Alcohol is different than food in that it does eventually go bad just not in the same way. For example, national mixologist for Pernod Ricard, Jane Danger told INSIDER that alcohol above 40% (or 80 proof) won't go bad in a way that will make you sick. It might just be unpalatable.
How and when alcohol goes bad ultimately depends on the type of alcohol you're drinking
"Generally [alcohol goes bad depending on] oxidization, in which the flavor changes to being less vibrant in any distilled spirits," the national director of craft spirits education at Palm Bay International, Diana Novak told INSIDER. When sealed, distilled spirits (think brandy, rum, gin, tequila) don't go bad but fortified, wine-based spirits, like vermouth and sherry, "have a much shorter lifespan once opened" and can change in flavor and color, she said.
Cream-based liqueurs are a different story. Once opened, Novak explained that although generally combined with distilled spirits, cream-based liqueurs significantly change flavor and color and they've been opened. Additionally, there is potential for separation or curdling. "I would recommend checking them monthly to ensure that the consistency remains the same. Generally ballpark of cream liqueurs that I recommend once opened is around 9 months to 15 months" Novak said.
Then there are sugar-based liqueurs. Novak said these types of spirits can experience the same changes with coloring, flavor, and separation.
You can tell alcohol has gone bad by its color, taste, and/or consistency
For example, vermouth, especially Rosso vermouth, which are pale, dry, and typically bitter, starts to taste like Worcestershire sauce Novak told INSIDER. Sherry, on the other hand, oxidizes when it's gone bad, cream liquors will curdle, and sugar-based liqueurs change color.
Unlike how you can get food poisoning or feel ill after eating something that has gone bad, alcohol that's gone bad doesn't have the same effect. So even if you can't tell one way or another if a bottle you’re pouring from has expired, Novak said worst case scenario you'll experience an intense hangover the next day. Unless you're drinking cream-based liqueur that's curdled; in that case, Novak told INSIDER, you'll probably have a bit of an upset stomach after the fact.
So how long should you keep alcohol after it's been opened?
As far as cream-based liqueurs go Novak told INSIDER that when stored properly an 18-month shelf life is as good as it's going to get.
Advertisem*nt
"It's really just important to keep monitoring them on a monthly basis," she said. "My personal rule of thumb is after about eight months open (if it's around that long) I make an effort to monitor or test monthly to ensure it's still consistent."
Shutterstock
Sugar-based liqueurs go south even quicker. At the one year mark, Novak said, you should be regularly checking for change as this is when oxidization and separation could start. But with something like sherry, Novak told INSIDER, you'll start to notice a change in flavor after a week of opening. It's not that the alcohol "goes bad," per se. It's more or less that the taste just goes flat.
Keep a close eye on vermouth, too. Novak explained that this kind of spirit, if made well and of higher proof, can sustain its body and flavor for up to three months after it has been opened. But, she said, sweet or dry, her rule of thumb is to regularly check on the bottle after about one and a half months of opening.
However, an opened bottle of alcohol does expire and the alcohol content may change, unlike with an unopened bottle. The alcohol expiration date on a bottle once its opened is about a year or two. After this time, the alcohol will start to lose its flavor and color.
Drinking expired alcohol won't necessarily make you sick but it will lead to weak or oddly flavored drinks. There are some instances, like with liqueurs, where bacteria or mold may grow in the bottle which can lead to an upset stomach. Spoiled liquor may develop a vinegary smell and sour flavor.
Unopened liquor has an indefinite shelf life. Opened liquor lasts about a year or two before it goes bad, meaning it starts losing its color and flavor. Don't use a liquor for well drinks if you won't use the whole bottle within two years.
You use a hydrometer: It measures the density of the liquid. The heavier the fluid, the higher the hydrometer floats. Alcohol is less dense than sugar water.
Once the bottle is opened, oxidation takes place which changes the taste and flavour of your drink. It's not just the oxidation but, the temperature where the whiskey bottle is stored and exposure to light can also impact the taste of your drink.
First off, let's get straight to the point: Baileys has a shelf life. The folks over at Baileys recommend that you consume it within 2 years of purchase. Notably, they say this is for “optimal freshness” and note that you should store it between 0-25°C (32-77°F) – and definitely keep it out of direct sunlight.
An opened bottle of vodka can last for years if stored properly. Though some subtle changes in flavor and aroma might occur, it won't spoil or become harmful to consume. However, connoisseurs might notice a slight degradation in taste after about 12 months.
These types of alcohol, which include sherry, vermouth, RumChata, and Baileys, should always be refrigerated after opening. Port wine is one exception; if you don't have space in the fridge, it can be stored in a cool, dark spot.
If the color has faded significantly, this is a sign that your bourbon is no longer at its peak, usually due to light exposure. Second, check the smell. Bourbon that has spoiled might smell moldy or sour. Finally, evaluate the taste.
Unopened, these bottles will keep for years in a cool, dark place, but once you crack the seal, you introduce oxygen into the bottle, and the clock is ticking. If you have space, the refrigerator (or a wine fridge) is a great place to store opened liqueur bottles.
While alcohol blood testing is the most accurate method of measuring the amount of alcohol in the body, alcohol can also be measured in samples of a person's sweat, hair, urine, breath, and saliva.
To get quick results, police often ask you to breathe into a breathalyzer, a device that checks your breath for alcohol. But another option may be to go to a medical facility to get a blood test, which provides more accurate results than a breathalyzer.
Test if the mouth of the bottle is not too small to pour water. Fill the bottle with liquid and keep it on a smooth dry surface. Test if it leaks. Fill the bottle with water, seal it with the cap and see if water leaks when the bottle is tilted, inverted, squeezed.
Once opened, it's best to consume it within 2 years for unflavored rum and within 6 months for flavoured varieties to enjoy the best quality. While rum doesn't go bad, it can change in taste and quality over time, so savour it while it's at its best.
Unlike some wines, distilled spirits don't age or mature in the bottle. Your unopened bottle of scotch that's been on the shelf for 20 years will taste the same as it would have the day it was bottled. However, once you open a bottle, some liquors will go bad, and others will lose their character over months or years.
It's true that wine's alcoholic concentration can decrease when exposed to air. It's a simple matter of evaporation. Wine consists almost entirely of water and alcohol. Since alcohol is more volatile than water, it will, by definition, tend to evaporate faster.
Brandy and whiskey are the most common liquors that require aging. Many styles are required to spend a minimum amount of time (typically 3 years) in barrels prior to bottling. Many rums and tequilas are aged as well, though aging is not a requirement for all styles of these liquors.
Carbonated soft drinks or sodas are not perishable, and are safe past the date stamped on the container. Eventually flavor and carbonation will decrease. For best quality, consume unopened diet sodas within 3 months after the date expires; regular sodas within 9 months.
Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
