Placing a bottle of wine or champagne in an ice bucket, layering ice and a few tablespoons of kosher salt until it reaches the neck of the bottle, then adding water to the ice level chills the bottle in about 10 to 12 minutes.
Three Clever Hacks for Summer Entertaining

A little prep makes summer get-togethers run smoother, whether it's keeping drinks cold faster or keeping the living room tidy between guests.
Chill Drinks Faster With Salt and Ice
Line a Cooler With Aluminized Bubble Wrap
Reflectix, the aluminized bubble wrap often used to insulate homes, also works well as a cooler liner, helping ice stay frozen longer even with frequent opening and closing.
Keep a Lint Roller in the Living Room
Tucked into a drawer, a lint roller is handy for more than sweaters, quickly freshening up a pet-fur-covered sofa or a dusty lampshade between guests.
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This edition is part of the Genius House Hacks archive: 20+ years of tips, rebuilt from the original Handy Hints newsletter. Browse more hacks →