As mentioned, the chances of gin going bad are pretty slim. Spirits are completely shelf stable. After months or years, almost any distilled spirit in an opened bottle can lose some of its character, "punch," or flavor. Bear in mind that gin is not like some wine in that the taste does not improve with age. As I mentioned already a few times, whiskey doesn’t really go bad. Read on to learn how to get the most out of your favorite bottle. But, you’re not quite sure if gin can go bad. Sloe Gin is the new winter warmer you need to know about. Next to that, if gin smells or tastes different, it’s better to get a new bottle. Alisa eats her way around the world on her travels and likes to have good food ready and waiting for her when she gets back. The shelf life of an unopened bottle of gin can last several years—and possibly longer! General symptoms of vermouth going bad are pretty much similar to other kinds of wines. What must indeed be considered is that vodka will evaporate with time and become less strong but that doesn’t mean it’s spoiled. Related:Does Rum Go Bad?Does Tequila Go Bad?Does Vodka Go Bad? Unlike wine though, it won’t improve over time. Once opened, the oxidation process begins, meaning the taste will degrade over time. As long as they remain unopened and don't have any interaction with oxygen, he says they will … Fortunately, vodka is a hard liquor that underwent a distilling process. It does not spoil unless it is improperly stored. Vodka is known for its neutral taste and flavor. Plus, you can even keep it in the freezer if you have space. If you only have a little amount left in the bottle, finish it off immediately (in moderation, of course). Warm gin does not taste good, so it’s best to ensure you have ice cubes at the ready if you know you’ll be drinking gin soon. If it smells strange, your best bet is to pour it away. After opening, try to finish it off within a year to enjoy the best flavor. Does gin ever go bad? When it comes to an opened bottle, always make sure the lid is screwed tight shut and, like with an unopened bottle, is kept in a cool, dark place. Although the chance is minimal, it’s always worth spending extra minutes to give your old gin a thorough check before mixing yourself gin and tonic. How long does ginger last? Well, if stored correctly, your bottle will be safe to drink for many years. Protect it from heat and light. Let us assure you that there is no need for fuss. As long as the seal or bottle hasn’t broken so it becomes exposed to air, your gin will taste just fine when you do open it. Fading color and sediments are a regular occurrence and harmless. If gin is not stored properly, it will not retain its peak quality. Place the bottles upright. The recommended amount of time to keep rum once opened is 3 to 6 months. In other words, the colder the gin is, the better the flavor. So the type of alcohol will determine whether or not it will go bad overtime once it has been opened. The natural color fades away as time goes by, mainly due to the oxidation process. Its taste and aroma will, however, deteriorate if the improper storage took place. This table is a general estimate, while the actual shelf life largely depends on the storage conditions. Gin served cold is refreshing – the texture is much silkier, and the general experience is more pleasant. Want a tip to help you slow down the oxidation process? If kept sealed, a bottle of gin can last indefinitely if stored out of direct sunlight in non-extreme temperatures. 2. However, that doesn’t mean you should keep your gin indefinitely – especially if it’s open already. Below, you’ll find a full guide on how best to keep your gin. 4. Due to the high alcohol content, gin’s shelf life is basically indefinite. The Juniper used to give gin its scent and distinctive taste will probably disappear over time. Some manufacturers suggest to finish off a bottle within a year after opening. But life happens, so if the bottle is leaky, the cork heavily damaged or moldy, just discard the alcohol.Same thing if it has developed an odd or funny smell.Please note that chances of either one of these happening are slim to none. Related: Does Rum Go Bad? Thus, as proper storage is essential when it comes to storing liquor, it’s more of a ‘How long do you want your gin to last?’ rather than ‘How long does your gin bottle last?’. But alcohol can go bad, in that it can start to taste like the devil. Your pantry, cupboard, or liquor cabinet should do the job. After opening, the air is introduced into the container. Improper storage may cause oxidation and evaporation, consequently, deteriorate these unique characteristics. Does Gin Go Bad? However, if your gin freezes, it must have a lower proof and higher water content. If gin smells and tastes different, or contaminants are evident, it’s better to get a new bottle. Despite its long shelf life, you don’t need to wait to drink it. This liquor is produced worldwide and should comply with country regulations. Loss of flavor. Always close the lid tightly. For example: The main thing you need to avoid when drinking gin is serving it at room temperature. It is most likely to go bad if kept in a place too warm, the seal has broken, or it has oxidized. Similarly, gin can last for many years retaining its peak quality. If you have a half-drunk bottle, pour the gin into a smaller bottle to decrease oxidation by leaving it less exposed to air. Q: True or False? That being said, gin should be stored in the right conditions. Like any alcoholic beverage, Campari can’t basically go bad and become harmful to your health. The storage of gin is similar to other liquors, such as rum, tequila, or vodka. In simple words, gin doesn’t really go bad. Gin is a popular base liquor and essential for a home bar. If you haven't opened your bottle of spirits—whether it be gin, vodka, whiskey—Colin Spoelman, co-founder and master distiller of Brooklyn distillery Kings County Distillery, says that it will never go bad. Raw plant root, like most other fresh vegetables does not have a sell by date, use by date, or best before date so you have to go with purchase date. It’s a valid question whenever we find old forgotten items in our kitchen. The quality, however, starts degrading once opened. These two provoke evaporation and oxidation that consequently degrade the flavor and taste. Would it be ok to drink? Does rum go bad? In short, you’ll be pleased to hear that, thankfully, gin has a long shelf life and rarely goes off. Almost half of it is alcohol, which means it’s pretty much impossible for it to go bad. If the bottle has a lid, ensure it is sealed tight to keep any gin from evaporating or being exposed to air. As you’ve probably known, the alcohol content is strong enough to make it shelf-stable and prevent bacterial growth. A thing to always keep in mind is that the liquor with the higher alcohol content will have a longer shelf life because it doesn’t have a lot of other ingredients that will cause it to go bad such as grapes, sugar, hops and cream. But, these two are different products. Excess air causes alcohol to evaporate. basically, it doesn’t. Bailey’s goes bad, unlike some other drinks you may have in your cupboard, because of the cream in it, despite its mixing with alcohol it can still go bad, … A kitchen cupboard, pantry, or liquor cabinet is among the most popular choices. Some regular occurrences look suspicious, but not necessarily harmful. Meanwhile, gin has a distinct character from the infusion of juniper berries and other botanicals. So long as the bottle or seal isn’t broken, i.e. Since gin is frequently stored in fancy bottles, you might be wondering whether gin goes off. In the UK, gin is bottled at a minimum of 37.5% alcohol by volume, while in the US, it has to be at least 40% ABV to qualify as distilled spirits. That means that gin has a lot more to lose when it comes to flavor degradation. Scroll up if you missed any of that! 1. Gin doesn’t get better with age, either. Unlike vodka that’s known for its flavorless and tasteless characteristics, the addition of botanicals and berries in gin makes the changes in flavor and taste more pronounced. As with other base liquors (such as vodka and whiskey), gin doesn’t really go bad in a typical sense of food spoilage. Sloe Gin, like most alcohol products, don't really go "bad" as the alcohol kills the bacteria that could cause "badness". Gin’s flavor is mainly characterized by juniper berries. How long does unopened gin last? This is highly recommended for bottles sealed with natural corks. On the contrary, the quality drops with improper storage. Or gin? You need to make sure before indulging yourself with classic gin and tonic. Oxidation and evaporation start to occur; subsequently, the color, flavor, and taste might change. Go Bad Or Not © 2021. After all, it’s the juniper that makes gin, a gin. What is Sloe Gin? This way, you minimize the risk of having a subpar taste. If your go-to drink is a sloe gin fizz, well, you may be in for a surprise. With proper storage, gin can last for years. If you use a pourer, make sure to take it off before putting the bottle back to storage. So, it’s pointless to wait for years to make yourself gin and tonic. Does Vodka Go Bad After Opening? The evaporation from earlier will occur at a faster rate if a bottle of vodka has been opened, but it will not happen in just a year or two. When it comes to opened bottles, the story is a little different. Some popular types of gin are London dry gin, Genever, Old Tom, and Plymouth gin. Otherwise, it’s best to transfer it into a smaller container. Gin is characterized by clear liquid and distinct flavor from the addition of herbs and botanicals. My parents have an open bottle of bailey's irish cream in the fridge that has been there four or five months because they didn't like it. Gin doesn’t really go bad in terms of typical food spoilage, thanks to the high alcohol content. If the beverage looks or tastes funny, it's probably best to throw it out. If you have bought a high-quality gin and left it in an alcohol cabinet unopened for years, it will be fine. To get the most out of your drinking experience, store it in a cold, dark place like your refrigerator. Since gin is frequently stored in fancy bottles, you might be wondering whether gin goes off. After a year, although it won’t have gone bad, the taste will have changed — and certainly not for the better. We address all those essential details in this article. Like other hard liquors, vodka has a long shelf life. Long term storage can damage the cork if the bottle is placed on its side. After a decade or so, vodka will slowly loose its flavor possibly making it taste terrible. Unopened gin has a shelf life of several years - or even longer. In fact, it is nearly impossible to make this drink turn bad not saying about spoiling. Scotch, just like gin, triple sec, or every other high proof alcohol, has an almost indefinite shelf life. Will it go off if I don’t open it? On the contrary, it may degrade if you don’t take good care of it. No worries, this is totally normal. The color fades away. Rum is a lot like whiskey when it comes to the oxidation process. Check the tips below to ensure your gin tastes as lovely until the last drop: 1. I was originally just a Scotch drinker but now also absolutely love American whiskey too. Technically, it’s not really a Gin, it’s a Liqueur.That’s because there are stringent rules about what can and can’t be classified as Gin (if you wanna geek-out about different types of Gin, have a read of this). Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability. If you let it happen, you’ll end up with a tasteless gin. One day, you find a seemingly old bottle in the cupboard. Acidic smell and taste. Made primarily from juniper berries, and usually mixed with tonic water, gin is one of the most popular spirits and is often used as a component in cocktails. Transfer into a smaller bottle. If you see impurities or contaminants in the bottle, maybe you let it open long enough to allow them to enter the bottle. Lastly, add the tonic water and a fresh lime segment—or slice of cucumber—and your ice-cold gin is ready for consumption! What you might see is declining quality, while the chance of going bad is very slim. You won’t be at risk of having to deal with an exploded bottle because, due to its high alcohol volume level—usually at least 37.5%—gin will not turn to ice when frozen. It won't go bad, but it can lose its scent. Read on! Keep at room temperature or a little cooler. However, like beer, certain liquors can "go bad." Here's a super simple guide. Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Now, let’s talk about the worst scenario. The high alcohol content acts as a natural preservative. When the alcohol evaporates and drops down to very low, bacteria might be able to survive. Gin does not freeze because it has an alcohol by volume of 37.5% so keeping it in the freezer is not a problem. Gin, however, is prone to changing its taste depending on how you store it … It’s true that distilled spirits like vodka, gin, whiskey, rum and tequila don’t ever go bad, at least not in a way that they would spoil or make you sick. Choosing to drink gin every night, as opposed to other drinks like whiskey, doesn't sound so bad, does it? Keep gin at a cool, dry, dark place, away from heat and sunlight. If the taste is a bit inferior, it’s best to use it for a mixed drink or cocktails and take advantage of other ingredients to mask the gin’s taste. The worst that can have happened is that you’ve lost some flavour nuance, intensity or alcoholic strength, so it might taste a bit different from a freshly-opened bottle. Does Bailey's go bad? That being said, gin should be stored in the right conditions. You want to avoid this as corked gin will not taste pleasant! If you’re pleased, feel free to serve it. That means, don’t store gin anywhere near a window, above your fridge, or next to a microwave. But we are not sure that how much we can keep it once the bottle is opened. Also, if you see any particles floating around the liquid, this means it most likely has gone off. Does vodka expire? It is natural to ensure that you won’t risk your health by consuming such old stuff. Remember that gin is not meant to age at your home. Your unopened bottle of scotch that's been on the shelf for 20 years will taste the same as it would have the day it was bottled. Does unopened liquor go bad? Of course, it stays drinkable after a year, but it won’t taste as nice as a freshly opened bottle. Gin doesn’t go off and it’s still going to be absolutely safe to drink (in moderation, obviously). Gin doesn’t really go bad in terms of typical food spoilage, thanks to the high alcohol content. Let’s figure this out. Fading color. 5. 2. But, it remains safe after it. Gin is distilled spirits mixed or flavored with juniper berries and other aromatics. Unlike wine, which can sometimes develop an off taste during storage, or rapidly go downhill once it’s been opened, liquor will keep indefinitely.A: Well, yes and no. If you don’t have room in your fridge or freezer and want to display that fancy bottle your gin is being kept in, you can store it elsewhere so long as it is placed in a cool, dark cupboard or shelf out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. An unopened bottle will taste the same now and a few years later. And for an opened bottle, its shelf life is shorter, like the dairy-based alcohol Bailey Irish Cream, about 2 years. Does gin go bad or not? You might wonder, does vodka go bad? Keep gin at a cool, dry, dark place, away from heat and sunlight. It’s not like that ancient bottle of vodka, or gin in your cupboard, because there is dairy in it, it will spoil with age. There's a really simple answer to this question but it all depends on different variables. Does this mean gin has gone bad? How To Tell If Whiskey Is Bad. Once you add ingredients to alcohol, it can go bad.