Benefit of Drinking Vodka. The base composition of vodka is vegetable or grain, sugar, yeast and alchohol. Heat – Don’t expose your vodka to any extreme temperatures both hot and cold. For long term storage, a cellar is an ideal place. Storing vodka the correct way will help to maintain it’s flavor longer. If you leave the pourer on or the bottle is not tightly sealed, the alcohol starts to evaporate and oxidize. If it’s opened, the chemicals of the flavoring will begin to leave the drink even sooner, so, for the sake of taste, it’s best to consume the flavored beverages soon after opening them. That being said, you can safely keep an unopened or opened bottle of vodka in a cupboard, liquor cabinet, or in the cellar. Other ingredients can make up the loss of flavor or taste of your old vodka. Every now and then, we keep discovering forgotten stuff in our cupboards. The last two are real enemies to your liquor supply. In this article, we delve into the essential details of vodka’s shelf life, how to store vodka, and how to tell if it’s bad or expired. This can be a tricky process for many of you. Can you heat vodka? Note that you can cook with vodka, but that doing so usually will evaporate the alcohol contained in it away, … In English, this can imply either that your food tastes horrible or that you can get sick upon consuming it, although the two definitions are often used interchangeably. It turns out that vodka, being 40% ethanol alcohol, is an inhospitable environment for such bacteria, which cannot survive at above 25% alcohol content. First off, we should define what we mean by “going bad,” because you can take it as one of two meanings. Aside from regular vodka, you may have heard (or maybe tasted) flavored vodka. One time, you find a bottle of vodka that looks old and dusty. (*). it's really hot where she's planning on storing it and the temperature can consistently get into the 100s (fahrenheit). How To Know If Rum Has Gone Bad. Flavored vodka is less stable and best to enjoy within two years after purchase. Follow these guidelines to increase the life of the vodka’s flavor: Light – Keep vodka in a dark place away from any bright or direct lights. You can consider them to be similar to drinks other than vodka, such as wine or whiskey, in fact. Vodkas contain as much as 40 to 50 percent alcohol, depending on the region where it is being sold. If the bottle is only a quarter left or even less, consider transferring the vodka into a smaller bottle. So, does vodka go bad? The chance is bigger with open bottles. If you found an old, forgotten bottle, it’s always worth spending a few minutes checking on it. After opening, oxidation and evaporation take place and may alter the quality. I like to travel around the world to discover local brands of liquor, that’s the reason why he can recommend all these authentic yet not well-known brands. It’s usually quite obvious if a whiskey has gone bad. Is it safe to leave alcohol in a hot car? If it smells, tastes, and looks strange, or dead bugs are seen in the bottle, better to throw it out. This includes being stored next to heat sources or cooling devices. she has tightly sealed the lid. Can you keep hand sanitizer in your car? Does Vodka Go Bad? How long can you keep vodka? If it looks and smells fine, taste a small amount to determine if it is safe to drink. At some point, more than a decade after opening it, the vodka’s alcohol content may dip lower than the recommended minimum for long-term storage, 25%, through evaporation. After opening, oxidation and evaporation take place and may alter the quality. Search across a wide variety of disciplines and sources: articles, theses, books, abstracts and court opinions. This risk is less if the bottle is sealed with a screw cap. After opening and after a while, it will lose its alcohol content and taste. When placed on its side for the long term, the cork might be damaged by the high alcohol content and lead to leakage. According to Absolut, their flavored vodkas are best to enjoy within two years after purchase. Vodka doesn’t go bad in the typical sense of spoilage, but the quality may change as time goes by. First off, we should define what we mean by “going bad,” because you can take it as one of two meanings. Here we will discuss some of the common side effects that vodka can … Fear not, you’re in the right place. Brandy, unopened, does not go bad if kept away from heat and light. Nevertheless, it may interest you to know the exact circumstances and conditions behind this claim. How long does hand sanitizer last once applied? So, drink it while it’s still in its prime. If it loses its flavor, most people will just mix it with something else, anyway. There are actually quite a few different statements on the Kahlua shelf life. Most vodkas have clear bottles, which means that heat can easily penetrate, and hence, can speed up evaporation, specifically if the bottle has already been opened. To date, vodka is widely produced and enjoyed worldwide, including in the US and other countries. Vodkacannot lose as much taste because it’s meant to be tasteless and odorless from the outset. In general, refrigeration or freezing is not necessary. Liquor cabinets and cupboards are ideal. So, if it smells strange (or doesn’t merely smell like vodka), tastes unusual, and looks cloudy, it’s better to throw it out. By MikeDS, July 9, 2007 in General Bourbon Discussion. Does boiling vodka make it strong? Unopened bottles of pure vodka can last for decades, provided with proper storage. Even if it freezes, vodka still has the same quality when melted. All Rights Reserved. We’ve all been there. Absolut (brand name) recommends that their flavored line be consumed within two years of purchase for best taste. I can categorically and absolutely state that vodka does not go bad. If you’re worried if vodka will freeze like a rock-solid, vodka with 40% alcohol content freezes at -10ºF (or -23ºC). MikeDS. However, the changes happen very slowly to let you have enough time to finish off a bottle. How to tell if whiskey has gone bad. Unflavored (regular) vodka is clear, tasteless, and odorless. As with light or heat, too much air interacting with the contents of the bottle can lead to a change in taste or consistency which is undesirable. Since all vodka has a high ABV (alcohol by volume), the alcohol will continue to keep your favorite vodka nice and tasty after opening. I had stoppered it with the original cork and thought that it would be OK for quite some time. Vodka doesn’t go bad in the typical sense of spoilage, but the quality may change as time goes by. Unopened bottles of pure vodka can last for decades, provided with proper storage. Avoid storing the bottle in direct sunlight, as this can change the taste of the vodka. Can Good Absinthe Go Bad? Of course, I would recommend smelling it to make sure everything is OK. Hi there, I am James Hart, an ex food and liquor photographer, who has a keen passion for different kinds of wines and liquors. Leave the emergency situations to plain vodka. Vodka originates from Russia and Poland, the so-called European Vodka Belt. First of all, whether it’s coconut vodka or churro vodka, the taste of the drink is integral to its identity. Vodka is a highly resilient liquor and can survive a range of conditions well. How To Store Whiskey. Since vodka can keep its alcoholic kick despite being bashed by the sun or other light and heat sources, 7-year-old vodka may not make any difference to you. Drinking alcohol can lead to serious illnesses and have a negative effect on motor skills, which are required for driving and machinery operation. However, many different things are being called “vodka” these days, even such as have a somewhat low content of alcohol. Vodka cannot lose as much taste because it’s meant to be tasteless and odorless from the outset. Will bourbon "go bad" in my car in the heat? Storing whiskey is similar to storing any other base liquor, like vodka or rum. Vodka is made from the distillation of fermented grains and potatoes. However, be careful with flavored vodka as this one may contain traces of gluten from the flavoring agents. There’s also the issue of crystallization and discoloration, in which the vodka is definitely not good to drink and you should discard it immediately. If you just want something to spike your soft drink with and all you have is a 5-year-old bottle of the eastern alcohol, feel free to indulge. Once a bottle of brandy is opened, it’s got about 1 to 2 years left before noticeable degradation in flavor and quality. However, if vodka doesn’t get proper care, the quality may drop drastically, or you’ll find impurities or dead bugs inside the bottle. Be careful if your vodka happens to be, say, a 50-proof flavored vodka. Fluctuating temperatures may affect the taste. Keep it in a cool, dark, dry environment and protected from sunlight and heat. People will tell you the more times a vodka is distilled the better that is, don’t believe the hype. Wine can be more difficult, but in general, wine can last for up to 10 years if stored properly. While safety is not compromised, heat and light can negatively alter the flavor. At what temperature does hand sanitizer ignite? Rum, Scotch, Whiskey, and Vodka - These … Please feel free to start a new thread on the subject! Google Scholar provides a simple way to broadly search for scholarly literature. While consuming so that the alcohol does not adversely affect your body. will not go bad in a sealed, unopened bottle. Without oxygen interacting with the liquor, the contents will remain virtually indistinguishable from the time it was bottled, even over a period of years or decades. Contrary to wine storage, you need to put your vodka (and other liquors) vertically. Vodka is also very useful in curing toothache and bad breathes. If your bottle of vodka is less than half full, consider pouring the remaining alcohol into a smaller glass bottle. Posted July 9, 2007. If the beverage looks or tastes funny, it's probably best to throw it out. Liquors contain a high amount of alcohol that doesn’t support microbial growth. So, read on! This does not mean that after a few weeks your half-empty liter of vodka will be gone. One thing to point out about liquor storage is they are shelf-stable. If nothing looks or smells off, give it a small sip to decide. Flavored vodkas are a whole different beast entirely. It can't get any stronger, as it has been distilled. If kept in a cool, dark place vodka may last indefinitely after opening. You can mix it into so many different cocktails – think of Bloody Mary, Cosmopolitan, or Sex on the Beach. For the untrained eye, this can be a big challenge. Posted by Michael on 01/27/08 I've had an almost empty bottle of Jade Edouard sitting in my cabinet for about a year and a half. What Does Vodka Taste Like: 4 Popular Flavors You Should Know, From Grape To Potato – What On Earth Is Vodka Made From. Normally the spirits that are pure alcohol can all stay in your cabinet for many years without going bad. You may notice the following tell tale signs: The colour has changed ; It smells or tastes bad; There is mould or debris in the bottom of the bottle; If an old whiskey looks or smells bad, discard it immediately. Even for vodka, they contend that a cold, dark place is the best storage area for the spirit. With proper storage, an unopened bottle of vodka keeps well for many, many years, if not indefinitely. If your vodka or mixed drink smells or tastes unpleasant and develops an unusual color, discard it immediately. Vodka—just like other distilled spirits—benefits a miraculously long shelf life from its high alcohol content. However, although some people chill vodka in the freezer before serving, it should never be stored there for long periods. If it tastes a little off, but you don’t want to waste it, maybe use it to make cocktails. To store an unopened bottle of vodka, find a place with a consistent temperature where you can place the bottle upright, especially if it has a cork, since the vodka can erode the cork and cause the bottle to leak. Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. You won’t be happy either after sipping it. Recommended Posts. Well, vodka is somewhat miraculous for its ability to fulfill its duties even when it’s quite old. More room in the bottle means more air to speed up the evaporation process. No, vodka doesn’t necessarily go bad in the freezer. Also, some of you might think that the smell is only because it is a spirit with high alcohol content. "Like other distilled spirits, vodka is lower in calories than beer or wine per serving," she revealed to The List. “All spirits have a shelf life. The shelf life is indefinite. Many alcohol enthusiasts passionately rail against the exposition of their favorite liquors to heat and light. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check for warning signs before drinking an old bottle. If you happen to find a very old unopened bottle of vodka in your storage, it’s likely safe to drink. But alcohol can go bad, in that it can start to taste like the devil. After all, the FDA has made us all a little nervous with their torrent of labels and warnings, and we wouldn’t want to get sick. Does Brandy Go Bad? Always seal the bottle after each serving. “Any liquor can go bad,” Alex Bachman tells me. He’s a broker who specializes in vintage liquor sourced from private collections and defunct auction houses around the world, which he markets through his company Sole Agent. In English, this can imply either that your food tastes horrible or that you can get sick upon consuming it, although the two definitions are often used interchangeably. Copyright © 2021 BottledPrices.com. So if vodka, with those two things happening, increases in temperature less than the water and the water can reach its boiling point before the vodka does then the water boils off and the vodka remains; if not the opposite happens. The flavored version is less stable compared to pure vodka. If you think you could use additional info about this liquor, read on. At some point, you’ll end up with inferior quality vodka. Yes, pure vodka is considered gluten-free although it’s made from barley, rye, and wheat, thanks to the distillation process. This topic has been inactive for at least 365 days, and is now closed. Of course, you can always put a bottle of vodka in the fridge or freezer to chill before serving. If it doesn’t have much of a taste to begin with, and the taste may not even be desirable anyway,  then it’s not very easy or even meaningful for it to lose the taste or start to taste bad. You can get the accurate prices from local stores. It certainly won’t taste as great as a newly opened bottle. Correct storage will keep vodka safe and tasty for a long time, and in many cases it is unlikely that this spirit will ever truly “go bad”. Home freezers do not typically reach this point. While vodka is not tougher than any other alcohol concerning its ability to take heat, light, and oxygen, its taste tends to be of less importance to most people who consume it than, for example, rum or whiskey. Higher proof alcohol might not become dangerous to drink, but once the seal of lower proof alcohol is broken, air gets into the bottle, the concentration of the alcohol drops, and pathogens that can make you sick may multiply. Vodka astringent nature is very good for healthy skin and hair growth. The alcohol content makes it unfavorable for microbial growth. Keep it in a cool, dark, dry environment and protected from sunlight and heat. Pick a spot with constant temperature ranging between 55 to 60ºF (or 12 to 16 °C). It can take decades for the quantity of the spirit to diminish significantly. As stated by the Surgeon General of the United States, pregnant women should refrain from drinking alcohol as it increases their baby’s probability of having congenital defects.