While cleaning your kitchen pantry, you come across a tonic water container that is sitting there for months, and you find yourself with a question, does tonic water go bad?
Well, maybe you weren’t cleaning, but this question is undoubtedly worth finding answers.
So what is tonic water?
An ingredient that makes cocktails mouth-watering or transforms a pure glass of water with lime into a refreshing lime treat, tonic water is an everyday household essential. But does passing time make it unsafe to drink?
So how long does tonic water last? Fortunately, like most carbonated drinks such as soda, tonic water can last for a long time.
But that depends on whether it is opened or not as the peak quality remains for a limited time in an opened tonic water bottle.
This article provides insights about the storage and shelf life of tonic water, and if you are looking for the same answers, reading on would be the right choice.
How Long Does Tonic Water Last? Does Tonic Water Go Bad?
Like every product, tonic water also has a best-by date, which lets you know how long you can expect before the quality weakens.
But most unopened bottles get past the best-by date by few months and still retain their bubbly quality.
To make things even better, there are claims by people that perfectly intact sealed bottles also last for years. That sounds so much encouraging if you do find an old tonic water bottle in your kitchen.
But once opened, the quality changes drastically, and more often, it will last for a day or two at room temperature.
Storing tonic water in the refrigerator sustains the flavor for a few days, which also ensures that the bubbly nature is still intact.
But with time, tonic water losses its bubbliness and becomes flat, which is not ideal, especially if you want to mix it with gin or grenadine.
The water is still safe to drink, but with all its potent quality loss, it would be best if you discard it.
The best place to store tonic water is in a dry and dark place and away from heat. Direct sunlight is also not healthy for your tonic water as it damages the quality.
And for an opened bottle, storing it in a fridge is the perfect option, as it retains its qualities and keeps it chilled.
How to Tell if Tonic Water Is Bad? Tonic Water Shelf Life!
One of the best qualities of tonic water is the fact that it never goes completely bad. Even if you find it flat and watery, it remains perfectly safe for drinking.
However, you must prevent contaminants from getting inside the bottle, which is not a healthy sign for you as well.
Our sense of smell is a great weapon and by using it, we can identify a bad tonic water bottle as well. If your tonic water is releasing an unpleasant odor, it would be best to discard it.
Then there are visual indications as well. Take a glass and pour some portion of your tonic water, and check if there is any discoloration. If you notice a yellowish tint, it is better to get a new pack of tonic water.
The final step is to taste the tonic water. At times, the water may not exhibit visual and odor indications, but if you find the taste to be flat, you may choose to discard it.
However, as we mentioned earlier, it is entirely safe in this condition even if it tastes flat.
Tonic water is an excellent substitute, even for distilled water. While an unopened bottle can last for years, you might want to consider the above information in improving your tonic water’s shelf life.
Does Tonic Water Go Bad? How Long Does Tonic Water Last?
Ingredients
- Tonic water
- 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).
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