According to Mintels April 2018 US On-Premise Alcohol Trends Market Report, 55% of the American population would rather enjoy a drink in the comfort of their own home over meeting friends for happy hour at a bar. Whats more, of those surveyed, 38% of in-home drinkers were staying by the homestead in order to “better control their alcohol intake.” But if you arent drinking more than one glass in one sitting, how quickly should you finish a bottle? In other words, when does alcohol go bad?
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) wont go bad in a way that will make you sick. It might just be unpalatable.
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.
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) dont 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 theyve 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. Advertisement
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 its 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 thats gone bad doesnt have the same effect. So even if you cant tell one way or another if a bottle you’re pouring from has expired, Novak said worst case scenario youll experience an intense hangover the next day. Unless youre drinking cream-based liqueur thats curdled; in that case, Novak told INSIDER, youll probably have a bit of an upset stomach after the fact.
What Happens to Your Body When You Drink Alcohol
FAQ
Can expired vodka make you sick?
Does old alcohol become toxic?
Can certain vodkas make you sick?
How do you know if vodka is safe to drink?
Does old vodka make you sick?
No, consuming old vodka that has been properly stored is unlikely to make you sick, but its quality and flavor might have deteriorated. How do you store opened vodka? It is best to store opened vodka in a cool dark place. A fridge is an OK option if you like a cold drink. Does vodka have a use-by date?
If you drink milk 1 day after its expiration date, will you still go sick?
This is unlikely to be a problem however, it is important to note that every situation is different. This is highly dependent on where you live and how well you have cared for the milk up and till that point. If you have left it out for hours on end then it may expire faster. This will also happen if you live in a very warm area like the Middle East. However, if you are good at putting your milk back in the fridge immediately and live in a cooler climate, then this is unlikely to be a problem.
Does vodka go bad?
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. Keep it in a cool, dark, dry environment and protected from sunlight and heat. After opening, oxidation and evaporation take place and may alter the quality.
Will vodka spoil?
As you’ve probably learned from your elders, vodka will never spoil. And we really mean never. It’s such a strong alcoholic drink that probably your grandchildren, as they grow up, can enjoy the bottle you currently have at home, and nothing bad will happen to them. Except for a bit of tongue-twisting.