Ever gazed into your liquor cabinet and thought, “I’m really feeling like a margarita, but this tequila is from ages ago.” We’ve all been there. You shove a bottle in the back and then pull it out months later while entertaining, crossing your fingers that it still tastes right. So, the real question is, does tequila really go bad like your milk or orange juice?
For all of us who like to entertain, that’s the million dollar question. So let’s dive in together and find out.
Ideally, you should consume any bottle of alcohol in less than a year after opening it, but in the case of tequila the ideal is about 2 months, more considering its complexity of flavor. But remember, what really happens is that it loses quality, it does not become a harmful food.
The Short Answer: Yes and No
We know that doesn’t clear things up right away, but it’s true. The answer is complicated.
Let’s say a friend with impeccable taste gifted you a bottle of premium Mezcal Rosaluna a few weeks ago. It’s sitting on your kitchen counter, glittering under the lights, just waiting to be opened. You’re new to this magical Mezcal thing, and there’s a special occasion coming up you want to save it for. But will it still be safe to drink next month?
Here’s the good news—Mezcal and tequila never really expire if they’re unopened. That’s right; you can admire that beautiful bottle for months or years to come. If you have that kind of self-control, major props to you! Mezcal is a distilled spirit that doesnt age in the bottle like a wine does.
Wine is high in sugar, which allows the fermentation process to march on inside the bottle. This is because sugar acts as a source of energy that fuels the chemical reactions involved with aging. Mezcal is low in sugar and richer in alcohol content, effectively crashing the fermentation party.
If you ask us, the long-lasting shelf life is yet another reason to keep the stuff stocked in our pantry. You never know when you might need to bust out a bottle to celebrate a friend’s promotion or enjoy it on a casual night out on the patio. Ugh, is it 5 o’clock yet?
Use Your Eyes, Nose, and Mouth
Mezcal that’s been open for longer than a year will rarely make you sick, and if it does, the worst it will do is make you reach for some Tums. The real tragedy is the decline in flavor, smell, and appearance. Want to know when a bottle is past its prime? We’ve got you covered.
The first tip: have some freshly opened Mezcal on hand for comparison. That way, you can cross-examine flavors and aromas with the same level of precision that your favorite crime show detective might use. The old Mezcal will have a slightly altered taste, and it will lack the same intensity of flavor. It will lack a certain crispness, and you just won’t be vibing with the taste as much. The color might be a little off as well, so be sure to look out for that.
Does Alcohol Go Bad, Stale or Expire?
FAQ
Can bad tequila make you sick?
Can old opened tequila make you sick?
Does tequila get better with age?
Can tequila go bad in heat?
Can you drink expired Tequila?
This means that drinking expired tequila won’t cause you any harm or make you sick (unless you drink too much of course, but this doesn’t have anything to do with it being expired). Some people are more particular about the taste of their tequila than others.
Can Tequila go bad?
Because of the high alcohol content of this liquor, the odds of it going bad are minimal. Air, light, and temperature can affect the tequila’s quality. You should keep your tequila away from direct light like how others store hard liquor. Better to put it in a cool place to drink it while it’s of good quality.
How long do tequila bottles last?
Unopened bottles of tequila can last for years when kept in a cool, dark place, while opened ones should be consumed within six months but may still retain their taste for longer if sealed tightly. Signs that your tequila has gone bad include changes in color, unpleasant smell or taste, and debris in the bottle.
Does Tequila spoil?
Since it is obtained through distillation and contains a high percentage of alcohol, tequila will never spoil. If the bottle is factory sealed and not damaged, the taste of tequila should be the same after many years. The peak quality will not decline as there is no possibility of air getting inside the unopened bottle.