*This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure to learn more.
After a party or a night out, you might have a bottle or two of leftover liquor sitting around your house that you didn’t get around to finishing.
Most liquors and liqueurs can be stored in your liquor cabinet or on your bar cart until your next get-together.
However, what if you’re not someone who imbibes very often? Does alcohol have an expiry date? What about flavored liquors like Fireball?
This liqueur is a popular choice for parties because of its cinnamon-spicy flavor and the subtle burn you get when you drink it straight.
It also makes a fabulous mixed drink thanks to the flavor profile. But unlike some other spirits like vodka or rum, sometimes you’re only in the mood for one or two small drinks of Fireball because its flavor is so strong.
If that’s the case, how long can you keep it on the shelf? Does it go bad?
So, does Fireball go bad? An unopened Fireball can last pretty much indefinitely in your liquor cabinet. You should drink opened Fireball within 6 months to 2 years. The less Fireball there is in the bottle, the faster it should be used since more space increases the amount of oxygen and oxidation.
Read on to discover what Fireball is, what its shelf life is, what happens when you open a bottle of Fireball, whether it’s safe to drink Fireball past its expiry date, what mixers taste best with Fireball, and more!
What Is Fireball?
If you’ve ever tried Fireball, then you know that its most distinct flavor is cinnamon.
That’s because Fireball is a flavored whiskey product made from Canadian whisky, cinnamon flavoring, and sweeteners to create a spirit that is spicy and strong.
Fireball is a spirit that you can drink straight (if you like cinnamon) or you can use it to add a delicious, warming spice flavor to your mixed drinks. Technically, it is a liqueur as opposed to a liquor.
It was originally developed in Canada in the 1980s as a flavored schnapps by Seagrams. It is now produced by the Sazarac Company. The “whisky” in Fireball is spelled without an “e” because of its Canadian roots.
Does Fireball Go Bad? What Is the Shelf Life for Fireball?
When it comes to alcohol, the shelf life can vary and that’s the case for Fireball as well.
While the manufacturer does put a shelf life on its products, typically alcohol doesn’t really go bad unless it has been contaminated by something getting into the bottle.
With that being said, according to the company that makes it, Fireball has a shelf life of about 4 years for an unopened bottle.
They also make some flavored varieties that have a shelf life of about two years, while some drink mixes have a shelf life of 1 year.
Many whiskey aficionados claim that unopened whiskey can never really go bad, since the aging process is stopped once the product has been bottled.
So if you have an unopened bottle of Fireball in your liquor cabinet, it’s likely safe to drink no matter how old it is.
What Is the Shelf Life of Opened Fireball?
Once you open your Fireball, you will want to drink it within about 6 months to 2 years. Once the bottle has been opened, the alcohol can be exposed to the air. If it’s left opened or not fully sealed, the alcohol can actually start to evaporate.
The evaporation of the alcohol in Fireball changes the flavor and, of course, drops the proof so it won’t be as strong if you let it sit for too long. However, some people claim that letting Fireball sit longer actually produces a smoother flavor.
The one thing you want to make sure you avoid is contaminating the bottle. Once you introduce bacteria or other contaminants to the Fireball it can make it go off and change the flavor!
To prevent this from happening never add anything to your bottle of Fireball (juices, sodas, etc.), and never drink directly from the bottle.
What Happens to Opened Fireball?
When a bottle of Fireball is opened, air is let into the bottle. That air causes a process called oxidation, which can change the flavor of the Fireball.
Over time the alcohol also evaporates, leaving you with a milder whiskey.
What Happens to Fireball After Its Expiration Date?
The main thing that happens to Fireball, and other spirits, once they go past their expiration date is that the alcohol content starts to reduce.
The lower alcohol content means it won’t be as strong as it was prior to the expiry date.
Can You Drink Fireball After Its Expiry Date?
You can absolutely drink Fireball after its expiry date so long as nothing has gotten into the bottle to contaminate it and cause it to go bad.
There is nothing dangerous about drinking Fireball (or other spirits) that have passed their expiration date.
You may even find that you enjoy the flavor of the Fireball more as it ages in the bottle since the alcohol content decreases and the flavor could be smoother and more delicious.
If your Fireball has an odd taste that is metallic, sour, musty, or otherwise off then you should throw it away.
Does Fireball Need to Be Refrigerated After Opening?
Like all hard liquors, there is no need to refrigerate your Fireball after you open it. Just store it in a cool, dry place such as a liquor cabinet or on your drinks cart out of direct sunlight.
Make sure the bottle is tightly sealed and enjoy it within 6 months to 2 years of opening for the best results.
Can You Freeze Fireball?
Fireball is made so that it can be stored in any freezer without icing up. You would have to set your freezer to -12°F before it would freeze.
That means it’s safe to pop your bottle of Fireball in the freezer and pour it straight into your drink of choice.
What Is the Alcohol Content of Fireball?
Fireball is 66 proof, which means it is 33% alcohol, so it isn’t as strong as most other whiskey brands on the market.
The lower alcohol content is likely due to the extra sugar that is added to make this alcohol taste sweeter. Each 1.5-ounce glass has about 11 grams of sugar.
Can You Add Fireball to Coffee?
Cinnamon and coffee is actually a flavor combination that works really well together. If you’re looking for a fun spin on a coffee-based drink for your next brunch, try making this Fireball & Bailey’s Irish Coffee:
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Bailey’s Irish Cream
- 1/2 to 1 ounce of Fireball
- 1 teaspoon sugar or maple syrup
- 4 ounces of hot coffee
- Whipped cream
- A pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg
Directions
- Combine the Bailey’s Irish Cream, Fireball, and sweetener in a coffee mug, mixing it all together.
- Pour in your coffee.
- Top with whipped cream and dust with a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg. Enjoy!
What Mixers Taste Best With Fireball?
While Fireball does taste really nice on its own thanks to the cinnamon flavoring and sweetener, you can also use it to make some co*cktails if you are feeling a little fancier or just want to something sweet to sip on.
Some of the best mixers to use with Fireball include:
- Orange Juice
- Cherry Cola
- Cola
- Cream Soda
- Apple Juice
- Apple Cider
- Cranberry Juice
- Ginger Ale
- Coffee
- Vanilla Ice Cream
- Eggnog
- Red Wine (as part of a twist on a classic Sangria!)
- Ginger Beer
- Pink Lemonade
- Sweet Tea
Apple Pie Fireball co*cktail Recipe
Thanks to the delicious cinnamon-sweet flavor of Fireball, it makes a great addition to any co*cktail. Try this tasty Apple Pie co*cktail at your next party.
Ingredients
- Ground brown sugar for the rim
- 1-ounce Fireball Whisky
- 1-ounce Vanilla Vodka
- 4 Ounces Apple Juice or Apple Cider
- Pinch of ginger, nutmeg, and cinnamon
- A handful of ice cubes
Directions
- Wet the rim of your rock glass and rotate it on a plate of finely ground brown sugar to coat the rim. You can use a little bit of apple juice to coat the rim.
- In a martini shaker combine the remaining ingredients and shake it about 15 times.
- Pour the mixture into your glass.
- Serve chilled.
Sweet Tea Fireball co*cktail
Another tasty drink to enjoy during the summer months is a Sweet Tea Fireball co*cktail. It’s super easy to make a big batch ahead of time and serve it at your next barbecue or picnic.
Ingredients
- 4 cups sweet tea
- 2 cups orange juice (freshly squeezed is best, but any will do)
- 1.5 cups Fireball
Directions
- Combine all ingredients in a pitcher.
- Chill in the fridge for an hour or add ice cubes for serving.
- Can garnish with cinnamon sticks or orange slices.
If you’re looking for even more amazing Fireball recipes, make sure to check out this video from the folks over at Cosmopolitan!
Up Next: How To Make Smoked Spaghetti Squash
