Experts have warned UK households to wrap their beverages with this one common kitchen item to keep them cooler for longer – and it’s a lifesaver hack for the summer
When it comes to drinks – either alcoholic or non-alcoholic – ice is an essential ingredient, especially on a hot day. There’s no better feeling than a sip of a cold beverage on a summer day. As the UK is due to enjoy another heatwave in the upcoming days, you might want to stock up your fridge with your favourite drinks.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or want to wrap up the day with a nice and refreshing drink, there’s nothing worse than the taste of a warm drink. However, this is no longer a problem, thanks to Colleen Weeden, a senior brand manager in the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen, who revealed her secret for keeping her tipple chilled.
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The ideal temperature for drinks depends on the type of beverage. For example, soft drinks and juice are enjoyed at colder temperatures, whereas wines and other alcoholic beverages can taste better when in warmer temperatures.
As reported by Brews & Spirits, no beers should be served below 6C as a frozen temperature can damage the flavour. Ideally, it should be between 6C and 13C, at most. On the other hand, soft drinks are tastier when they have a temperature between 3.3C and 5.5C.
Wrap your drink with a wet paper towel
If you’re starting to realise that your drink has started to become warm, a trick that works well is the wet paper towel method. The site explained: “All you have to do is a wet paper towel, wrap it around your beverage, and place it in the freezer.”
Colleen explained the method can work using a canned or bottled drink, although if you choose a canned drink, you should check on it as it might explode. “I usually leave my bottle of wine in the freezer for about 20 to 30 minutes, and it comes out at my ideal chilled drinking temperature,” she added.
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Thinking in advance, another smart alternative Colleen suggested is to put a few glasses in the fridge. This especially comes in handy for beers, as they’re ready to use and enjoy a short while. If you use them for any other drinks, you can even add some extra ice cubes to make it even colder.
The expert warned against using fragile glasses that shatter when they bump. Colleen said to pour a lukewarm beverage carefully because temperature changes can lead to the glass cracking.
