Does gin go off?
Gin is a very stable spirit and if unopened and stored correctly it will retain its quality and flavour.
How long can you keep gin once opened?
Once opened, gin can be stored for years without going bad, unless you keep it in an unsealed bottle next to a radiator or in direct sunlight. However, even if tightly resealed, the taste and quality of gin in an opened bottle will very gradually start to change as it reacts with oxygen in the air. Therefore it is recommended that you finish a bottle within 2 years of opening it. The less gin there is left in the bottle, the sooner your should drink it or decant it into a smaller bottle.
The above information relates to pure gin. Some gin liqueurs and gins flavoured with natural ingredients and juices are more likely to change or deteriorate in flavour within a few months of opening.
How should you store gin?
Whether opened or unopened, gin should be stored in a tightly sealed bottle in a cool, dry place that is away from heat sources (such near radiators or above cookers) and away from direct sunlight.
Do not store gin in the bottle with a pourer attached. This will allow the liquid to evaporate, and since alcohol evaporates faster than water, your gin will become weaker in ABV as the months go by.
If the bottle is less than half full and you don’t plan to drink it in the next few weeks, it is worth pouring the gin into a different, smaller bottle. Gin reacts with oxygen, so the more space in the bottle there is for air, the quicker the gin may deteriorate in quality and taste.
Can you keep gin in the freezer? Bonus Fact:Dukes Bar in London is world renowned for its Martinis and famously keeps their gins in the freezer (along with their glasses) ready to create a Martini without the need for ice which can dilute the drink. Those who enjoy drinking gin neat or over ice will often store their gin in the freezer or put it in the freezer and hour before serving it as the lower temperature softens the harshness of the alcohol.
The typical household freezer is set to minus 18 C (zero Fahrenheit). Pure gin shouldn’t freeze until the temperature falls to minus 27 C (-17 F), so it is safe in your freezer. Gin liqueurs have a lower ABV and therefore freeze more easily. Some gins which are flavoured with natural ingredients or are unfiltered (with visible particles in them) may partially freeze or subtly change when stored in the freezer.
Can you store gin on its side?
Gin can typically be stored on its side without changing the quality or flavour. However, gins with natural cork stoppers should be stored upright as some corks can begin to be broken down by the gin and impart flavours in to the spirit when in contact with it.
Do you have another question about gin or gin storage?Let us know!
Also read our FAQs ongin ingredients & dietary information.
