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The Surprising Truth About Cooking with Wine and Liquor

When it comes to cooking with wine or liquor, many of us assume that the heat of the stove or oven burns off all the alcohol, leaving our dishes safe for everyone to enjoy. But the reality is more complex. In fact, the amount of alcohol that remains in your food can vary greatly depending on several key factors.

Understanding Evaporation

Alcohol boils at a lower temperature than water, which means it will start to evaporate before the water does. However, this doesn’t mean that all the alcohol will disappear. The rate of evaporation depends on the concentration of the alcohol, the heat applied, and the cooking time.

Three Key Factors Affecting Alcohol Retention

According to Jim Lapsley, an expert in viticulture and enology, the amount of alcohol left in your dish after cooking depends on three crucial factors: concentration, heat, and time. A recipe using a higher percentage of alcohol heated briefly will retain more alcohol than a recipe using a lower percentage of alcohol heated for a longer period.

Real-Life Examples

Take, for instance, crêpes suzette flambéed with Grand Marnier. This dish will retain more alcohol than boeuf bourguignon made with red wine that has been cooked for several hours. The difference lies in the cooking method and time.

What the Science Says

A 2003 study by the USDA’s Nutrient Data Laboratory reveals that the amount of alcohol retained in food can range from 5 to 85 percent, depending on the preparation method. For baked or simmered dishes with alcohol mixed in, after 2 1/2 hours of cooking time, only 5 percent of the original amount of alcohol remains. However, when the alcohol is added to a boiling liquid and then removed from the heat, a staggering 85 percent of the alcohol remains.

The Takeaway

So, the next time you’re cooking with wine or liquor, remember that the amount of alcohol that remains in your dish can vary greatly. By understanding the factors that affect alcohol retention, you can make informed decisions about the recipes you choose and the cooking methods you use.