Spirits such as vodka are famously made for a long shelf life. You can certainly store this alcoholic product for an extended period, but open bottles require specific techniques. In fact, if stored poorly, vodka can evaporate or take on an unpleasant taste. Open the bottle, you should try to preserve its quality and prevent evaporation.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Deciding Where to Store Vodka
Step 1. Decide how you would like to store the vodka
If you will use it frequently, you should look for a comfortable, dry place. If you're considering long-term storage, you won't necessarily need a practical place. Decide whether to keep it with other spirits or if you only need space for a couple of bottles. Here are some common storage methods:
- A shelf or sideboard in the kitchen.
- A liquor cabinet.
- A bar corner.
Step 2. Try to keep the bottle upright
Once you've decided where to put the vodka, see if you can store the bottle upright. In fact, placing it on its side will likely cause the alcohol to leak out, so you may want to store it elsewhere.
If it is closed with a cork, it is even more important to store it vertically. Holding it on its side is likely to have prolonged contact with the cork, so the alcohol can gradually corrode it and escape
Step 3. Look for a place that has a constant temperature
It doesn't matter if you keep it for the short or long term - the temperature shouldn't change substantially over the course of the day. It should always be around 15-18 ° C, unless you put the bottle back in the freezer.
If you want to keep it for the long term, you can opt for the cellar (unless it is near a boiler). Avoid extremely hot places, such as an attic
Step 4. If you want it to be cold, put it in the freezer
Alcohol freezes at a very low temperature, which the home freezer will never reach. If you prefer to make drinks with frozen vodka, this is the method for you. Just keep in mind that this will make it thicker and may slightly weaken the flavor.
Frozen and slightly thickened vodka is sometimes preferable, as it has a texture that envelops the mouth pleasantly
Step 5. Consider the light
Avoid storing it in direct sunlight, especially if the bottle is clear. Once the container has been opened, sunlight not only accelerates evaporation, but can also alter the taste of vodka, especially after prolonged exposure. For optimal storage, keep it in the dark.
- If you store vodka (and any other type of liquor or wine) in a dark place, make sure you have a good source of light when you need it. This way you can turn it on whenever you want to look at the collection.
- If the bottle will be slightly exposed to sunlight, wrap it with a black cloth so that it receives as little radiation as possible.
Method 2 of 3: Store the Vodka Open
Step 1. Keep the bottle closed for as long as you can
If it is not opened, it can be stored indefinitely, so you should only open it when you actually intend to drink the vodka. The alcohol begins to evaporate slowly after the seal is broken and opened.
Given the presence of alcohol, it takes several decades for an open vodka to become undrinkable
Step 2. Check the seal of the bottle
If it is closed with a cork, make sure it has been properly inserted, otherwise, if it is loose, you risk accelerating evaporation. If the container has a screw cap, check that it has been closed properly.
If the cork doesn't seem to be reliable, you may want to pour the vodka into another bottle or container
Step 3. You could pour the open vodka
If you opened the bottle and decided to store alcohol for a long time, pour it into a clean container. It should have adequate capacity for the remaining vodka, leaving very little room for air.
If you store small amounts of vodka in a large, mostly empty bottle, the alcohol will be exposed more and more to the air. Pouring it into a smaller vessel will slow down oxidation and evaporation
Step 4. Keep the vodka in a flask for short-term storage and carry with you
Almost all flasks are equipped with small funnels, so that the alcohol can be easily poured. Just be sure to drink the vodka or empty the container within 3 days, as prolonged exposure to the metal can alter the taste.
Once the flask has been emptied, rinse it and let it air dry
Method 3 of 3: Acquire Good Storage Habits
Step 1. Before drinking the vodka again, check it
If you have stored a sealed bottle for a long time, you will probably be able to drink it without problems. If it is open and you haven't drunk it for a long time, make sure it is in good condition before using it for a drink. Throw it away in the following cases:
- You notice a strange smell.
- It has an unusual or obviously bad taste.
- It looks different (cloudy or just different from the time of purchase).
Step 2. Examine the alcohol cabinet
If stored well, pure vodka can last for years. However, if it has been flavored with natural ingredients, you should check it from time to time to make sure it hasn't gone bad. It is a good idea to clean the entire alcohol cabinet approximately every 6 months, so you will feel pressured to consume alcohol with a limited shelf life or to throw away the one that has gone bad.
Liqueurs containing milk or natural flavors often have an expiration date indicated on the package. In some cases it is preferable to keep them in the fridge rather than in a cabinet
Step 3. Keep it out of the reach of children
Kids probably won't go looking for alcohol, but younger ones are curious and may find it by accident. To avoid accidents, keep them in a high place and lock the liquor cabinet.
While you trust your older children, it's best to keep the liquor cabinet under lock and key. If your child is a teenager and a friend challenges him to steal the alcohol you have at home, a closed cabinet will be a great excuse not to give in to the pressure
Step 4. If you have teenagers, keep alcohol under control
You should learn to trust them, but according to some studies, controlling alcohol sends a very specific message and imposes a strict rule: minors cannot drink. Try the following tactics:
- Mark the liquor bottles sideways to measure their level.
- Write down how many bottles of alcohol you have.
- Note the date you open a bottle.
Advice
- You shouldn't lose sleep thinking about storing vodka: other types of liqueurs have greater needs, while vodka generally lasts a long time. If you can drink it within a year or two of purchase, you can avoid most of the problems inherent in its expiration.
- If you want to keep a bottle indefinitely, make sure it hasn't been opened.
