The holidays bring with them a wide variety of wines and spirits, but many don’t know how long their favorite drinks will last once opened.
Casual drinkers will be pleased to discover that an unopened bottle of alcohol has an unlimited shelf life – and an opened bottle of spirits can be consumed for much longer.
On the other hand, wine and beer are much more finicky and should be consumed within a week after opening.
You should closely inspect opened bottles for signs of mold or insects that have gotten into them to prevent illness — and smell the drink before drinking a glass.
Most people have a liquor cabinet in their kitchen or living room, filled to the brim with alcohol for every mood and taste
How long do ghosts last?
Spirits typically have a shelf life of up to two years after a bottle is opened.
Whiskey, vodka, tequila, cognac, gin and rum all have high alcohol content with minimal sugar.
Its composition makes it an inhospitable environment for bacteria and is unlikely to oxidize (a chemical reaction that exposes the wine to oxygen) if left unopened.
However, although there are no health risks, it is essential to note that the oxidation process will cause a change in the taste and color of the drink.
It is recommended to drink an opened bottle of spirits within 12 to 18 months to retain as much of the original flavor as possible.
How long does beer last?
The fact that beer is in a can or bottle doesn’t matter much because once opened it should be gone within a day or two.
Oxidation of this particular alcohol will make the taste extremely bitter and any fizz will evaporate within a few hours.
If unopened, beer stored in the refrigerator can be kept for up to two years past its expiration date, but it is safest to double check before consuming.
The holidays bring with them a wide variety of wines and spirits, but many don’t know how long their favorite drinks will last before they are no longer safe to serve
How long does wine last?
Australian wine merchant Sean Menzes said that when a wine bottle is cracked open, oxidation takes place.
How long the alcohol lasts depends on the type of wine, how it is stored and how much is left in the bottle.
Mr Menzes told Australian alcohol retailer Dan Murphy’s that an opened bottle of white wine or rosé has a shelf life of between three and five days if kept cool in the refrigerator.
Sparkling wine only has a shelf life of one to two days after opening, so it is best to invest in a good quality bottle stopper or enjoy a bottle with others.
In winter, opened bottles of red wine can be kept for four to five days, but in summer two to three days due to the heat.
It is also recommended to store red wine in a dark place, regardless of whether it is open or closed.
Fortunately, there are a number of ways to extend the shelf life of your leftover wine.
The age-old trick of sticking a teaspoon into the neck of an opened bottle of wine doesn’t help much, so Menzes recommends buying a bottle stopper.
If you only have a glass or two left in a 750ml bottle, perhaps put it in a smaller bottle.
This reduces the surface area and amount of air in the bottle, slowing the oxidation process.
