Your Cinco de Mayo party was a great hit last year, but you’re realizing now that you overbought margarita mix and you’re wondering if the leftover bottles from last year are still good.  Let’s find out.

Quick Answer

Bottled margarita mix can either come with alcohol already included or not.  Regardless of the version you have, margarita mix should be stored in a cool, dark place, such as a liquor cabinet or pantry, and is best consumed a year or two past the best-by date stamped on the bottle.  Once opened, margarita mix should be refrigerated and is good for six to eight weeks.  Margarita mix doesn’t usually go bad, but its taste does start to diminish over time and if that happens, a fresh bottle will be best.

Margarita mix can be added to sweet and savory dishes to give that unmistakable margarita flavor.  Knowing how best to store your margarita mix will ensure yours is good when you’re ready to use it.

Does Margarita Mix Go Bad? How Long Does Margarita Mix Last?

Margarita mix lasts for quite a while on your pantry shelf and is fine to keep unopened from party to party.  Once you open it, though, you need to use it within the next few months.

How Long Does Margarita Mix Last Outside?

Unopened margarita mix, with alcohol or without, is best stored on your pantry or liquor cabinet shelf out of the light and away from any temperature fluctuations.

Margarita mix will have a best-by date stamped on the bottle.  Your unopened margarita mix should be good one to two years after that date and maybe even longer.

Once you open your margarita mix, the bottle should be tightly sealed and refrigerated.  If in doubt as to whether or not your margarita mix is still good, you should always taste it.  Tasting is also a good tip before planning to use it for a party.

How Long Does Margarita Mix Last in the Fridge?

Margarita mix, once opened, should be tightly sealed and refrigerated.  Once refrigerated, your mix will be good for an additional six to eight weeks and possibly longer.

If your margarita mix has been refrigerated for a while you should taste it before sharing it with friends.  This is a great way to ensure you’re only giving your friends the freshest margarita mix and therefore the best margarita.

Once the mix has been refrigerated for too long the flavor of the mix will begin to change and the sharpness of the taste will start to diminish. If this is the case you should discard the bottle you have and find a fresh one.

How Long Does Margarita Mix Last in the Freezer?

Pre-packaged margarita mix, either alcoholic or non-alcoholic, can be frozen, but freezing it will not keep it fresher longer.  The alcoholic mix will not freeze solid due to the alcohol.

If you are freezing your margarita mix you may want to consider transferring it to a freezer-friendly container if your mix came in a glass bottle, for example.  Be sure to tightly seal the new container.

Fresh, homemade margarita mix can be frozen and usually is with very good results.  Just be sure to remove as much air as possible and seal the container so the mix doesn’t pick up other odors from your freezer.

Unopened pre-packaged margarita mix, either with or without alcohol, should be stored in a cool, dark place.  Once opened, store any remaining margarita mix in a tightly sealed bottle or equivalent container and refrigerate it.

How To Tell If Margarita Mix Has Gone Bad / How To Know if Margarita Mix is Fresh?

When you’re starting to wonder if your margarita mix may have gone bad, there are a few things to look for to help you be sure.

The smell test:  As with most foods and drinks, your nose often knows best.  Give your margarita mix a good whiff and if you think the smell is “off” or it just doesn’t smell like margarita mix should, then it has probably either gotten too old or has spoiled and should be replaced.

Change in color:  If the color of your margarita mix has changed, that is a telltale sign that your margarita mix needs to be replaced.

Particles afloat:  Margarita mix very rarely spoils, but if it does it is often because something got in the bottle and contaminated it.  In that case, you will likely find particles floating in your bottle of margarita mix.  Spoiled margarita mix should be replaced.

Taste test:  If in doubt, you should taste your margarita mix.  If you find that it looks okay and smells okay, then the final step should be whether it tastes okay.  If all questions are answered with a yes, then your margarita mix is good and ready for salt and a glass.

How to Store Margarita Mix? 100+ words

Unopened pre-packaged margarita mix is best stored in a cool, dark place like a liquor cabinet or a pantry.  How you store your mix will determine how long it stays good.

Away from heat:  Exposing your margarita mix to changes in temperature will cause the flavor of your margarita mix to diminish more quickly.

Away from light:  As with heat, you want to keep your margarita mix away from sunlight as well.  A cool, dark place is best for storage.

Tightly seal after opening:  Once opened you will want to tightly re-seal the top to keep all other odors away from your margarita mix.

Refrigerate:  Once opened you will want to refrigerate your margarita mix.  This will keep your mix good for another six to eight weeks.

Can You Freeze Margarita Mix? How?

Pre-packaged margarita mix, with alcohol or without, can be frozen, but freezing doesn’t extend the shelf-life of your mix so it may not be worthwhile.

If freeze, transfer:  If you do decide to freeze your margarita mix you may want to transfer it to a freezer-friendly container especially if it came in a glass or plastic bottle. Be sure to remove as much air as possible from the container before freezing and be sure to seal the container tightly.  This will keep moisture found in the freezer away from your margarita mix.

Alcoholic mix won’t freeze:  If your margarita mix contains alcohol be mindful that it won’t freeze solid.  This isn’t necessarily a problem, but it’s always good to know what to expect.

Store in the middle of the freezer:  If you’re freezing your margarita mix you will want to store it in the middle of your freezer away from the temperature fluctuations of the freezer door.

How to Thaw Margarita Mix?

Margarita mix that has been frozen should be thawed slowly.  This can easily be done by transferring your frozen margarita mix to the refrigerator overnight.

Once thawed you shouldn’t refreeze margarita mix.  The flavor can be compromised during the re-freeze and this will likely not result in an ideal tasting margarita mix.

Frequently Asked Questions About Margarita Mix’s Shelf Life

Does margarita mix last longer if it contains alcohol?  Alcoholic margarita mix might last longer than margarita mix without alcohol, but you should always check it out before sharing it with your party guests.  Be sure to smell your margarita mix to ensure it smells like it should.  The flavor is the deciding factor, however, so if you have any doubts taste it.  If it tastes fine, it is fine.

My margarita mix changed colors, it is still good?  If the color of your margarita mix has changed then it is likely either too old or it has spoiled. In this case, you should throw away your margarita mix and get a fresh, new bottle.  Fresh margarita mix will not change colors.

Wrap Up

Margarita mix can last a long time stored on your pantry or liquor cabinet shelf.  Once opened, be sure to refrigerate your mix so it will stay fresh.  Tells us in the comments below how long your margarita mix stays fresh.