The shelf life of the half-finished bottles in your cupboard depends completely on the alcohol percentage, ingredients, and drink type. So, whatever leftover bottles you have sitting there, check in with us for how long each one will keep for because you may just be surprised!
General guidance for storing alcohol
Different drinks obviously vary in how long they last, but there are some general tips to follow.
Overall, drinks tend to be safe to drink as time goes on but gradually lose flavour. This will vary from bottle to bottle though, so just keep your nose peeled (if that’s a phrase) and see for yourself if the drink is still enjoyable. If there’s a considerable colour change, a strange smell or curdling then its drinking days are behind it!
Bottles are best kept upright and tightly sealed to minimise contact with air and should always avoid direct light and heat. If you want to be even more organised, it’s a good idea to write the opening date somewhere so you can check before revisiting. Also, smaller amounts of leftover liquid suffer at an exponential rate. Basically, decanting into smaller bottles will help any drink last longer and if there’s only a little left in the bottle, you’ve got less time to finish it before it deteriorates! The fuller the bottle the fuller the flavour!
How long does Gin last?
Pretty much, unless you leave an open bottle of gin in direct sunlight or right by a radiator, the higher-proof bottles have an indefinite shelf life once you open them.
Still though, the taste will gradually change as it reacts with oxygen in the air, and the botanicals will alter and diminish in intensity. You’ll notice this more if you have only a little gin left in the bottle, so try and finish off ‘the dregs’ ASAP. If stored properly, you shouldn’t notice a big drop off in quality if you finish them 1-2 years after opening.
In terms of flavoured gins, natural ingredients and sugars will be involved and they deteriorate at a faster rate so keep them refrigerated and aim to finish them within six months.
How long does Vodka last?
When it comes to preserving itself after opening, vodka is a hardy spirit. The taste is so mild with plain vodkas that there won’t be significant flavour loss, and it lasts for decades.
As with the gin however, as time goes on, the subtleties of the notes may suffer so if it’s a premium spirit, you’ll want to finish it within a few years from opening (although if it was that good in the first place that shouldn’t be a problem!).
Storing vodka in the freezer is probably the best way to preserve it, and because of the alcohol in it, it won’t actually freeze. Domestic freezers are too warm to freeze vodka and will actually create a more viscous texture which some people love.
Similar to gin, flavoured vodkas with those extra sugars have shorter shelf lives and the flavour will fade noticeably faster, so finish them within 18 months.
How long does Tequila last?
You can treat tequila in the same way as other distilled spirits. If it’s stored in sensible conditions then you’ve got a long time to finish the bottle. The flavours are likely to be stronger than that of a vodka, so you’ll still want to finish it within a couple of years, but it will take an awfully long time for any noticeable decrease in quality to appear.
How long does Baileys last?
Creamy liqueurs like Baileys and Advocaat are the subject of more debate than most drinks when it comes to how long they last, but they’re more resilient than you might think.
Baileys contains milk and a decent helping of sugar too, so the flavour will deteriorate much faster than a high-proof pure spirit. But according to Baileys official guidance, it lasts 2 years from the day of bottling if stored at a reasonable temperature. So we’d recommend finishing it within a year of getting it to enjoy optimum quality.
Something like Advocaat with eggs as well as milk involved will hold up worse and should be finished within 6 months of opening.
It’s not essential to store cream liqueurs like Baileys the fridge if you haven’t got any room, but it’s preferable. However, the most important thing is to avoid higher temperatures and sunlight so anywhere cool and dark will do the job.
If you know it’s been a while since you opened it then check for curdling before you swig and always resort to the use-by date brands print on bottle.
How long does Vermouth last?
Vermouths like Martini are fortified wines that oxidise quickly so once opened, store in the fridge and drink within a maximum of three months but ideally finish it within the first month.
After that point, there will be no harmful effects to you, but the taste will be pretty nasty. There’s no point ruining a cracking cocktail by adding a splash of fusty vermouth at the end!
Unopened vermouth is a very different story however and should be fine for up to two years as long as it’s kept in a cool temperature. Vermouth doesn’t age well so don’t think it’s getting better and better by letting it sit there.
How long does Rum last?
The pirate’s favourite is one of the most indestructible spirits. Even once opened, it’s perfectly safe sat in a cool, dark area for decades.
As with other high-proof spirits though, the more oxygen that reacts with the liquid the slighter changes that will happen over time so there’s nothing to gain by leaving it this long.
Aim to polish it off before 2 years to guarantee full aroma and taste, but really there’s no rush.
How long does Malibu last?
You’ve probably guessed by now but rum liqueurs such as Malibu have a shorter shelf life, from six months to two years, as the flavour fades over time.
It isn’t essential but you should try to keep this in the fridge and keep an eye out for mould forming if it’s been a while.
How long does Port last?
Both Ruby and LBV (Late Bottled Vintage) port and pretty much all forms of fortified wine stay drinkable for up to two weeks after opening, but it’s a race against time from the minute it’s open and it wouldn’t be unusual to notice a drop off in quality after only a couple of days.
Tawny ports generally last longer (up to two months) while vintage ones should be supped within a couple of days. It’s best to pop it in the fridge to optimise longevity, but if it’s getting towards the three-month mark then you’ll almost certainly sense a vinegary taste.
How long does Whisky & Brandy last?
Unopened bottles of whisky and brandy last indefinitely if sealed properly and kept in a cool, dark place. Unlike wine, its maturing stops once bottled so you won’t notice more flavour but at the same time, it won’t degrade.
Once opened, they remain hardy because of the high alcohol percentage but the nuances in aroma and flavour may change and gradually fade after two years, though it’s completely safe to drink way beyond that point.
How long does White Wine last?
Wine is probably the most talked about drink in terms of the question, ‘how long does it last?’
A lot of that is because opinion differs so follow your nose! Generally though, white is at its absolute best from the moment it’s open and you should aim to finish it within 24 hours. Until two days after opening, it’s unlikely that you’ll notice much difference and even after one week, it should be fine to enjoy.
Storing the bottle in the fridge is best practice, ideally with its original stopper. It’s worth mentioning that although the acerbic taste will develop as time goes on, it’s not dangerous to drink in anyway.
Unopened bottles of white are generally best drunk within a year of purchase but vary from bottle to bottle. Even if the wine is 1 or 2 years beyond the printed expiration date, it’s well worth the sniff test because it’s probably still fine to sip on if it’s been stored sensibly!
If you’ve got some leftover wine that you think is beyond saving, then there’s lots you can do with it still! Our article here goes through those possibilities, and includes some basic preservation tips too!
How long does Red Wine last?
Generally speaking, there is little difference between how long white and red wines last compared to one another. Red wine oxidises at a slightly slower rate than white, but many prefer how white holds up in the days after opening so it’s down to personal preference.
Both should be refrigerated and tightly sealed, and you’ll find that most bottles of red are good for at least a couple of days but should be finished within 24 hours for the ultimate experience.
In terms of unopened bottles, most mass-produced reds are best drunk within five years but some can improve over time if stored in a dark, dry, cool spot. Many wines simply don’t have the structure for good aging, and most are best enjoyed shortly after buying.
How long does Sparkling Wine last?
Bottles of opened fizz last for up to three days if they’re sealed with a stopper in the fridge but once the cork pressure disappears, the fizz will very sadly fade away, although the flavour should be okay for a while longer.
Traditional method fizz like Champagne and Cava stay bubbly for longer than sparklers like Prosecco which can go flat within the day. Unfortunately, the whole ‘putting a spoon in the open bottle’ to keep the fizz is a myth, although some people swear by it so who knows!
Non-vintage fizz should still be cracked open within 3-4 years because even sealed, the flavour and effervescence will begin to falter.
If you think you’ve missed the boat with your wines and that they’ve turned the corner, or you just absolutely hated a bottle on the first sip, then don’t pour it away! There’s so much that you can do with leftover wine so check out our guide here.