A lot of people were asking if tequila can go bad and if you’re one of them then this is post is for you.
It is normal to ask yourself this question especially if the bottle of tequila has been sitting in your cupboard or cabinet for months or years.
Does tequila go bad? If you’re interested to find out the answer then keep on reading.
Aside from answering this question, we will also include other important things that you need to know.
Here, you will also learn how to store this liquor properly, how to determine if your tequila has gone bad, as well as its shelf life.
How to Store Tequila Properly?
Since tequilas are distilled spirits, you can also store the same manner you keep other liquors such as whiskey, vodka, as well as rum.
This distilled spirit must be kept away from sunlight and other sources of heat. It means you need it to store it in a dry area that is moderately cool.
With this mind, your pantry looks like the best place to store your tequila.
However, if you don’t have any plan of opening your bottle of tequila within the next few months or weeks, you can keep it in the cellar, but if you don’t have one you can store it in your pantry as well.
After opening, make sure that the bottle is sealed tightly especially when you’re not using it. What’s more, do not store it without the cap or with a pourer.
In fact, a bottle that is sealed tightly guarantees two things:
1. If the bottle is open without its cap, your tequila will evaporate more rapidly compared when it is sealed. Since alcohol will evaporate much faster than water, your bottle of tequila will become milder little by little.
2. Impurities will not be able to find any way into the bottle.
One more thing, when you are storing a less than a half-full bottle of tequila and you will not drink the remaining within a few weeks, make sure to pour it in a smaller bottle.
Because more air inside the bottle is equivalent to faster oxidation as well as evaporation which will cause the tequila’s quality to get worse slowly.
Does Tequila Go Bad? How Long Does Tequila Last?
Unlike wines, tequila does not age after it is removed from the containers and bottled.
Meaning to say, storing this distilled spirit will not make it taste better and more valuable. Once it is placed in the bottle, it stays the same as in the period it was bottled.
In regard to the shelf life of tequila (opened and unopened), basically, it is unspecified as long as the seal is not conceded.
On the other hand, if you keep an unopened tequila in your pantry for a couple of years now, you may be almost certain that it is still fine now as well as it must be of good quality.
After opening the bottle for the very first time, it is highly recommended that you drink it within a couple of months when the quality is at its best.
Keeping an opened bottle of tequila for one to two years may not be a good idea, because as what we have mentioned a while ago the liquor’s quality will deteriorate slowly as the time passes by after opening it. As a matter of fact, you may dislike its taste and you’ll be forced to throw it.
Even so, since this liquor isn’t made using pure alcohol and is distilled, then it’s likely that tequila will go and can bad eventually.
But if you take simple procedures and steps to prevent this from happening, your tequila will not go bad for several years and you will prolong its shelf life.
However, if you do something that shouldn’t be done like improper storage, your tequila tastes bad sooner or later.
How to Tell if Tequila Is Bad? Tequila Shelf Life!
As mentioned above, it’s quite rare for this distilled spirit to go bad. On the other hand, the moment it goes bad, it will be easier to identify.
In fact, it’s possible that you will notice discoloration that makes the liquid looks like murky. What’s more, there will be obvious changes in the taste as well as the flavor of the tequila.
But aside from that, oxidation is another thing which may possibly take place when it has gone bad. In fact, this usually happens when the cap is not tightly sealed.
Air, on the other hand, will penetrate and it’ll result in losing both the aroma and flavor which is unique to tequila. As a result, it will taste bland.
Another apparent problem could be evaporation. When this drink fades away alcohol will be gone first.
Meaning to say, when it comes to the alcohol content, your tequila will end up being feebler.
Bear in mind that when the alcohol content is low, another problem will take place – your tequila will become more susceptible to bacterial development and as a result, it is more prone to spoilage.
Does Tequila Go Bad? How Long Does Tequila Last?
Ingredients
- Tequila
- Air-tight containers
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).