You might wonder, does vodka go bad?
Fortunately, vodka is a hard liquor that underwent a distilling process. It does not spoil unless it is improperly stored. Like other hard liquors, vodka has a long shelf life.
You can leave them in your kitchen cabinet for a couple of years and they would still be fine.
In this article, we will be talking about vodka and its properties.
How Long Does Vodka Last?
Unopened vodka can last for decades.
Opened vodka bottles can also last for a long time, 5 years or more actually. Just make sure to close the bottle with the original cap. Do not use a bottle pourer as a replacement cap as it can jeopardize the quality of the vodka.
Putting vodka in a freezer is not recommended for long periods of time. Experts warn freezing the vodka could endanger the taste and overall texture. Vodka in room temperature is fine as it is.
Does Vodka Go Bad After Opening?
As a distilled spirit, Vodka can last for a long time. Once they’re opened, there’s still a low chance of vodka turning bad.
Over the years, there might be slight changes in taste. This is due to the alcohol evaporating because of oxygen exposure. Make sure the bottle is sealed tightly.
How To Store Vodka?
The rules for storing unopened vodka follows the same rules as other spirits, such as whiskey and brandy.
To ensure the vodka stays in good condition, make sure to avoid putting them in direct sunlight, and to keep them in a cool, and dry storage location. The same rules still apply once you open the vodka bottle.
The best places to store vodka is the kitchen pantry, wine cabinet, or a dry basement.
Storing vodka in a refrigerator is not necessary unless you want to drink chilled vodka on the same day or are entertaining guests.
Make sure the temperature is consistent and not higher than 60ºF. The inconsistent temperature may cause the vodka to expand and contract. It results in oxidation, thereby altering the taste.
Does Flavored Vodka Go Bad?
The shelf life of flavored vodka is much lower than the original vodka. Because of the extra components in the vodka, there is a much higher risk of it spoiling once the bottle is opened. Always check the label for more details.
A safe bet for the shelf life of flavored vodka is 2 years.
For people who prefer to make their own flavored vodka such as pineapple vodka or the sweet-tasting starburst vodka, they can last up to 10 days to a couple of weeks.
How To Tell If Vodka Is Bad?
You can tell if your vodka has gone bad by the smell and taste. Normally, vodka is odorless, so smelling something off in your vodka could mean it is contaminated with something. Better to just throw it out than risk getting food poisoning.
Of course, you can also try to taste the vodka if it is still good. Vodka rarely goes bad. Same with other spirits, the alcohol content evaporates when exposed to oxygen. It makes the vodka’s alcohol content weaker as the years go by.
If it tastes off, then it is best to throw it away.
The Final Verdict
To prolong its shelf life, vodka is kept just like other hard liquors. Make sure to avoid direct sunlight and too much exposure to oxygen by keeping it in an airtight container. Vodka can last up to 5 to ten years.
If you have a couple of vodka bottles lying around your kitchen cupboard, and you don’t know how long they’ve been there, then it might be a good time to check if they are still good or not.
A quick sniff and taste should let you know if they’ve gone bad or not.