How Long Does Liquor Last?

How long does alcohol last? The shelf life of pure alcohol is indefinite! A better question might be does liquor go bad? Pure liquor doesn't go bad! But, beware of additives in your bottle.

Alcohol is made by fermenting the sugars from a variety of foods including (but not limited to) grain, barley, potatoes, beets, sugar cane, and molasses. Alcohol can be used to accompany your meal, as an ingredient in your meal, or by a skilled chef to set your meal on fire! The shelf life of alcohol depends somewhat on factors such as the sell by date, the preparation method and how the alcohol was stored. Because of the relative certainty of side effects, alcohol is one of the most used (and abused!) beverages in the world.

So, the answer to does liquor go bad, when you are talking about hard liquor (or pure alcohol), is ... not really! But, as with any food or drink, still be careful. How long does liquor last? When properly stored, the shelf life of pure alcohol is approximately ...

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Liquor Expiration Date

(Opened/Unopened) Pantry
Vodka lasts for Indefinite
Tequila lasts for Indefinite
Rum lasts for Indefinite
Gin lasts for Indefinite
Whiskey lasts for Indefinite
Brandy lasts for Indefinite

Of course, alcohol lasts for a shorter period of time if it is not stored properly. In addition, drinks that have a low percentage of alcohol will decline in quality over time because of the other ingredients in the bottle - the above dates are for pure alcohol. But remember, liquor, like a lot of other drinks, does not have a sell by date or a use by date so you must rely on your senses.

How to tell if Liquor is bad, rotten or spoiled?

Practicing proper hygiene and food safety techniques will help prevent foodborne illness.

Some common traits of bad alcohol are discoloration and a foul smell.

Properly stored pure hard liquor that has not been opened should not go bad and remain forever.

There are, of course, certain health risks associated with spoiled drinks so always remember to practice food safety and enjoy your drinks before their shelf life has expired!

How to store Liquor to extend its shelf life?

You can help alcohol stay fresh longer by storing it in cool, dry and dark place away heat.

You can also place your alcohol in a refrigerator or freezer. A home freezer isn't actually cold enough to freeze hard liquor. But, like any product alcohol should remain at a constant temperature and not be exposed to many temperature changes.

Some benefits of proper food storage include eating healthier, cutting food costs and helping the environment by avoiding waste.

How long is Liquor good for when prepared in a dish?

How long does alcohol last? That depends. How long does orange juice last? In general, alcohol will be the longest lasting ingredient in any recipe but cannot save other ingredients from eventually spoiling at some point.

What are our shelf life resources?

In determining how long Liquor lasts, our content incorporates research from multiple resources, including the United States Department of Agriculture and the United States Food & Drug Administration. In addition, we scoured the web for informative articles and reports related to food safety, food storage and the shelf life of Liquor.

*An important note about expiration dates...

Although the Liquor shelf life information on Eat By Date is generally reliable, please remember that individual cases will vary and that our advice should only be taken as an opinion and not a replacement for your health care professional. Please drink responsibly!

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With oven-safe glass and water-tight lids, these food storage containers are ready for action! Not a Prime Member? Try a 30-day free trial today!

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