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March 8, 2022 by Kevin
It’s a day or two after a big party you hosted (Cinco de Mayo, perhaps?) and you notice there are some leftover margarita mix buckets or bottles. Time to decide what to do with them. That’s when you start to think whether margarita mix can go bad, or how to tell if it’s past its prime. Or what is its shelf life after opening the bottle? Fortunately for you (and your wallet), margarita mixes have quite a long shelf life. Even the already opened ones retain freshness for at least a couple of weeks, but definitely not long enough to last until the next year’s Cinco de Mayo. Can Margarita Mix Go Bad? How To Tell If It’s Bad?Cocktail mixes go bad, eventually. They are (basically) water loaded with sugar and preservatives, so they stay safe to drink for years. It’s not like you’re going to wake up one day and notice there’s mold in the bottle or bucket. Chances of that happening are slim to none. Nevertheless, if you notice that the mix smells off (funny, sour, odd), or its color has changed, that’s a sure sign that it’s spoiled. Again, that doesn’t happen that often. What’s most likely to happen is that the mix degrades in quality gradually. And at a certain point, you will notice that the smell is weak and flavor of the prepared drink lacking. That’s when it’s time to discard the ready-to-mix mixture and go buy another one, or open a fresh one. Or, if you’re feeling up to the challenge, you can make your own mix and freeze it ([TYL]). Of course, you don’t have to guess for approximately how long the margarita mix will be of top quality. That’s what the date on the label is for. How Long Does Margarita Mix Last?All cocktail mixes have quite a long shelf life. When it comes to margarita mixes, they usually last between a year and a year and a half ([BB]). That period is included in the best-by date on the label. As I already mentioned, that period is only a rough estimate that’s there to help you — no need to live and die by it. If your unopened mix is already a couple of weeks or even a couple of months past that date, it’s still worth checking if it’s good enough to use. Chances of it being spoiled are slim, and the worst probable outcome is that the prepared drink won’t taste that good. If that’s the case, it’s best if you discard it. But if it turns out okay, hey, you have a whole good mix to use! Once you open the bottle or bucket, the process of quality loss speeds up. The mix should still be at peak quality for at least 6 to 8 weeks ([BB]) if you refrigerate it, possibly longer. Again, it won’t spoil after that period, but its taste won’t necessarily satisfy your taste buds. Even if the leftovers sit in your fridge for months, it makes sense to give them a chance. You might still be able to make a decent margarita. Remember to keep the test drink tiny in volume, so if it turns out not that good, you don’t waste quality Tequila. Last but not least, if you take good care of the mix, chances of it keeping peak quality for longer are much higher. Let’s talk about that. How To Store Margarita Mix?When it comes to storing non-alcoholic margarita mixes, things are super simple. Before you open the package, all you need to do is to keep it in a cool and dark place. A cabinet in the pantry is probably the best choice, but the basement or the kitchen work too. Just make sure the temperature there stays fairly even, and it doesn’t sit in sunlight if it’s in a bottle. If you want, you can keep the mix in the fridge, but it doesn’t benefit that much from being refrigerated. Once you open the mix, the leftovers should be chilled in the refrigerator and sealed tightly ([DC]). If you can’t seal the original package, transfer the mix to another bottle or a food-grade airtight container. Technically speaking, the mix can still sit at room temperature, but its quality drops much quicker. Hence most (if not all) margarita mixes come with “refrigerate after opening” statement on the label. If you were a bit overeager and prepared more margarita than needed, store it in the fridge too. In a Nutshell
References
How long can you keep a pitcher of margaritas in the fridge?Yes, margaritas on the rocks, homemade or made with mix, will stay fresh up to three days in the refrigerator. Be sure to store the margaritas without ice so it doesn't water down your cocktail.
How long do premade margaritas last?Shelf Life Tips
How long do ready-to-drink margaritas last in the refrigerator once opened? Ready-to-drink margaritas that have been continuously refrigerated will typically keep at best quality for about 4 to 6 months after opening.
How do you know when a margarita goes bad?If your margarita mix smells too sour, or otherwise smells off, it might have gone bad. Two, if there are any changes to the appearance, like discoloration or particles in the mix, it's best to throw it out. Lastly, if the flavor has changed, it's best to throw it out.
How do you store leftover margaritas?If you're freezing part or all of blended margaritas, pour them into individual jars or glasses. 1/2 pint (1 cup) mason jars work perfectly for an individual serving size; and, they have lids to make it easy to cover them and put them in the freezer. Leave them in the freezer until they're ready to serve.
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How long will a pitcher of margaritas last?
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