When you buy vodka, you may be wondering how long you have to drink it before it goes bad. Knowing the expiration date of spirits can help you determine how long you can enjoy it.

Quick Answer

Vodka does not go rancid quickly. A bottle left unopened can last over 100 years without losing taste; if opened, vodka can last between 10-20 years without going bad. The vodka’s expiration date is exceptionally long due to the small number of vodka ingredients besides alcohol.

Determining your vodka’s expiration dates and environmental factors can help you make the most of your alcohol. Read on to determine the factors that can make vodka go bad.

Does Vodka Go Bad? How Long Does Vodka Last?

Vodka can last up to one hundred years, depending on the circumstances it is stored in—the environment. Depending on where it is stored, vodka’s expiration date differs.

How Long Does Vodka Last Outside?

If a bottle of vodka is left unopened, it can last for up to 100 years. If left at room temperature, an unopened bottle will last that long. The flavor and taste of the alcohol will dissipate slowly, but it will maintain its alcohol content.

Vodka can be stored at room temperature, but it is best stored in a cool dark place between 45 degrees and 65 degrees. This will ensure the alcohol is kept until you choose to open it.

Suppose you are storing vodka that is open at room temperature. The alcohol will slowly dissipate if left quickly dissipate, so keeping it in a low-temperature environment will help slow down the ruining process.

How Long Does Vodka Last in the Fridge?

Vodka should not be stored in the fridge for very long if you want to have chilled alcohol, store it for a couple of hours to help it become chilled before serving.

Since a fridge can be bright, you need to make sure that the bottle is wrapped in a dark cloth to ensure that the light does not get to the alcohol. The temperature will keep the drink from dissipating and losing taste, but the light can hurt it.

Storing vodka in the fridge for an extended period is unwise. Instead, only keep vodka for a short time in the refrigerator if you prefer it cold and ensure that the light does not get to it.

How Long Does Vodka Last in the Freezer?

Just like the fridge, Vodka should not be stored in the freezer for a long time. Vodka freezes at -16 degrees Fahrenheit and most freezers are around 0 degrees. This temperature will not freeze it but can cause the alcohol to dissipate.

If you store vodka in the freezer, it can mask the subtle notes’ vodka and cause it to become more bitter. The cold of the freezer masks the flavor that comes out when stored properly.

If the alcohol is frozen open, it can cause a more considerable dissipation of alcohol and flavor. If you want to make alcohol cold, you can use a cocktail shaker with ice or pour the vodka over ice.

Conclusion

If you wish to store vodka, it is best to keep the vodka in a pantry in a cold dark place. This will ensure your alcohol dissipates at a slower pace and maintains its good taste.

How To Tell If Vodka Has Gone Bad / How To Know Vodka is Fresh?

It can be challenging to tell if vodka has gone wrong because of its extended expiration date. There are ways to tell, but most of it relates to time.

 Time: Vodka can be stored for up to a possible 100 years. Suppose stored longer than that vodka will have a weaker taste and maybe no taste at all.

Odor: If vodka has a sour odor, it can mean it is bad. When vodka is good, it has a strong alcoholic odor, but it may smell sour if it has gone bad.

Proof: If your alcohol has sat for a long time, the proof may have lessened, and yeast and bacteria could have built up in the drink, making it go wrong.

Taste: If vodka has gone bad, it will lose its flavor or become sour. These can be easily detected if you taste the alcohol. This is the easiest way to know if alcohol has gone bad after a while.

How to Store Vodka?

Depending on if vodka is open, there are some ways to store it properly.

Un-Opened Bottle: If you have not opened your vodka, you should store it in a dark space out of direct sunlight. A liquor cabinet or pantry will be the best place to store the alcohol and keep it suitable for a more extended period.

Opened Bottle: An opened bottle of vodka should also be stored out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. This will help to limit the dissipation of the alcohol. If there is a lot of air left in the bottle, it should be stored in a smaller bottle with a smaller volume helping the taste stay fresh.

Can You Freeze Vodka? How?

Freezing vodka requires special equipment. Each of these steps will help you to freeze it.

Prepare the bottle: Make sure the bottle’s lid is tightly secured on the bottle. It is best to keep the bottle’s original lid instead of a pour lid to keep the alcohol’s fresh.

Freezer: To freeze vodka, the temperature of the freezer needs to be around -16 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need an industrial freezer that can keep the temperature constant.

Place the Vodka: Place the vodka straight up and down not to leak or dissipate faster. The vodka will stay frozen if kept at that temperature, and the temperature will not destroy the bottle.

Freeze the Vodka: Once the alcohol is stored, it can be frozen. The drink can be frozen for an extended period; it is just essential to check the flavor because freezing the alcohol can limit the taste of the alcohol.

How to Thaw Vodka?

Thawing vodka is quite simple in comparison to the freezing temperatures.

Room-Temperature: Place vodka on the counter, and it will thaw to the right temperature. This process can be quick due to the rapid temperature change. But the flavor may have become diluted due to the water.

In the Refrigerator: If you still want the vodka to be cold, you can store it in the refrigerator and allow it to thaw. The vodka will remain cold but also become liquidy if the condensation has built up in the bottle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Vodka’s Shelf Life

Vodka’s shelf life can be a long one depending on how it is stored. It can become confusing and challenging to understand vodka’s shelf life, and there are a few questions you may have.

Can you get sick from drinking expired vodka? If you have expired vodka, it will not make you sick if you drink it. Vodka may taste less intense and can have a lower alcohol proof, but it will not make you sick.

What can you do with leftover vodka? If you have leftover vodka that you will not drink, you can use it in cooking. The vodka will add flavor to the dish buy the high alcohol content will burn off. Vodka is typically used in sweet deserts due to the added candied aspect that alcohol brings to a dish.

Wrap Up

Knowing the requirements needed to keep vodka good can help you have fresh and tasty vodka for years to come. Now that you know the benefits of vodka and how to keep it healthy, it can help you serve up delicious vodka drinks for years to come.