

You know that boxed wine offers value and convenience, but what about eco-friendliness? After all, its handiness doesn't end once the wine is gone. Hidden within that box is a gem that can be repurposed in the most refreshing way possible: the wine bag itself. Beyond its primary purpose, this bag can quickly become an ice pack for a range of beverages, from refreshing non-alcoholic drinks to batch cocktails.

Apart from enjoying their easy dispenser, there are a couple of other great reasons to make the most of repurposed wine bags. First, reusing means fewer items going to waste. By re-purposing, you're doing your bit for the planet. Secondly, by freezing your refilled wine bags, not only do you get a delightfully chilled drink, but the bag also doubles up as an ice pack for your cooler, ensuring that everything else stays frosty. The flexible nature of wine bags allows them to fit snugly in coolers, taking up less space than rigid bottles or containers. Of course, you will need to take a few steps to clean and prepare the bags before you reuse them for portable cocktails or as ice packs to keep your cooler cold.

The first step in preparing a wine bag for reuse is to rinse it well with warm water. This ensures that all wine residues are flushed out, preventing any lingering tastes or unwanted fermentation. Just fill the bag with a solution of warm water and a drop of dish soap, seal, and shake vigorously. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Ensure the bag is entirely dry to prevent any mold growth by hanging it upside-down or using a bottle drying rack to allow it to air dry.

Now comes the fun part. Fill the clean bag with your drink of choice. This could be a fresh batch of lemonade, iced tea, or even a large quantity of cocktails such as screwdrivers or daiquiris. Leave some space at the top if you plan to freeze it. Once filled, remove as much air as possible, seal the bag, and lay it flat in your freezer. Once frozen, it's ready to be packed into your cooler or used as a stand-alone chilled drink — once it thaws a bit at a barbecue or on a sunny beach day. Cheers to sustainability, chilled drinks, and a cold cooler.