Does Amaretto Go Bad? What are the Shelf-Life, Storage Methods, and Spoilage Signs!

Does Amaretto Go Bad?

Finding an old bottle of Amaretto can bring back memories of good parties and gatherings with your loved ones. This almond-flavored liqueur blends effortlessly well with whiskey, vodka, rum, and brandy, easily making it the star of any party. But can you reuse that old bottle, or should you bid farewell to its sweetness?

While Amaretto has an extensive shelf life as long as the bottle is unopened, it must be used up within a few months after opening it. But you can elongate its shelf life with proper storage techniques.

If that is something you are looking for, you have landed on the right page since we shall discuss the shelf life and storage techniques of Amaretto in the following article. Without any further ado, let’s begin.

How Long Does Amaretto Lasts? 

Like other high-proof liquors and alcoholic drinks, Amaretto lasts indefinitely, provided that it is stored as recommended.

How long does unopened amaretto last? 

A bottle of Amaretto comes with a use-by date printed on its label. The date only indicates how long the liquor sustains its peak quality. The thumb rule is that your bottle of Amaretto will last indefinitely if you keep it unopened and in the best places.

How long will an opened bottle of amaretto last? 

After opening, the quality starts degrading gradually. It is best to consume Amaretto within six months after opening to enjoy the optimal flavor. But, there is no harm in consuming the drink for at least a couple of years after opening. Unfortunately, the taste and flavor would change.

Items Pantry
Unopened Amaretto 20+ Years
Opened Amaretto Up to Five Years

 

Different factors impact the longevity and shelf-life of Amaretto, and hence you must consider this when deciding if your Amaretto is still good for consumption. The above timeframes are for the best quality only as they last longer than these.

How long does Amaretto last at room temperature? 

Just like any other high-proof alcohol, Amaretto’s shelf life is basically indefinite, given that it is stored adequately. You can expect it to last for several years at room temperature if it is unopened. As soon as you open it, it shall remain at its peak quality till its best-by date.

How Long Does Amaretto Last in the Fridge? 

Storing Amaretto in the fridge is considered to be preferable, but it must be noted that it will have no effect on its shelf life. You can expect it to last for the same time as storing it at room temperature.

How Can You Tell if Amaretto Is Bad?

What are the Spoilage Signs of Amaretto

Since Amaretto has a high alcoholic content of 21-28 percent, you can assume that it won’t go bad quickly. But, many things may impact the drink in terms of taste, quality, and appearance.

If you drink it in small quantities from time to time, it is best to check the drink for any spoilage signs. Amaretto tends to go bad when it is stored in questionable conditions. Avoid drinking it further if you see any of the following spoilage signs.

Smell Change

Amaretto has a sweet, pleasant smell, and as it starts degrading, the smell changes quickly. As your Amaretto starts degrading, it won’t release a pleasant and strong smell like freshly opened Amaretto.

It is always best to discard the entire bottle if you notice any smell change in the bottle. 

Appearance

You must pour a small amount of Amaretto into a transparent shot glass to check the appearance before using it. If particles are floating on the surface of the liquor or the color has changed, discard the bottle.

It is likely to occur when you store the bottle in unfavorable conditions. So, it is better to be safe than being sorry in such cases.

Taste Change

If you have stored the opened bottle of Amaretto in unfavorable conditions, the taste will change gradually. So, you must always check the taste of the liquor before consuming it. If it has spoiled, the taste will change.

The taste changes when you don’t drink it frequently and store it in questionable conditions after opening. So, if you notice that the taste is no longer intense, it means the drink has started spoiling. But consuming it won’t make you sick.    

            

Is Amaretto safe to drink after the best-before date?

What Happens If You Drink Bad Amaretto

Expired or bad Amaretto is not a threat to your health. Consuming the liquor past its use-by date won’t make you sick. The bottle of Amaretto comes with a use-by date printed on it, but it is not the expiry date of the liquor.

The bottle of Amaretto might still be edible years after the use-by date printed on the label. The best-before date only indicates how long it will sustain its peak quality and has nothing to do with the drink’s safety.

Amaretto is a high-proof alcoholic drink that lasts indefinitely, provided that it is stored aptly. If you store the bottle well-sealed and tightly in cool and dark places, consider it safe for consumption even after the printed use-by date.

Can expired Amaretto make you sick?

You may get sick only when the smell or taste gets off due to improper storage. The sugary build-up is usually loaded with bacteria, and it may make you ill. But, it is a rare thing that happens in Amaretto.

Can You Freeze Amaretto? Refrigerated Vs. Shelf-Stable

Can You Freeze Amaretto Refrigerated Vs. Shelf-Stable

Technically, you can freeze your Amaretto, but it must be stored at a lower temperature than what a freezer normally offers. Amaretto has the highest freezing point because of the high alcoholic content.

Amaretto won’t freeze under any circumstances, thereby making the task of freezing highly tricky. Besides, freezing won’t do anything good to your Amaretto.

Even if you freeze your Amaretto, it does nothing to prolong the shelf-life and preservation, and hence it is pointless to freeze. Moreover, the alcoholic drink will expand when you freeze at a certain point.

A full unopened bottle of Amaretto may expand and explode when the liquid content expands in a freezer.

Refrigerated

Refrigeration is not a good choice for preserving your Amaretto. Refrigerating Amaretto won’t help in prolonging the shelf-life of the alcoholic drink.

Amaretto has both alcohol content and ingredients that can go bad. But, Amaretto lasts for decades before it starts going bad, provided that it is stored safe and well-sealed.

Refrigerating Amaretto won’t help extend its shelf-life and prevent it from going bad because the alcoholic drink preserves itself and the bottle keeps the contaminations at bay.

How to Thaw Amaretto?

You can thaw frozen Amaretto by shifting it from the freezer to the refrigerator. It will reach its normal consistency within a few hours.

However, it must be noted that thawing frozen Amaretto might bring some changes to its overall taste and texture. So, be prepared to experience a different taste after every freezing session.

Shelf-Stable

How long Amaretto lasts in the cabinet depends on two crucial factors, where the bottle is stored and whether it is stored opened or unopened. Both these factors influence the shelf-life of the Amaretto.

Amaretto lasts for more than two decades, provided that it is stored aptly in a sealed bottle. After opening, it keeps its peak quality for up to five years when stored well-sealed in your cabinet.

You have to keep your Amaretto in dry, cool, and dark areas of your house away from heat sources. Prolonged exposure to heat and temperature can cause Amaretto to go bad quickly.

How to Store Amaretto? 

What are the Best Storage Practices for Amaretto

Amaretto doesn’t demand much to keep its quality for years. You need to find a dark, dry and cool spot away from heat sources to store Amaretto.

Room temperature or below is always best for storing Amaretto. If you reside in areas with a hot and humid climate, ensure to keep it in a fridge or any place with a cool temperature. Amaretto doesn’t like temperature alteration, so avoid frequently taking it in and out of a fridge.

Check out some of the best storage practices to prolong the shelf-life of your Amaretto.

Preventing Oxidative Process

The oxidative process spoils alcohol and also changes the flavor and taste. So, you must prevent oxidation by closing the bottle tightly after pouring the drink each time.

If possible, transfer the drink into a small jar or bottle if you have a little left in the bottle. It will prevent exposure to air and oxidation.

Store in Airtight Container

If you transfer the leftover Amaretto to a new bottle, ensure that you choose an airtight container. The airtight container can keep the drink safe and prevent exposure to air and oxidation.

Since oxidation ruins the aroma, flavor, and taste of Amaretto, it is best to store it in an airtight container. It prevents air exposure, and hence the chance of spoilage reduces significantly.

Store Away from Heat Sources

Exposing your Amaretto to heat for a prolonged time may cause it to go rancid quickly. Amaretto is a sugary drink, and hence it won’t take long to go bad when it is exposed to heat or high temperature.

So, you must store the Amaretto in places away from heat sources. The unopened bottle of Amaretto can be kept on your living room shelf with other liquors. But it must be kept at room temperature away from heat sources.

Prevent Sugary Buildup

As mentioned, Amaretto is a sugary drink, and you must ensure that there is no sugary buildup on the edges of the bottle. It happens to every bottle of Amaretto, irrespective of its frequency.

It is important to avoid sugary buildup and keep checking it as it stimulates bacteria development. You have to keep the lid clean to prevent sugar build-up.

What are the Alternatives to Amaretto if it has gone bad? 

In case you had to throw out an old bottle of Amaretto but want something to replicate its taste, you can try the following alternatives:

  • Frangelico
  • Anisette
  • Kahlua
  • Marzipan
  • Almond extract

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Amaretto have a best-by date?

Some bottles of Amaretto come with a date printed on the label, and it states when the bottle will start to age because the aroma of Amaretto dramatically changes with time. But, you can still drink it after the date printed on the label. Unfortunately, you will experience a change in consistency and taste after that date.

What are the Factors That Impact the Shelf-Life of Amaretto?

After opening the bottle of Amaretto, you will notice a change in the flavor. It starts degrading gradually with time. The two main factors that impact the shelf-life of Amaretto are oxidation and volatility of alcohol. Amaretto comes with many volatile elements, and each time you open the bottle, it evaporates a bit. Besides, prolonged exposure to air stimulates oxidation that ruins the flavor and taste of Amaretto.

How long does homemade amaretto last? 

Homemade Amaretto should be transferred to an airtight container and sealed shut for at least a week before drinking it. You must keep it in a cool and dark place, preferably away from direct sunlight. This will help you preserve it for at least 6 months.

What’s in Amaretto sour?

Amaretto sour is a cocktail that contains Amaretto liqueur, syrup, fresh lemon juice, orange slice, and maraschino cherry.

The Bottom Line

The unique ingredients and high alcohol content give Amaretto a long shelf-life, over five years after opening and more than two decades when stored sealed. The key to keeping Amaretto longer is storing it away from moisture, heat, and light.

There are certain spoilage signs to look for before using it. Amaretto doesn’t have strict storage requirements, and it can last indefinitely, preserving the same flavor and taste.

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