How long does alcohol last once opened?

[maslex]

I know, I know...many people are like WHAT!?!?! What do you mean, how long does it last? Once it's opened, it's gone!!!

We're not big drinkers but we received 3 full bottles of alcohol from our latest cruise that we took in August. Two bottles of Kahlua and one bottle of Bacardi Rum.

I do like Kahula & milk once in a blue moon, so I did open one of those bottles and had a couple glasses. And my MIL had some long term company and I let them open the rum. It's only about 1/4 of the way gone (if that).

Just wondering how long it lasts for or should I put it in the fridge, freezer, counter? Anyone know?

 

[NHdisneylover]

The rum will basically last forever. It may lose a little of the falvour after a couple of years, but it shouldn't spoil or anything like that.

Just store it at room temperature, or a bit cooler (like in a basement).

Kahlua will last 3 or 4 years and should be stored the same way as the rum. If it has crystallized sugar, etc in the bottle when you go to drink it, then it is best to just skip it (but I am still pretty sure that would not be dangerous to drink).

 

[aprilgail2]

Base Liquors:
The base liquors (brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka and whiskey) are typically the most stable distilled spirits and can be stored for a long time. Unopened, these bottles have an indefinite shelf life but once opened they may begin to lose certain flavor qualities over the years.

Liqueurs and Cordials:
The shelf lives of liqueurs are more temperamental than the base spirits because they contain sugar and other ingredients which can spoil, some more than others. Most opened (and well sealed) liqueurs should last for months and even years depending on their alcohol content and preservatives. Again, opened bottles are likely to lose some of their characteristics due to exposure to air. Once you begin to see any sugar crystallizing on the bottom, discoloration, curdling or other changes you will want to throw that bottle away or at least give it a taste test before mixing with it.

Cream liqueurs, those that contain dairy, cream or egg, are a different story and should be discarded after 18 months or so. Liqueurs like Bailey's Irish Cream, Advocaat and Amarula should be consumed within a year of opening, although some of their cheaper creamy cousins will deteriorate faster. Even in unopened bottles, these liqueurs will spoil and be undrinkable after a year and a half or more. Some of these touchier liqueurs will include an expiration date on the bottle as well. It is unnecessary to refrigerate cream liqueurs, but it can't hurt either.


Fortified Wines:
Vermouths and other fortified wines have a much longer opened shelf life than regular wines. Typically, vermouth can be stored in an open bottle for at least a few months, although they can become musty and lose some flavor if stored for too long. Some people prefer to store vermouth in the refrigerator while others say that is unnecessary. I've done both and have not seen much of a difference.

Mixers:
Follow the recommended expiration date on the labels of all juices, bottled mixers (ie. Margarita or Bloody Mary mixes) and similar mixers. Usually it is best to refrigerate these after opening.

Club soda, ginger ale and tonic water should be consumed when they're opened or shortly after. If there's no fizz when you open a bottle of soda there's no point in adding it to a drink. If you find yourself wasting a lot of soda when making only a few drinks, buy the miniature bottles which typically come in packs

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Try the Kahlua in chocolate shakes

 

[NotUrsula]

Like a PP said, base spirits (what most people call "hard liquor") essentially last forever if not adulterated. I've got bottles in my liquor cabinet that are older than my son, and he's graduating high school this year.

Kahlua I wouldn't keep for more than a season, but you should be able to add it to holiday treats and use it up that way. There are definitely a few good ones in the Southern Living archive, including a pumpkin-kahlua version for Halloween.

 

[LBIJim]

I have Seagrams VO where the words "4/5 Quart" are in raised lettering on the bottle. I'm pretty sure liquor manufacturers switched to metric measurements by 1980 or so. Every few years I take a sip and it still tastes the same (nasty) as it did way back when.

Like others have stated, I'd dump opened cordials and liqueurs after a year.

About 20 years ago I won a wheelbarrow of cheer at a charity raffle. The liquor was easily worth $500 or more, but when I went to collect, I found out that the prize DIDN'T include the wheelbarrow. That's why I bought the raffle ticket!! It was an awesome wheelbarrow!!

 

[denisem]

If you Google "kahlua baking recipes", there are a ton of dessert recipes out there (cake, pie, cookies).

 

[minnie mum]

Add a shot of Kahlua to your after dinner coffee. That will put a glow on your evening!

 

[tvguy]

I was given a 12 year old bottle of Whiskey 34 years ago, still have some left. I don't drink Whiskey, but it a handy substitute for Nyquil when I have a cold.

 

[indygirl99]

So the bottle of Vermouth I used about a fourth cup from some 3 or 4 years ago for a recipe that is still sitting on the top of the refrigerator should probably be tossed.

We so rarely drink around here. The occasional bottle of wine never gets finished either.